Through contractor AMEWAS, Inc., ASTi delivered one (1) new Digital Audio Communications System (DACS) and software upgrades for eight (8) existing DACS to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Patuxent River, MD. The DACS platforms provide simulated communications for the EC-130H "Compass Call" simulator at the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF). The EC-130H Compass Call aircraft applies electronic countermeasures to enemy communications and command & control systems in support of tactical air operations.

ASTi coordinated with NAWCAD to upgrade software on existing systems to ensure they meet updated trainer requirements. The ASTi-configured communications model allows 40 operators distributed among nine rooms to communicate over four dedicated, simulated radio nets. The Compass Call simulator also features:

• Aircraft cockpit chamber with pilot and copilot positions
• Simulated flight deck lab with 4 operator positions
• Simulated aircraft rear lab with 10 operator positions

The US Army at Ft. Knox, KY recently received four (4) additional DACS platforms for use in its Mounted Warfare Testbed (MWTB). The ASTi systems are configured to provide maximum flexibility and capability to meet the ever changing simulated communications requirements of the MWTB laboratory environment.

The MWTB operates under the Unit of Action Maneuver Battle Lab (UAMBL) directorate. The UAMBL, a Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) chartered lab, leads the development program for the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) for the Unit of Action. The facility provides a simulated combined arms battlefield environment, with which experimenters can evaluate weapon system concepts, tactics and doctrine.

ASTi has been providing networked-simulated radio communications to Ft. Knox since 1997. A typical MWTB event requires a cluster of DACS systems, providing 120 operator comms stations and hundreds of DIS network radios.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems ordered a DACS system for battlefield audio and radio communications simulation performed at the Army Research Institute (ARI) Infantry Forces Research Unit (IFRU), Ft. Benning, GA.

ARI is the Army's primary laboratory for behavioral and social sciences, where the major task is research and analysis of personnel performance and training. ARI's research and analysis contributes to the entire life cycle of recruiting, selection, assignment, training, and mission performance.

ARI's new DACS employs a custom, ASTi-developed radio communications model serving cell and Instructor/Operator stations. With an additional interface to a PC sound card, the DACS incorporates realistic training background audio from the lab's master battlefield station.

ASTi shipped ten (10) DACS systems to Lockheed Martin for use at the USAF's Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC), Kirtland AFB, NM. These new systems have been allotted to two current projects at DMOC: The Control and Reporting Center (CRC) Simulation Packages (CSP) and the Next Generation Threat Systems (NGTS). The DACS will be the center of all radio and audio communications for these projects. DMOC's mission is "to develop and support tactical synthetic battlespace events for combat aerospace forces".