AgustaWestland and Boeing have conducted a proof-of-concept demonstration involving real and simulated British Army Apache AH1 attack helicopters to show the integration of live and virtual training. The exercise was led by joint venture Aviation Training International (ATIL), which provides the UK's Apache instruction.
The demonstration, in September/October, was designed to further UK Ministry of Defence efforts to develop a seamless live, virtual and constructive (computer-generated) training environment, says Boeing. Five scenarios covered live shooters on live and virtual targets, virtual shooters on live targets and the co-operative engagement of live and virtual targets by both live and virtual shooters.
An Apache AH1 and three vehicles took part at the Middle Wallop Army Air Corps base, all equipped with AgustaWestland's Helicopter Collective Training System, which provides laser designation and kill sensing for training. Also involved were ATIL's Apache dual-dome full mission simulator at Middle Wallop, and field-deployable simulators at RAF Dishforth and RAF Wattisham, all connected by wide-area network.
After taking off from Middle Wallop, the real Apache was joined in formation by the simulated helicopters and led the attack, the demonstration involving the handover of target information between real and simulated Apaches. "The live shooter lased a live target for a virtual shooter and a virtual shooter 'lased' a live target for the live shooter," says Boeing. "It was a successful demonstration of the integration of live and virtual and another step in the blurring of training continuum," says Keith Hertzerberg, general manager of training systems and services.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
