L-3 Link Simulation & Training has secured a contract to support training services for the US Air Force (USAF) and US Air National Guard (USAG).

Awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), the undisclosed contract is the service’s exercise of a contract option with the company.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Under the terms of the contract, the company will provide 34 new Predator mission aircrew training system (PMATS) simulators along with associated equipment and systems to train Predator and Reaper pilots and sensor operator crews across 15 installations.

"These training devices will provide an unparalleled level of realism and immerse both new and experienced crews in challenging training scenarios based on today’s mission requirements."

L-3 Link programmes vice-president Frank Casano said: "The USAF’s and USAG requirements for MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper pilots and sensor operators continue to grow, and the skills needed to complete an expanding set of missions are increasingly complex.

"These training devices will provide an unparalleled level of realism and immerse both new and experienced crews in challenging training scenarios based on today’s mission requirements."

PMATS is a flight simulator designed to help pilots and sensor operators gain initial qualification, mission qualification, continuation and mission rehearsal simulation-based training in the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The system features an L-3 Link’s simulation software and visual system databases-equipped ground control station (GCS) for creation of an environment that replicates the UAS performance, weapons, sensors, communications, data link operations, emergencies, degraded video feeds and environmental conditions.

The latest order marks L-3 fielding a combined total of 67 Predator and Reaper trainers to support the services’ crew training objectives.

L-3 Link PMATS simulators were initially delivered in 2007.

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact