24 Jul 24. Airbus to build simulator for NATO tanker fleet. Airbus secured a contract at Farnborough 2024 to build a Full Mission Flight simulator for the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF). (Airbus)
Airbus has secured a contract from NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to build a Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF), the company announced at Farnborough International Airshow 2024 on 23 July.
Spanning 10 years, the simulation and training contract includes the provision of an Airbus A330 MRTT FMS, encompassing a Full Flight Simulator, an Air-to-Air Refuelling Operation Station, and an Original Equipment Manufacturer Data Package for the six MMF countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway.
The FMS will be based at the Air Mobility Training Centre in Rijen, the Netherlands, replicating the flight and refuelling operations of the A330 MRTT aircraft. CAE has been selected as the primary subcontractor.
In addition to the simulator, Airbus will offer maintenance, operation, and training services. The contract also encompasses several other services packages, although the FMS package is the main offering.
An Airbus spokesperson informed Janes that the company will be “responsible for the delivery and setup of these simulators during the first three years of the contract, followed by their maintenance and operation activities for the next two years after the Ready for Training phase. Additional services for the operation and training of pilots and air-to-air refuelling operators (AROs) may be added at any time for up to ten years”. The spokesperson did not disclose the contract value. (Source: Janes)
24 Jul 24. Training next generation Air Combat AI. Cubic Defense, the world’s leading provider of advanced air combat training, is honored to be part of the distinguished team of academia, government, and private industry partners collaborating in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program.
Utilizing a specially modified F-16 equipped with autonomous AI control known as the X-62A or VISTA (Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft), the DARPA ACE program strives to increase trust in combat autonomy by using human-machine collaborative dogfighting as its challenge problem. The program increases realism to measure, increase and predict human trust during combat autonomy performance – creating safer and more reliable applications for defense and commercial aircraft.
“The potential for autonomous air-to-air combat has been imaginable for decades, but the reality has remained a distant dream up until now. In 2023, the X-62A broke one of the most significant barriers in combat aviation. This is a transformational moment, all made possible by breakthrough accomplishments of the X-62A ACE team,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.
To generate optimum follow-on maneuvering in real world conditions, the X-62A’s AI engine integrated high-fidelity Time Space Position Information (TSPI) from Cubic’s SLATE (Secure Live Virtual and Constructive Advanced Training Environment) system. With SLATE equipped on both the X-62A and the piloted F-16, the program achieved the first-ever in-air tests of AI algorithms autonomously flying within-visual-range combat scenarios against a human-flown F-16.
“The ACE program embodies state-of-the-art technology with a modern, complex use case to solve real-world problems at an exponential rate,” said Paul K. Averna, Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Training Solutions for Cubic Defense. “In addition to TSPI data, SLATE injects synthetic entities and computer-generated forces into operational scenarios—bringing the realistic pacing of multi-domain, high-end threat environments to the live cockpits and operator consoles. Tomorrow’s fight will be different; our Joint and Coalition operators deserve a fully vetted system that ensures combat readiness today and in the future with AI-enabled platforms.”
23 Jul 24. An MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is once again supporting the U.S. Navy during its Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, this time for RIMPAC 2024. RIMPAC 2024, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, started on July 8, 2024, and continues operations through the month in areas throughout Hawaii.
GA-ASI’s SeaGuardian is a maritime derivative of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and remains the first UAS that offers multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) as an internal payload that can search the ocean’s surface and depths in support of Fleet Operations. SeaGuardian is also providing real-time ISR data feeds to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Command Center using advanced long-range targeting capabilities, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) parametrics, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) acoustic and tracking data, and full-motion video to the watch floor and intelligence centers as well as to surface, air, and subsurface exercise participants for real-time dynamic tasking and targeting in support of cooperative kill-chain execution.
SeaGuardian arrived at RIMPAC 2024 with more than 8,000 hours flown showcasing all operational payloads, which includes the SeaVue Multi-role radar from Raytheon, an RTX business, SNC’s Electronic Support Measures (EMS) solution, as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS), and a self-contained ASW. This year, GA-ASI is introducing its Sonobuoy Dispensing System, demonstrating the deployment of A-size sonobuoys from a UAS for monitor and control. Additional SeaGuardian capabilities include a GA-ASI-developed Lynx® Multi-mode Maritime Radar, a high-definition Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) imaging system, and Link 16.
SeaGuardian’s multi-domain capabilities allows it to flex from mission to mission and pass real-time sensor data directly to the Fleet through Link 16 and satellite feeds to the shore-based command and intelligence centers. During RIMPAC, the MQ-9B is effectively passing ISR&T information to various surface and air units, such as the Nimitz-class carrier USS CARL VINSON, Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG), Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), frigates, patrol boats, P-8s, P-3s, and numerous other U.S. and foreign units taking part in the exercise.
22 Jul 24. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that its new military multi-engine training aircraft — built upon the versatile and reliable Beechcraft King Air 260 — is making its show and European debut at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA). The aircraft will be on display Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26, at Stand A031 to offer military delegations, members of the media and aviation enthusiasts a first look at the company’s next-generation training aircraft.
This state-of-the-art aircrew training aircraft was selected in 2023 following a full and open competition to modernize aircrew training for the United States Navy’s Multi-Engine Training System (METS) program. Deliveries in support of the up to 64 METS aircraft contracted by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) began on April 22, 2024. On May 29th at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries’ annual defence industry tradeshow (CANSEC), Canada announced it will acquire the Beechcraft King Air 260 for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in support of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program in Canada.
“The Beechcraft King Air 260 provides an excellent value for military multi-engine training due to its acquisition and operation cost, combined with excellent speed, range and payload capacity,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation. “This state-of-the-art aircrew training aircraft is currently serving the United States Navy’s fleet and is ready to support the modernization of military multi-engine training worldwide.”
Specific capabilities of the aircraft include factory options for TACAN (air-to-air), angle of attack (AOA), V/UHF radio, digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, condition-based maintenance plus, observer/jump seat, passenger mission seats and full-face oxygen masks.
Textron Aviation returns to FIA as the industry leader with more than 1,700 Cessna and Beechcraft turbine aircraft based in Europe and more than 250,000 aircraft delivered worldwide.
Endless Special Missions Possibilities
When government, military and commercial customers want airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation. The company’s aviation solutions provide the high performance and flight characteristics required to address the unique challenges of special missions operations. With unparalleled quality, versatility and low operating costs, Textron Aviation products are ideal for air ambulance; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); utility transport; aerial survey; flight inspection; training and a number of other special operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)