Agreement signed to create unmanned aircraft training center for college students and U.S. government personnel

Posted by John McHale
ARLINGTON, Texas, 6 April 2011. The proposed unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training center at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., took a step forward as officials from the University of North Dakota (UND) and L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) signed agreements establishing the center.
MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper UAS training will be offered to UND students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics with a major in unmanned aircraft systems operations at the center, which is expected to begin operations in June 2011.
The Predator and Reaper training system integrates actual ground control station hardware, simulation software and high-fidelity, correlated databases in creating a fully immersive training environment. Unmanned aircraft and sensor performance are precisely modeled to support complex, real-world mission scenarios. Simulation scenarios, which will include a robust urban environment, will be integrated with visualizations of hundreds of moving vehicles and people, accurate terrain and various weather conditions.
The training center is also expected to provide UAS training to U.S. government agencies to develop pilots and sensor operators. In addition to supplying the training center's high-fidelity simulator and logistics support, L-3 Link will provide sensor operator course development and training.
"L-3 Link is very proud to partner with the University of North Dakota in establishing the first non-military UAS educational institution in the U.S. to provide Predator and Reaper aircrew training," says Leonard Genna, president of L-3 Link. "Students will receive expert classroom instruction and will be able to gain hands-on training on a highly realistic Predator and Reaper ground control station simulator."