ASTi Digital Audio Communications Systems (DACS) played a key role in the recent Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) horizontal training event, Air Warrior II, conducted in August, 2004. ASTi systems provided the simulated radio environment for the event, linking operators at live, virtual and constructive facilities spread across the US.

Under contract with the US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), ASTi delivered additional DACS platforms for the event, providing critically needed simulated radio capability to 96 operators and linking up to 24 channels of live military radio traffic to communications operators (using ASTi's Synapse Radio-Network Bridges).

ASTi also provided start-to-finish support for the event, including: conducting a site survey at Ft. Polk (LA), participating in the JFCOM planners' conference, performing on-site installation and testing services at Ft. Polk, and providing remote phone/email help desk services during the event.

Air Warrior II included over 6,000 participants. ASTi-equipped sites included:

• JFCOM Joint Training and Simulation Center (JTASC), Suffolk, VA
• Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) Simulator, Robins AFB, GA
• Battle Staff Training Facility (BSTF), MCB Quantico, VA
• B-52 Simulator, Barksdale AFB, LA
• 548th Combat Training Squadron (CTS), Barksdale AFB, LA
• 34th CTS, Little Rock AFB, AR
• AC-130U Simulator, 19th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), Hurlburt Field, FL
• JRTC Ops Center, Army Special Operations Forces (SOF), Air Force Enlisted Terminal Attack Controllers (ETAC), Ft. Polk, LA
• Task Force 3 (TF3), Ft. Polk, LA
• RTC Maneuver Area, Ft. Polk, LA. Live radio traffic from SOF operators on the ground and aircraft was bridged to the JNTC network by ASTi Synapse.

ASTi recently delivered three additional Digital Audio Communications Systems (DACS) to the US Army Simulation Center's Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab (DBBL) at Ft. Benning, GA. These systems provide simulated radio communication workstations for up to 48 battlestaff operators.

With this latest delivery, ASTi systems at the DBBL now provide capability for up to 233 operators, each accessing one or more simulated radios. The ASTi systems provide software configuration services allowing DBBL system administrators to pre-configure the entire simulated radio environment to meet the virtual battlespace communications requirements of each training or experimentation event.

The Ft. Benning Battle Lab is currently relying on ASTi communications in support of two key US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) events:

• Land Warrior Analysis of Alternatives (AoA): A company-level, virtual-constructive exercise evaluating a Stryker Brigade Combat Team platoon. August/September, 2004
• Air Assault Expeditionary Force (AAEF) experiment: Part of a major, multi-year program to evaluate new technologies and their effect on Infantry operations. September, 2004 through January, 2005

More Information
ASTi Project Example: Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab
Dismounted Infantry Training Employs ASTi Communications
Land Warrior System to Improve Soldier's Ability on Battlefield

ASTi recently provided upgrades to existing Digital Audio Communications Systems (DACS) located at the AWACS Modeling and Simulation (AMS) International facility at Tyndall AFB, FL. The system upgrades incorporate ASTi's latest hardware and software products, providing a host of enhanced features:

• Greater networked communications processing capability
• Improved simulated radio performance, including advanced encryption (COMSEC)
• Backward compatibility with integrated, customer-furnished host software
• Form and fit hardware replacement for equipment delivered in 1997; no mounting or cable changes required by customer

The latest ASTi systems installed at AMS-International provide:

• 20 AWACS Student, Instructor and Pseudo-Pilot (role player) operator stations
• 100 simulated radios
• 100 simulated intercoms for dialup and public address
• Audio and control interfaces to customer-furnished Linux PCs running voice recognition and voice synthesis applications

All of the Air Battle Manager training facilities at Tyndall AFB rely on ASTi digital communications systems. Other AMS facilities using ASTi include:

• AMS I
  • 18 AWACS Student, Instructor and Pseudo-Pilot (role player) operator stations
  • 90 simulated radios and 90 simulated intercoms
• AMS II
  • 64 AWACS Student, Instructor and Pseudo-Pilot (role player) operator stations
  • 320 simulated radios and 320 simulated intercoms
  • Live-Virtual Bridging: ASTi links virtual operators to live channels (48 originating from live aircraft radios and 5 from FAA telephone hotlines)
  • 2 display debriefing rooms
• AMS-TAC
  • 24 AWACS Student, Instructor and Pseudo-Pilot (role player) operator stations
  • 120 simulated radios and 120 simulated intercoms

More Information
Previous AMS News: AWACS Modeling and Simulation System Upgrade
ASTi Project Example: AWACS Trainer System