Simulation Capability Coming Soon to Advance Korean Jet Trainer

Lockheed Martin has joined hands with Korea Aerospace Industries and Red 6 Aerospace to bring the latter's Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) into the KAI TF-50.

The addition of ATARS will give pilots and operators additional training capabilities with the The system gives pilots and ground operators new capabilities to see and interact with synthetic threats in real-time, high-speed environments.

"Readiness and lethality are critical if our warfighters are to prevail against peer adversaries. Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries aircraft are ideal platforms for our Augmented Reality system. Advanced aircraft, together with ATARS technology, will deliver a paradigm shift in the quality, quantity, and cost of training future pilots," said Daniel Robinson, Founder and CEO of Red 6.

Lockheed Martin has submitted the TF-50A variant in response to a USAF RFI, offering the aircraft as a 2-seat, high-speed tactical trainer aircraft. The TF-50A would cover 3 primary missions should it be selected, much like the stalwart T-38 Talon/F-5 Freedom fighter. The TF-50A can be used for advanced flight training, as an aggressor in adversarial exercises, or even as a tactical fighter surrogate. When configured as a light attack fighter, the TF-50A is able to offer a cost-effective tactical fighter, much like the F-5 before it.

Lockheed & co. will use the TF-50A to shake out the implementation of ATARS, with future installations planned for the F-16, F-22, and F-35.

"Our vision is to help our customers leverage emerging technologies to seamlessly and securely connect all assets in the joint battlespace and enable fast and decisive action," said OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. "Lockheed Martin has made significant advances across the board in digital engineering and open architectures during the past few years, as well as strategic partnerships. These are enabling us to accelerate development, production, upgrades, responsiveness and sustainment across our platforms.

"One such example is this new partnership with Red 6, and we look forward to building advanced capabilities that support our customers' needs," added Sanchez.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com