L-3 Communications' Link Simulation and Training to support U.S. Army E-3 flight crew training program

NEW YORK, 29 Jan. 2007.L-3 Communications' Link Simulation and Training (L-3 Link) division has been awarded a $15.2 million contract option from the U.S. Air Force to provide continued support of the service's E-3 contractor training and simulation services (CTSS) program.

L-3 Link, prime contractor on the E-3 flight crew training program since 1993, is providing training services in support of the E-3 CTSS under a contract initially awarded in 1999. Annual contract options could extend L-3 Link's support of E-3 flight crew training through 2014.

Aircrew training of E-3 flight crews -- including pilot, navigator, and flight engineer stations -- takes place at an L-3 Link facility in Oklahoma City, Okla., that is adjacent to Tinker Air Force Base.

E-3 flight crews of the U.S. Air Force's 552nd Air Control Wing initially undergo classroom academic instruction and computer-based training. Next, E-3 flight crew members migrate -- depending on their mission role -- to a navigator part task trainer, a flight training device and two high-fidelity operational flight trainers.

L-3 Link provides student instruction, performs logistics and maintenance services, and ensures that training materials and equipment remain concurrent with changes to the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

The program's two high-fidelity E-3 AWACS operational flight trainers enable aircrews to practice takeoffs, landings, aerial refuelings, and emergency procedures. The operational flight trainers move on a six-degree-of-freedom motion system that replicates the aircraft's flight attitudes. Out-the-window computer-generated imagery is projected across a 225-degree horizontal by 50-degree vertical visual system display.

The E-3 AWACS flight training device, although lacking a visual or motion system, enables aircrews to receive instruction in essential elements of cockpit resource management and crew coordination within a highly realistic cockpit environment.