BAE Systems is demonstrating how the concept of Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) can be practiced by the United States Air Force’s T-X Trainer program using its Hawk Advanced Jet Training System (AJTS).
The demonstration took place recently at the 2011 I/ITSEC training and simulation conference in Orlando, Florida.
The BAE Systems Mission Training Team, supporting the Hawk AJTS program, has developed a scenario to demonstrate the Company’s capabilities in creating operational training scenarios utilising commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products and integrating them to provide the best training experience for each participant.
The aim of the scenario is to demonstrate how introducing both simple and complex DMO scenarios into training can help provide many learning points for student pilots.
These types of synthetic exercises provide a training environment that can be accessed from remote and widespread locations, and can be quickly adjusted in complexity to accommodate the capabilities of the trainees.
This means that student pilots can undertake ongoing development and training from their respective bases.
The Joint Fires scenario being demonstrated at I/ITSEC features an operational mission carried out within the vicinity of Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.
Three Hawk aircraft participated in the training exercise; one aircraft configured in the air-to-ground role supported by two additional Hawk aircraft in the Defensive Counter Air role.
The mission was orchestrated by BAES providing a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) to coordinate the strike and with pre- and post-strike reconnaissance undertaken by a Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS).
Other participants in the exercise were computer generated F16C aircraft providing Defensive Counter Air protecting the attacking aircraft and the RPAS.
Offensive forces include Surface to Air Missiles, mobile Anti Aircraft Artillery and ground forces and equipment.
BAES is planning to offer the Hawk AJTS, tailored to meet the needs of the USAF, as a potential replacement for the T-38 trainer aircraft.
BAES has teamed with Northrop Grumman to compete in the T-X program.
BAES will prime while NG will serve as the manufacturing partner for the new Hawk aircraft—Defpro.com.