In what it calls an unprecedented trial, Northrop Grumman was able to network data between one of its high-altitude MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones and stand-ins for air assets and warships. The company indicated February 13 that the trial last October is a significant step toward more effective naval operations. [node:read-more:link]
One of the most comprehensive wargame simulations about a conflict over Taiwan has prompted the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies to conclude in a report released today that a Chinese victory would be unlikely and that all participants would suffer massive casualties and crippling equipment losses. [node:read-more:link]
Leonardo U.K. has been awarded a contract for up to $1.168 billion for helicopter upgrades and to increase the CH-149 fleet size from 13 to 16 helicopters to support the national 24/7 SAR service. A second contract, worth $78 million (taxes included), went to Montreal-based global simulator giant CAE for the training solution. [node:read-more:link]
A prototype contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate’s Simulation & Technology Assessment Branch has been awarded to CAE USA. The prototype is part of an initiative with the Space Technology Advanced Research – Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware or STAR-FISH. [node:read-more:link]
The German Bundeswehr is tapping Rheinmetall's training expertise, particularly with augmented reality (AR), for training Air Force maintainer personnel in the A400M military transport aircraft. Rheinmetall will supply training rigs and state-of-the-art augmented reality systems for maintenance training on the A400M aircraft. [node:read-more:link]
Prague-based Bohemia Interactive Simulations, which works with 60 militaries worldwide, has been acquired by BAE Systems Inc. The U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems says the $200-million takeover will expand its capabilities and solidifies its systems integration strategy. [node:read-more:link]
Xerox is leading a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program which uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to improve training for military mechanics and medics. AMIGOS (Autonomous Multimodal Ingestion for Goal-Oriented Support) is funded by a $5.8-million DARPA contract which also involves U.S. and German universities and a New York-based company, Patched Reality. [node:read-more:link]
Lockheed Martin has developed a pared-down F-35 trainer with 90 per cent less hardware which could see air forces expand their training capacity at reduced cost. F-35 Mission Rehearsal Trainer Lightning Integrated Training Environment was unveiled after some 18 months of development and demonstrations to customers. [node:read-more:link]
A contract from Boeing will see CAE UK providing Poseidon MRA1 training support services to the Royal Air Force. The initial five-year contract will provide a range of instructors and console operators to support the delivery of training at the Boeing-built Poseidon Strategic Facility located at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. [node:read-more:link]
Xebec Government Services, a joint venture company of CAE USA and Pinnacle Solutions, has been awarded a contract to provide the United States Army with a new and upgraded suite of simulation systems designed to train Army personnel on a range of watercraft, including logistics support vessels, maneuver transport vessels, large landing craft, and expeditionary fast transports. [node:read-more:link]
After focusing for decades mainly on traditional training platforms, CAE is moving to diversify into the cyber and space realms. Dan Gelston, who took over CAE’s its defence and security business unit last August, also is looking to partner with defence primes early in new competitions for contracts as national defence budgets shrink. [node:read-more:link]
CAE confirmed March 1 that it is planning a $1.05 billion acquisition of L3Harris Technologies’ military training division. It evidently would position the company to be better prepared as the U.S. Air Force works on next-generation fighters and other programs. [node:read-more:link]
The U.S. Government Accountability Office says Department of Defense delays in developing a simulator for the Lockheed Martin F-35 has frustrated testing and put the brakes on full production. This is despite earlier GAO recommendations on how the long-running problem could be resolved. “Until they finalize the plan and fix the simulator, the next production milestone date—which would formally authorize DOD's transition from development to full production—remains undetermined.” [node:read-more:link]
All operators of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are expected be able to use a simulator next year to practice large-scale internationally-coordinated tactics, according to Chauncey McIntosh, the company’s vice president for F-35 training. Testing is going “very well” at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and “essentially we’re waiting just to get the accreditation from the government.” [node:read-more:link]
The Department of Defense says it will not approve Lockheed Martin’s full-rate production of the F-35 this year and that it might not do so until early 2021. The problem evidently is that there are development problems with a Joint Simulation Environment designed to evaluation the aircraft in a range of high-threat scenarios. [node:read-more:link]
