The 5,000^th system was part of a 36 system shipment to L-3 Communications, Link Simulation & Training (Arlington, TX) for the US Army's Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT-A). In 2007, ASTi was selected to upgrade the original ASTi systems from DACS/Model Builder equipment to the Telestra 4/ACE product line. The simulated sound and communications solution features include:

• High fidelity radio modeling
• SINCGARS
• Data Link
• Terrain Occulting
• 3D Sound
• Record/playback
• DIS communications
• CCTT interoperability
• Diskless Operation
• Enhanced security and NIAP approved Operating System
• ACENet network-based audio distribution architecture

Thanks go out to all our customers who have helped make ASTi products a success. As we strive for the 6,000 mark, we'll continue our focus on making you the customer successful through top-notch support and cost effective products that meet your needs. We are looking forward to shipping ASTi's 6,000^th system to one of you!

The systems, based on ASTi's Telestra 4 technology, provide the Air Force with the capability to bridge voice traffic between live operations communications systems and airmen and exercise support staff operating ASTi simulated radio systems installed in modeling and simulation facilities. The ASTi communications systems at PACAF are also capable of intercommunicating with distributed training sites through wide area networks like the Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) network. ASTi systems form the voice communications backbone of the JNTC, supporting distributed military exercises that provide training, experimentation, testing and mission rehearsal capabilities to US and partner coalition forces.

ASTi is under contract to provide a complete customer support package to PACAF, including: onsite installation and training courses in Hawaii and Korea for system administrators and battlestaff and a technical support contract for ongoing assistance.

• Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF)
• Advanced System Integration Laboratory (ASIL)
• Surface/Aviation Interoperability Laboratory (SAIL)

The new communications systems are connected to the Global Information Grid (GIG), the DoD network backbone, for inter–communication with ASTi–equipped flight simulators at Patuxent River and other ASTi systems at NAWC sites such as Point Mugu NAS and China Lake NAWS.

These latest generation Synapse systems incorporate several key features that are critical to NAWC communications requirements:

• Security and Information Assurance: The ASTi system configuration at Patuxent River is designed to meet Navy guidelines for connection to multiple networks, operating at multiple security levels. Also, Navy system administrators reported that information assurance (IA) accreditation, which is required prior to device connection to the GIG, went smoothly because the ASTi systems are built on Red Hat Enterprise Linux® — the most certified operating system available.
  
  
• ACENet Audio Distribution: ASTi has developed a highly elegant method of distributing digitized audio and control signals between central processing nodes and endpoint digital–analog modules. Product–named ACENet, this audio distribution innovation employs standard Ethernet switch technology and facilitates use of port–based VLANs for greater configurability and flexibility and fiber media for increased security and distance. This enabled the Navy to install the new ASTi system without significant changes to their infrastructure, saving time and money.
  
  
• ASTi ACE Studio and Remote Management System: The system is comprised of 17 network host nodes, called Targets that are installed across a huge facility. The entire system can be configured and managed over the network using a single ASTi ACE Studio system, installed at a tech control site. ACE Studio incorporates a powerful suite of ASTi software applications offering network–based configuration, management and monitoring utilities. Also included is ASTi’s Remote Management System (RMS), which provides complete visibility and control of the ASTi systems via a specialized web server built into every Target. Navy system administrators can access RMS from any point on the network using a standard web browser.
  
  
• Backward compatible with older ASTi ancillary hardware: The new system was installed to update an ASTi system installed around 2001. ASTi designed the new Synapse system with compatibility to the legacy operator hardware. This meant that the Navy was able to save a significant amount of money by reusing their large inventory of cables, headsets, and control panels.

The system is now fully integrated and operational. The Navy is successfully using it for critical voice communications in distributed test events involving sites across the United States.

ASTi meets the most demanding requirement, level D, with today's state-the-art technology the Telestra 4 system, capable of generating hundreds of sounds at once, including sound sources, digital soundfile play back with sophisticated control options, and integrated analysis tools.

ASTi is currently incorporating the latest in speech recognition technology into our Telestra 4 system to meet the new FAA/JAA (EASA) standard for flight simulators.

The ASTi system comprises a series of five ASTi Synapse 4 Radio-Network bridges and Synapse Workstations connected to the BSC's IP network infrastructure. Ft. Hood's ASTi system provides the capability to link as many as sixteen live SINCGARS frequency-hopping radio channels to virtual network channels, allowing intercommunication with 64 battlestaff operators. These operator locations are dispersed throughout the BSC, which encompasses several buildings. ASTi Synapse provides modular, all-Ethernet installation of hardware components, which is critical for the sprawling BSC installation. The ASTi system plugged into the customer's existing network infrastructure without the need to install additional copper or fiber optic cabling. The customer can completely re-configure the ASTi hardware components using standard VLAN technology.

Army system administrators use software utilities provided by the ASTi ACE Studio Development system to automate the generation and distribution of virtual communications (comm) plans. The Studio comm plans are software files that define the simulated radio configuration for a training event. A typical BSC comm plan can be configured to provide dozens of operational FM combat nets, as well as intercom channels for battlestaff point-to-point or workgroup conference communications. Multiple ACE Studio comm plans can be archived and reused with the click of a mouse.

ASTi's web-based Remote Management System (RMS) is bundled inside every Synapse system, allowing the BSC site staff to monitor and manage their ASTi hardware and software resources on the network. RMS is accessible with a standard PC web browser from anywhere on the network.

ASTi provided a complete customer support package to the Army, including: pre-fielding site survey, on-site installation and training courses for system administrators and battlestaff and a technical support contract for ongoing helpdesk assistance.

ASTi has been shipping Synapse live-to-virtual communications systems since 1999.

About the Ft Hood BSC:
The Fort Hood Battle Simulation Center provides simulation and training support for the Army's III Corps Battle Command Training Branch (BCTB). Training requirements include: soldier-level, collective, staff and leader battle command exercises. Fort Hood is the digital training hub which supports spoke facilities at: Fort Sill, Fort Riley, Fort Carson and Fort Knox (future, planned), all of which are existing ASTi communication sites.