Second RAAF F/A-18F Tactical Operational Flight Trainer Achieves Ready-for-Training Status

May 26, 2011 defpro.com

ARLINGTON, Texas | L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) announced today that a second F/A-18F Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT) has achieved ready-for-training status for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The TOFT, which L-3 Link built under contract to and in conjunction with the Boeing Company, was also delivered with an additional brief/debrief system and a new Australian photo texture database using L-3 Link’s latest visual system techniques and tools. Both TOFTs are installed at RAAF Base Amberley and represent the first high-fidelity F/A-18F simulators to be operated by a foreign military.

"Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F aircrews are now able to undergo a full spectrum of advanced tactical training on these high-technology simulators," said Leonard Genna, president of L-3 Link. "These TOFTs, which leverage our proven F/A-18 simulator common hardware and software baselines, are meeting the RAAF’s unique training requirements."

Each trainer is integrated with L-3 Link’s 360-degree SimuSphere visual display and SimuView image generator, which support training scenarios ranging from basic flight to multi-ship tactical employment. Boeing Training Systems and Services’ mission computer emulation, simulated radar, electronic countermeasures and Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System provide both pilots and air combat officers with a completely immersive training environment.

The two fully integrated mission briefing and debriefing systems capture all mission event data as F/A-18F aircrews undertake air-to-air and air-to-ground simulated exercises. Following mission execution, RAAF aircrews use L-3 Link’s debriefing system to evaluate their tactical performance and review lessons learned to maximize training exercises.