October 17, 2006 – ASTi was awarded a contract by L-3 Communications to provide Telestra Model Builder Visual voice communication systems for seven Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) trainers, and three PMATS Brief/Debrief (BDB) systems. The PMATS program is designed to enable Predator unmanned aerial vehicle pilots and sensor operators to undergo initial qualification, as well as mission qualification and rehearsal.

Each PMATS trainer comprises a simulated Predator Ground Control Station (GCS) with pilot, sensor operator, multi-function workstation (MFW) operator positions, and an Instructor Station with two instructor positions. The Brief/Debrief system consists of a single instructor operator position and external speaker positions.

One interesting aspect of the Predator communications system solved by ASTi's Telestra platform is the required simulation of the GCS operator's remote use of an onboard aircraft radio. The GCS connects to the Predator radio via satellite link-up, which introduces delays in the transmission and reception of audio. The Predator can then relay voice and data from the satellite link to local assets using its ARC-210 multi-mode radio. Telestra's SATCOM server provides instructor-settable radio delays that mimic those found in real-world satellite communications. This, along with MBV's built-in, extremely-accurate modeling of the complex ARC-210 radio head, provides a truly realistic training environment.