The Naval Aviation Training System and Ranges Program Office (PMA-205) recently completed the first flight test of its state-of-the-art air combat training system, the Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II), in an F/ A-18F at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The second flight test, the first for this system involving two aircraft, followed in quick succession using two F/A-18E aircraft.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 conducted the test flights and the PMA-205 test team collected and analyzed real-time data with its industry partner, Collins Aerospace Systems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Collins).
“Our team faced software, COVID and platform challenges, but worked urgently to stay on track for the low-rate initial production decision in April. The fact that the date has not changed since the contract was awarded in 2017 speaks volumes not only for our team, but also for the level of from the Navy to field this capability. ,” said Captain Lisa Sullivan, PMA-205 program manager.
The TCTS II system, developed by Collins, is an open architecture system that enables highly secure air combat training between aircraft, replacing and advancing existing range training infrastructure. The TCTS II system is the first certified multi-level, encrypted security training pod that communicates with both air and ground equipment.
“This is the first time the team has been able to see the system in use in a real-world environment using an operating platform. These tests provide valuable insights into system performance, including pod-to-pod and pod-to-ground datalink performance, positional accuracy, and weapon simulations,” said Jake Kiehlmeier, chief test engineer for the PMA-205 TCTS II.
The US Air Force ed the Navy's TCTS II program, taking advantage of investments made by the Navy and providing training resources earlier and at a lower cost. Services are working together to develop and use this system to train against real-world threats.
“This is just the beginning of how this system and the integration of additional Live, Virtual and Constructive capabilities into the portfolio will revolutionize training for the United States Air Force and Navy,” said Sullivan.
PMA-205 provides full lifecycle procurement of naval aviation platform and general training systems, training instrumentation systems, and distributed mission training centers to provide U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots, naval flight crews and maintainers the necessary training equipment to provide lethal capability and operational readiness.
Source: SHIP
