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A new tool for fighter pilot training: Weapon System Simulation in Flight

Le Bourget, 01 June 2003

The purpose of the project Weapon System Simulation in Flight (WaSiF) is to design, implement and demonstrate an on-board embedded simulation system allowing the training of aircrew against simulated adversaries, in a virtual scenario including a threat environment, while flying on a real aircraft. WaSiF is a Research Technology Program (RTP11.12) funded by the Ministries of Defense of Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey under the framework of the EUCLID MoU. All nations but Turkey are members of the military Eurotraining group for Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT). On-board “embedded” simulation and “virtual” scenarios are current topics of high interest in aircrew training. The objective is a more effective and realistic front-line aircrew training in the current situation of limited training ranges and increasing cost of flight hours, as well as early introduction to modern combat operations during the advanced aircrew training syllabus.

The system is designed and developed by a consortium lead by EADS Military Aircraft, Munich and including AerMacchi of Italy, Dutch Space and NLR of

The Netherlands, OGMA and INETI of Portugal and Tubitak/Marmara Research Center of Turkey. The present WaSiF system to be demonstrated is focused on air-to-air beyond visual range engagements and allows combat mission training during standard peace-time training exercises of fighter aircraft in varying force compositions, in the presence of ground-to-air threats such as surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and using electronic counter measures or electronic protection measures (ECM/EPM).

Within the current research program dubbed “In-Flight Demonstration of Embedded Simulation for Training Purposes On-Board Fighter Aircraft” EADS Military Aircraft has further developed and adopted its own basic software for WaSiF (pat.pend.) to serve as core software to be installed in the Italian Air Force-owned and AerMacchi-operated MB339CD test bed.

The basic technology consists of the autonomous on-board real-time simulation of both computer-generated forces (Air/Air, Surface/Air) and the presentation of the simulated air-to-air scenario on existing cockpit displays.

The system is composed by a dedicated on-board simulation computer with the high processing power needed to run the simulation of the own weapon system, of the adversaries and their weapon systems, of the ground threats, as well as to manage the simulation and interface with the aircraft’s avionics. The simulation computer, derived from equivalents in use for ground simulation, is provided by Concurrent Computer Corp. and Mektron Systems Ltd. The simulation system is fully integrated with the aircraft’s avionics and the aircrew operates radar, electronic warning and protection system and medium range missiles as if they were actually installed on the aircraft.

The system is now fully tested, and installation and ground tests onboard the MB339CD aircraft are complete. The modern full-digital avionics based on a MIL1553 bus make the MB339CD an appropriate flying testbed for this program. In addition, being a two seater, it will allow demonstration flights to pilots without the need for conversion to type.

The contracted results will be demonstrated with flight test and flight demonstration this July of this year. The program will be finished by end of September 2003.

On-board Tactical Simulation is already a requirement for the future Advanced European Jet Pilot Training:

WaSiF is one step in developing the technology base and capability to fulfil this requirement.

EADS is a global aerospace and defence company and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues, having achieved EUR 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technology, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. Its family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, the space company Astrium and MBDA, the world’s second largest missile company. EADS is the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. The company has over 70 sites in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain. It is active in many regions worldwide, including the U.S., Russia and Asia.

Your contact:

EADS Military Aircraft
Wolfram Wolff
Tel: +49 (0)89 607-25711
Fax: +49 (0)89 607-22455
E-mail: wolfram.wolff@m.eads.net