NEW YORK, 11 May 2007.L-3 Communications' L-3 Link Simulation and Training (L-3 Link) division has delivered five of seven Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) production units to Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev.
The PMATS units enable Predator unmanned aircraft system pilots and sensor operators to undergo immersive, mission-based simulated training exercises.
Delivery of the PMATS units 18 months after contract award represents the first use of a high fidelity training system for any unmanned aircraft system in the U.S. Air Force. Later this June L-3 Link plans to deliver two additional PMATS units and associated support equipment.
High-fidelity training delivered by PMATS units is the result of L-3 Link's simulation software being integrated with the Predator's actual operational flight program software and ground control station hardware. The simulation software backbone L-3 Link provides also can be used to support future generations of the Predator and other unmanned aircraft systems.
PMATS provides high-fidelity modeling of the Predator MQ-1 aircraft platform, sensors, and weapons. The MQ-1 is used by the U.S. Air Force to meet armed reconnaissance requirements.
The simulated synthetic environment takes into account time of day, winds, adverse weather, and thermal effects.
Plans call for PMATS to be enhanced in 2008 to provide simulation of the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system, a more powerful turbocharged engine, increased weaponry payload, and higher operational ceiling.
