November 27, 2017 | International, Aerospace
Orlando, Florida, USA, November 27, 2017 - Today at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), CAE and Rockwell Collins announced a collaborative agreement to develop integrated Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) training solutions.
During I/ITSEC, CAE (Booth #1734) and Rockwell Collins (Booth #2201) will conduct several demonstrations of an integrated mission training exercise using fully connected, LVC training elements. A live-flying LVC-enabled L-29 aircraft, operated by the University of Iowa's Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), will be networked with a variety of virtual simulators and constructive forces to demonstrate an integrated, joint, multi-dimensional mission training environment.
The live, real-time LVC training exercises will take place at I/ITSEC at the following times:
Virtual participants in the demonstration will include blue force F/A-18 aircraft simulators as well an E-2 aerial surveillance platform operated in the Rockwell Collins booth, networked to Naval Combat System Simulators (NCSS) and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) desktop trainers running in the CAE booth. A variety of constructive elements representing enemy and friendly forces will be injected into the live and virtual training systems for the demonstration of immersive LVC training capabilities. Both CAE and Rockwell Collins will jointly conduct distributed command and control tasks during the exercise.
"Integrated live, virtual, constructive training is becoming more critical as defense forces look to cost-effectively maintain readiness and prepare for operational missions," said Gene Colabatistto, group president, Defense & Security for CAE. "As a training systems integrator, we are focused on supporting our customers' training and readiness requirements and recognize that cooperation and collaboration will be necessary to deliver integrated LVC training capabilities."
"As a recognized leader in aerospace solutions providing avionics for live assets and integrated virtual training systems and products, we'll be able to provide solutions to make LVC-enabled training more routine without boundaries, ultimately resulting in our military customers achieving optimal mission readiness," said Nick Gibbs, vice president and general manager of Simulation & Training Solutions at Rockwell Collins.
The demonstration at I/ITSEC will showcase how synthetic environments built on different database standards can be correlated and interoperate as part of an integrated LVC training exercise. This includes the use of synthetic data onto the Rockwell Collins L-29 pilots' integrated Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). CAE and Rockwell Collins will also utilize the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) and High-Level Architecture (HLA) industry standard networking protocols to link LVC assets.
About CAE
CAE's Defense & Security business unit focuses on helping prepare our customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness. We are a world-class training systems integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of training centers, training services and simulation products across the air, land, naval and public safety market segments. We serve our global defense and security customers through regional operations in Canada; the United States/Latin America; Europe/Africa; and Asia-Pacific/Middle East, all of which leverage the full breadth of CAE's capabilities, technologies and solutions.
CAE is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets. Backed by a 70-year record of industry firsts, we continue to help define global training standards with our innovative virtual-to-live training solutions to make flying safer, maintain defense force readiness and enhance patient safety. We have the broadest global presence in the industry, with over 8,500 employees, 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. Each year, we train more than 120,000 civil and defence crewmembers and thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide. www.cae.com
Follow us on Twitter: @CAE_Inc and @CAE_Defence
About Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in aviation and high-integrity solutions for commercial and military customers around the world. Every day we help pilots safely and reliably navigate to the far corners of the earth; keep warfighters aware and informed in battle; deliver millions of messages for airlines and airports; and help passengers stay connected and comfortable throughout their journey. As experts in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, cabin interiors, information management, mission communications, and simulation and training, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that can transform our customers' futures. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @RockwellCollins
April 7, 2023 | International, C4ISR
The Army's capability set venture kicked off in 2021, with special attention paid to infantry. Additional batches of gear are expected every two years.
July 27, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval
By: David B. Larter WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier-borne tanker drone, the MQ-25 Stingray, is preparing to head into the fall resuming test flights, this time with the crucial fuel store pod attached. The store pod — the same one integrated into the Navy's stalwart F/A-18 Super Hornet for aerial refueling — was recently integrated into the MQ-25 test article under the wing. “When we resume flight testing later this year, we'll have the opportunity to gather test points about the aerodynamics of that pod and the software commands that control it — all happening well before we deliver the Navy's first MQ-25 jet with the same pod,” MQ-25 program director Dave Bujold said in a statement from the aircraft's manufacturer, Boeing. “That early testing and early software development is a big part of supporting the Navy's goal to get MQ-25 to the fleet as quickly as possible,” he added. The engineers will primarily observe the aerodynamics of the pod mounted on the Stingray test article, then seeing how the hose and drogue behave while being dragged behind the airframe. Possible delays In June, Defense News reported that the MQ-25 could face a three-year testing delay if it doesn't get its designated test ships through the required modernizations on time, a possibility the Navy said was remote. Two carriers — Carl Vinson and George H.W. Bush — have limited windows to complete the installation of unmanned aircraft control stations, and if operational commitments intervene, the program could experience significant problems, according to Navy officials and a government watchdog report. “Program officials stated that, among other things, the Navy's potential inability to maintain its schedule commitments could require modifications to the contract that would impact the fixed-price terms,” the Government Accountability Office reported. “Specifically, the Navy faces limited flexibility to install MQ-25 control centers on aircraft carriers. “If the Navy misses any of its planned installation windows, the program would have to extend MQ-25 development testing by up to 3 years. According to officials, such a delay could necessitate a delay to initial capability and result in a cost increase.” The Navy's MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone took its first flight Sept. 19, a historic step toward integrating an unmanned aircraft into the service's powerful strike arm. Navy officials say a three-year delay is “extremely unlikely”; however, the Navy has struggled in recent years to balance its modernization schedules with operational commitments, a problem that its “Optimized Fleet Response Plan” deployment rotation scheme was supposed to address. Ultimately, a delay would further push back the Navy's ability to extend its carrier air wing's range through unmanned tanking, critical to keeping the service's powerful strike arm relevant against long-range guided munitions. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/07/24/boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone/
January 18, 2019 | International, Aerospace
The MOD has awarded a five-year, multi-million-pound deal to Leonardo Helicopters (UK) for the support of the existing fleet of 50 Apache attack helicopters. Defence Minister Stuart Andrew announced the £293 million contract with Leonardo Helicopters during a visit to the company's site in Yeovil where some of the vital work on the aircraft will take place. The Apache AH MK1 Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract will maintain the fleet until it's out of service date in March 2024. The Apache MK1 is being incrementally replaced by the latest Apache AH-64E aircraft that will begin entering service with the British Army in 2022. The new AH-64E model will have improved sensors and avionics as well as greater performance that will enable the Army to sustain its battle-winning capabilities in future operations. Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said: The Apache has provided years of crucial battlefield support to UK and coalition troops in operations in Libya and Afghanistan. This multi-million-pound contract will ensure our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this vital capability as we integrate the latest Apache model into service in 2022. The IOS contract secured by Defence Equipment and Support, the MOD's procurement agency, includes deep maintenance, repair and overhaul of the MK1 aircraft as well as the provision of technical and spares support. The contract has been awarded in three tranches, to maintain value for money, with this latest investment covering the final five years of the fleet in service. Full article: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/293-million-deal-for-apache-fleet