Cubic Global Defense (CGD) has secured a multi-year contract from the US Air Force (USAF) Research Lab (AFRL) 711th Human Performance Wing to develop and demonstrate a live, virtual, constructive (LVC) system for air combat training.
The latest development is part of a programme called the secure LVC advanced training environment (SLATE) advanced technology demonstration (ATD).
Established by AFRL, the SLATE ATD team is a government / industry consortium that will see its partners using expertise or key system understanding to support the overall ATD objectives.
SLATE ATD is aimed to prove technological feasibility and assess operability and producibility of LVC subsystems.
Within this programme, Cubic is the systems integrator responsible for the delivery of LVC airborne and ground subsystems.
Cubic Global Defense president Bill Toti said: "Cubic invented Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) back in the early 70s and we see LVC as the natural evolution of ACMI.
"LVC will provide an increased threat density, wider expanse of virtual airspace and an interoperable multi-level secure environment where pilots can ‘train as they fight’ with their advanced sensor and weapons systems in the highest fidelity environments."
The blending of synthetic environments with live training in an LVC system is intended to strengthen realism and enhance the cost-effectiveness of training, the company stated.
The SLATE partners are expected to develop and demonstrate an LVC system at technology readiness level seven.
The programme is aimed to employ fourth-generation aircraft with modified ACMI airborne subsystems repurposed for multi-level encrypted LVC.
In addition, the team will evaluate extensibility of the technical solutions to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Work under this programme is scheduled to be performed in San Diego, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio and other various locations.
In August, the USAF selected CGD for the $20.9bn Training System Acquisition (TSA) III contract.
The Cubic team for the project will be led by the Cubic Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) location, in collaboration with divisions across CGD’s Centers of Excellence.
