Databases Move to Next Level In Distributed Mission Training.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 November 2000
• Author: Kutner, Joshua A.

Air Force officials agree that they would like pilots to be able to fly more hours than are currently affordable. Recent advances in simulation technology, however, help to provide a more realistic training environment than what was possible in previous simulators. A case in point is the Distributed Mission Training (DMT) program, which is gaining popularity within the service.

"Pilots are getting very few flight hours, but this augments their training," said Mary Wellik, a consultant at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), in Mesa, Ariz. Wellik told National Defense that he wanted to make it especially clear that with DMT, the Air Force is not trying to rake flight hours away from the pilots, but instead "add to their training."

DMT is raking shape at APRIL. "The concept was born at the lab," said Wellik. It is a method that incorporates advanced 3-D images and intelligence data into a training environment that allows pilots at multiple locations to practice missions together. These missions can range from individual and team exercises to flail theater-level baffles.

The Air Force recently conducted its first DMT exercise with an international partner when it flew with U.K. Tornadoes, said Wellik. Other allies have been expressing their interest in the concept, he added.

In maturing DMT, there has been a "big push" for the Air Force to collaborate with industry on research and development, said Wellik.

Collaboration

The need to acquire commercial solutions is understood and being accepted, Wellik commented. Air Force leaders already have signed agreements with Lockheed Martin Corporation and The Boeing Company so that the F-15 and F-16 fighters can take part in DMT. Boeing received a 15-year, $574 million contract to implement DMT on F-15C fighters. Lockheed Martin received $249 million for DMT on the F-16, and PLEXSYS Interface Products Inc. won a $75.6 million contract for the airborne warning and control system allotment. In 1998, AFRL proved that the two flight simulators--F-15C and F-16--could operate interactively from multiple locations. Boeing, in June 2000, demonstrated the ability to link its Joint Strike Fighter full-mission simulator to F-15s located at another site.

One of the most recent DMT contract awards was given to TRW Inc., by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Under this five-year contract, worth $284.7 million, TRW will establish, operate and maintain a networked, real-time DMT system. The company will start by...