Link Simulation & Training - Military Simulators and Training Services

For more than 70 years, Link Simulation & Training has been a global leader in building and upgrading military flight simulators.

Link's legacy in rotary wing simulation recently has been underscored by the introduction of its HELCATT rotary wing training system product line and ongoing support of the US Army's Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) training system and the service's Flight School XXI program.

HELCATT ROTARY WING TRAINING SYSTEM

In 2006 Link introduced its HELCATT rotary wing training system, which is designed to provide virtual training for any platform in the worldwide military fleet.

HELCATT is a scalable, reconfigurable and networked helicopter combined arms training system built on rotary wing tactical training technologies Link has developed in recent years to provide full mission training for attack, reconnaissance, utility and cargo helicopters.

The HELCATT training system – designed to enable aircrews to hone their skills in a realistic, high-intensity virtual training environment – supports specific service and country training requirements.

HELCATT scalable solutions can come packaged as one or more fixed-base training devices, or, for mobile training requirements, up to six reconfigurable trainers can be housed in two 53ft trailers. In any configuration, HELCATT also can be integrated with mission control and brief/debrief capabilities.

In addition to pilot training, HELCATT's system-flexibility extends to being able to support door gunner training on the UH-60 and CH-47 platforms. Gunnery crew positions feature replicas of aircraft seats, communication panels, aircraft weapon mounts and simulated weapons with lifelike functionality.

HELCATT trainers, which are integrated with helmet-mounted visual displays that afford pilots the same field-of-view they experience in their actual aircraft, can be reconfigured within 90 minutes.

AVCATT HELICOPTER TRAINING SYSTEM

In support of this US Army rotary-wing training system program Link has delivered and continues to build AVCATT helicopter training suites, housed in 53ft trailers, to support the service's requirement to collectively train aircrews that operate platforms including the AH-64D, AH-64A, UH-60, CH-47 and OH-58D.

This networked, reconfigurable helicopter simulation system provides a virtual, interactive wargaming world that can support collective training and mission rehearsals.

In addition to its reconfigurable simulators, AVCATT suites also house a battle master control room and after-action review theater, which is used by aircrews to conduct a thorough mission review.

If required, data lines can be connected to link AVCATT suites. To support combined arms training requirements, AVCATT suites can be networked to the service's currently-fielded mechanized ground armor combined arms training system.

Helmet-mounted visual displays provide pilots with the same field-of-view they experience in their actual platform.

FLIGHT SCHOOL XXI

For the US Army's Flight School XXI (FSXXI) program, Link Simulation & Training has built, delivered and continues to develop suites of Advanced Aircraft Virtual Simulators (AAVS) and Reconfigurable Collective Training Devices (RCTDs).

Under its subcontract with Computer Sciences Corporation – prime contractor for FSXXI – Link also is responsible for providing contractor logistics support for all AAVS and RCTD training devices.

Link will build 19 AAVS and 18 RCTDs. Delivery of these training devices – which collectively will train aircrews to operate platforms including the UH-60A/L, CH-47D, AH-64D and OH-58D – is planned to conclude in 2008.

AAVS devices include operational flight trainers (OFTs) and instrument flight trainers. AAVS OFTs are integrated with a 200° horizontal x 45° vertical field-of-view visual display, in addition to computer generated imagery that can be viewed through chin window visual displays. AAVS OFTs move on a six degree-of-freedom motion base system.

FSXXI’s RCTDs use Link’s SimuView™ personal computer system to support simulator host computer functions, in addition in to providing both out-the-window visual and cockpit sensor imagery. Aircrews operating an RCTD view out-the-window imagery through a helmet mounted visual display system.