November 3, 2004 – This fall, ASTi received a sizable equipment contract from L-3 Communications' Link Simulation & Training for use in the U.S. Army's latest, large-scale helicopter flight training initiative: Flight School XXI (FSXXI). Over the coming years, the FSXXI program will bring a vast array of new pilot training and rotor-wing platform simulation capabilities to the U.S. Army Aviation Center, Ft. Rucker, AL. ASTi's systems will provide the communications and environmental audio for FSXXI simulators.

Link Simulation & Training will supply all of FSXXI's Advanced Aircraft Virtual Simulators (AAVSs) and Reconfigurable Training Devices (RCTDs) which will ultimately simulate the Army's AH-64D Apache Longbow, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, UH-60A/L Blackhawk, and CH-47D Chinook aircraft. The AAVS systems will comprise a number of Operational Flight Trainers (OFTs) and Instrument Flight Trainers (IFTs), while the RCTDs will offer the ability to quickly switch cockpit configurations between aircraft platforms.

This first order calls for 20 Digital Audio Communication Systems (DACS) and 10 Telestra systems.

Twelve (12) DACS will provide radio and networked comms for the AAVS IFT and OFT trainers, including: multiple simulated radios & receivers, network intercoms, navigational aids, and tactical data link (TDL) simulation. These DACS will also provide aural cueing for aircraft engines, rotor, airflow, gears, and more. The AAVSs will also employ 10 Telestra systems offering high-fidelity HF and automatic link establishment (ALE) radio propagation servers, as well as web-based, remote management capability.

The RCTD manned modules are similar to those used on the AVCATT-A program, and will use seven (7) DACS for communications and audio. As they are reconfigurable, each RCTD aircraft simulation will include the radio assets, navigational aids, etc. that are applicable to the specific platform. In addition to simulating communications, the RCTDs will have environmental cue modeling. Engines, rotors, aero noise, weapons, etc. are all accurately simulated for each aircraft type. Finally, one (1) additional DACS system will provide network comms to the RCTD Instructor/Operator Station (IOS).

L-3 employees completed a three-day training course at ASTi's Herndon, VA facility in mid-October as a follow-on to the original equipment order. ASTi expects to receive more follow-on contracts as the Flight School XXI program continues to mature at the Army Aviation Center.

For more information about FSXXI, see:
L-3 FSXXI Press Release
FSXXI Simulation Services Requirements Document (SSRD), PEO STRI
"Transforming With a Changing World", Military Training Technology
"Army to Outsource Rotary-Wing Pilot Training", National Defense