NEW YORK, 26 Jan. 2006. L-3 Communications announced today that its Link Simulation and Training (Link) division has been awarded a $33.4 million follow-on production contract to build four additional U.S. Army Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) suites.
AVCATT suites consist of two mobile 53-foot trailers that house six reconfigurable simulators, a battle master control room and an after-action review theater. The AVCATT simulators can be reconfigured to represent any combination of AH-64D, AH-64A, OH-58D, UH-60 and CH-47D platforms.
During a simulated AVCATT exercise, commanders can mix and match rotary wing platforms to best support the training objective. Friendly and opposing intelligent semi-automated forces, communications degradation, adverse weather effects and visual, infrared and radio frequency clutter all contribute to AVCATT's ability to support realistic training.
AVCATT's battle master control station, home to the battle master, training unit observer controller, semi-automated force controller and role players, provides the capability to monitor and record each unit's mission performance. Four role player stations in the battle master control room enable individuals to serve as artillery, joint air support, ground, engineer or logistics force commanders.
When a mission is completed, the recorded data and video is presented in the after-action review theater. During this mission debrief, aircrews review their performance and determine which skills or tactics need to be further honed. The after-action review theater can also be used to view training in progress.
AVCATT's networked training capability includes the ability to be interoperable with the Army's Close Combat Tactical Trainer system, the service's currently fielded mechanized armor training system. This interoperable combined arms training capability provides an unprecedented level of training realism, involving both simulated air and mechanized armor vehicle forces.
Under this award, Link will be building the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th AVCATT suites ordered by the Army to date. These four AVCATT suites will be delivered during 2007.
The Army currently has plans to acquire 23 AVCATT trainer suites. Link has been prime contractor on AVCATT since the program's award in 1999 and is providing both the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard with helicopter training systems that support realistic, high-intensity virtual combat training.
"Award of this new production option closely coincides with positive reports coming from our U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard users as to how AVCATT systems are better preparing aviators to execute company-level missions involving a wide range of helicopter assets in a high threat environment," said Lenny Genna, vice president of U.S. Army programs for Link. "We are very pleased to have received this contract option and look forward to continuing to deliver AVCATT training suites that help prepare Army aviators to succeed on the battlefield."
Link Simulation and Training is a systems integration organization that delivers and supports training systems and equipment to enhance operational proficiency. Link's services include conducting front-end analysis, program design, simulator design and production and field support. Link has major operations in Arlington, Texas, and other key bases of operation in Binghamton, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; Broken Arrow, Okla. and Phoenix, Ariz.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components.
L-3 also supports a variety of homeland security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the departments of defense and homeland security, selected U.S. government intelligence agencies, and aerospace prime contractors. For more information, see www.L-3Com.com.
