Tue, May 06, 2003
Six Thousand Horsepower Respond to Every Move: Don't Screw
Up!
Environmental Tectonics Corporation has just
unveiled the Authentic Tactical Flight Simulator Model 400 [ATFS
400], the world's first ground-based simulator capable of
creating a truly authentic simulated tactical maneuvering
environment. Utilizing the proprietary centrifuge and simulation
technology developed and enhanced by ETC over the past two decades,
high-fidelity models of the airplane's dynamic performance, the
threats and other battle space factors are integrated into the
motion controls to create a fully authentic flight environment for
any specific combat aircraft.
The ATFS 400 holds the distinction of being the world's highest
performance manned centrifuge. Powered by a six thousand horsepower
motor, the design of this high-fidelity dynamic motion system
demonstrates the unique expertise of ETC in centrifuge engineering.
Combining high bandwidth technology with ETC's proprietary
G-Point(TM) technology enables the ATFS 400 to simulate the precise
dynamic forces and moments corresponding to the response of a
specific fighter to pilot inputs in tactical maneuvering.
It can be anything...
The ATFS 400 versatility is further enhanced by the modular
cockpit design. Installing an aircraft-specific modular cockpit and
virtual simulation software enables the ATFS 400 to be reconfigured
in less than two hours to simulate any specific operational
aircraft. Each modular cockpit is equipped with it's own unique
wide field-of-view visual system, specific cockpit instruments and
flight controls.

95% off 'retail price,' and it's inherently safer
ATFS creates an authentic environment for tactical pilots to
polish their skills to fly to the "edge of the envelope" without
the risk of a mishap loss -- and at a cost per unit of hands-on
experience barely five percent of airborne training. Building
expertise in a safe, low-cost simulated environment hedges the bet
against the risk of mishap -- a costly and deadly consequence of
making a mistake in tactical maneuvering. ATFS 400 provides the
added advantage of challenging the combat pilot to fly and fight
against realistic combat threats before they take to the air.
ATFS 400 will revolutionize the way tactical pilots learn and
maintain their skills. Networked with another ATFS or other high
fidelity simulators, the ATFS 400 will be able to provide tactical
pilots the most authentic experience short of actual combat.
Hands-on experience is the acknowledged best way to hone combat
piloting skills to a sharp edge. By flying their own and potential
adversary aircraft to the edge of the aircraft performance
envelope, tactical pilots can build the insight to win their first
fight -- and every fight ATFS 400 promises to improve combat
readiness, enhance safety and save the taxpayers hundreds of
millions of dollars annually by reducing training costs, decreased
qualifying time, lowering the dropout rate and reducing risk of
aircraft mishaps. ATFS will add more "hands-on time", augmenting
the flying time sharply limited today by a smaller force size and
budget constraints.
Not just for airlines any more...
The use of authentic simulators has transformed pilot training
and testing in commercial airlines with a powerful return on
investment. ETC believes a similar market will emerge for ETC's
ATFS 400 as military leaders come to recognize the cost, safety and
readiness advantages of authentic tactical pilot simulator
training. (ETC estimates a potential market of more than 100
simulators with a market value of approximately 2 billion
dollars.)
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