Thomson Training & Simulation (TTS) has teamed with the UK's Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) to market a low-cost simulation system designed for military flight training, mission rehearsal and systems evaluation.
The Air Combat Evaluation System (ACES) combines manned simulators with computer-generated forces in a simulated battle environment. Uses include aircraft and weapon evaluation, tactics assessment and beyond-visual-range air combat training. A demonstration system is operational at DERA Bedford in the UK.
The PC-based ACES consists of four networked pilot stations, a two-dimensional exercise controller/tactical display, three-dimensional battlefield visualisation tool and a computer-generated forces station. TTS says the system can be expanded to include additional pilot stations, display channels or a high-end visual system.
TTS has also teamed with British Airways Flight Training to develop a flight training device, built around the company's PC-based flight management systems trainer. The fixed-base device adds aircraft systems software and flat-panel touch-screen displays.
BA plans to obtain UK Civil Aviation Authority approval to use the device as part of its ground school programme, reducing the time trainee pilots spend in a full flight simulator. The first device will represent the Airbus A320 and will complement an A320 simulator being produced by TTS for BA.
Meanwhile, TTS has received orders from four airlines for upgrades of seven full flight simulators: Gulf Air's Airbus A340 will be made convertible to an A330-200, Korean Air's A300-600 will be upgraded to Level D standard, Royal Jordanian's Airbus A310 and A320 will be uprated and British Airways' three Boeing 747-400s will receive predictive windshear capability.
On the military front, Boeing has selected TTS to help modify KC-10 simulators as part of an $80 million programme to provide a new aircrew training system for the US Air Force tanker/transport.
Source: Flight International
