November 3, 2004 – L-3 Communications' Link Simulation & Training placed an order for 25 Digital Audio Communication Systems (DACS) for the USAF's F-16 Weapons Systems Trainers (WST) upgrade project. These system upgrades will allow the F-16 WSTs to join networked training scenarios with F-16 Unit Training Devices (UTDs), which are being replaced by Link.

ASTi will supply 5 DACS for aural cueing and environmental audio simulation. The remaining 20 DACS will host the simulation network's communications environment. Pilot trainees and Instructors will control their own sets of radio assets, with intercoms providing communication both within the trainers and across the network to others. Radio effects provided by the DACS include terrain occulting, jamming, Improved Data Modem (IDM) messages, and frequency hopping. The DACS' communications audio cues supply Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) tones, as well as TACAN and ILS navigational aids.

This F-16 WST upgrade contract comes as a follow-on to previous DACS system shipped in support of the F-16 Aircrew Training Device (ATD) Rehost program in Fall 2002.

For more information, see the L-3 website:
http://www.link.com/f16atdu.html