L-3 Division Awarded $34 Million Contract

L-3 Communications' Link Simulation and Training division has won a $34 million contract from Boeing to build and upgrade flight simulators that will be used to train F/A-18 aircrews operating from Naval Air Station Oceana, VA. Two expected program options will grow total program value to an anticipated $46 million over three years. Under the current award, Link will build one new F/A-18E/F Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT), upgrade an existing F/A-18E/F TOFT with Link's SimuSphere™ visual system display, and modify one 40-foot F/A-18C Weapons Tactics Trainer (WTT) dome simulator to the latest F/A-18E/F aircraft configuration. All of the trainers will be housed at NAS Oceana.

The first option requires Link to upgrade the second F/A-18C WTT dome at NAS Oceana to an F/A-18E/F aircraft configuration. The second option requires Link to make significant hardware upgrades to one of the fielded F/A-18E/F TOFTs, including changing the cockpit aft seat configuration and upgrading existing host computer and instructor operator station technology with a more modern, cost-effective personal computer solution. All work on the program is slated for completion in 2006.

"It is key that F/A-18E/F aircrews have the opportunity to train in simulators that deliver the same look, feel and operational characteristics of this advanced strike fighter aircraft," said Gary Nesta, vice president of training devices programs for Link Simulation and Training. "We will meet this goal by upgrading trainers that incorporate actual F/A-18E/F operational flight program data, advanced visual simulation technologies and a networking capability that supports team training exercises."

The new and upgraded F/A-18E/F TOFTs, integrated with seven-facet SimuSphere™ visual system displays, will provide aircrews with out-the-window imagery over a 300º horizontal by 130º vertical field-of-view. Each F/A-18E/F TOFT also will be integrated with Link's SimuView™ personal computer image generation system, which uses the latest in video, data base and distributed processing technologies to deliver highly realistic imagery of terrain, sky, moving models and special effects. The two F/A-18E/F TOFTs will be networked to support multi-aircraft combat readiness training.

The upgraded F/A-18E/F WTT dome simulators also will be integrated with a new technology visual system that includes Link's SimuView™ image generation system, a state-of-the-art target projection system, and an advanced laser projection system developed by Link team member Jenoptik LDT GmbH. The F/A-18E/F WTT domes, which offer aircrews a 360º field-of-view, will be networked to the new F/A-18E/F TOFT and allow for high fidelity audio communication between all pilots, weapon system officers and instructors.

Aircrews will improve their air-to-air combat skills by interacting with a wide range of simulated adversaries presented by the trainers and enhance their air-to-ground skills by countering simulated surface-to-air missiles, antiaircraft artillery and early warning radar sites.

FMI: www.L-3Com.com