Tactical flight simulator has been commissioned at NASTAR center

Citation

(2009), "Tactical flight simulator has been commissioned at NASTAR center", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781aaf.010

Tactical flight simulator has been commissioned at NASTAR center

Article Type: Mini features From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 1

The ATFS-400 Phoenix is a high fidelity, interactive, virtual tactical air combat maneuvering flight simulator that is integrated into a state-of-the-art high performance “flyable” centrifuge motion platform. Its design enables it to authentically simulate the dynamic performance, mission systems and interactive elements of a specific type and model of aircraft in tactical environments. The ATFS-400 Phoenix precisely replicates real world aircraft and threat dynamics. Pilot inputs are processed by the aeromodel to simultaneously drive the virtual (sight and sound) cues and command the multi-axis centrifuge to correctly produce the sustained G-forces that the pilot would experience while flying the actual aircraft. The ATFS-400 Phoenix authentically simulates the flight dynamics providing the virtual cues, visual fidelity, and physical stresses experienced during combat maneuvers correlated to the specific tactical aircraft. In short, the ATFS-400 Phoenix is the new technology in high-performance aircraft simulation, providing realistic combat air training.

The ATFS-400 Phoenix design integrates four proprietary systems developed by ETC over nearly three decades: the high performance human centrifuge motion platform; the G-POINTING motion control system to create authentic sustained G cuing based on the pilot’s flight control inputs; the Virtual Battlespace to support multi-aircraft training operations with programmable targets and threats; and the interchangeable cockpit module to support high fidelity, aircraft specific training.

ETC’s cockpit modules provide for unprecedented training flexibility. The cockpit module allows tactical pilots to train in their specific weapons system. Cockpit modules are easily interchangeable in the ATFS-400™ Phoenix, by two people in about 1 h.

Each cockpit module can function as a stand-alone operational flight simulator when not installed in the ATFS-400 Phoenix. The cockpit module size, weight and ruggedness is said to make it an ideal expeditionary trainer that can deploy to combat zones with fighting units for in-theater training and mission rehearsal. Each cockpit module is HLA compatible so it can be data linked with each other, with the ATFS-400 Phoenix and with existing HLA compatible simulators. Whether as standalone, stationary operational flight simulator, part of a network of data linked cockpit modules operating in a common battlespace, or part of the ATFS-400 Phoenix motion-based, high-G tactical flight simulator system, cockpit modules are believed to be the solution to flight training challenges.