[Avionics Magazine 12-14-2016] Northrop Grumman’s Australian division recently provided a proof-of-concept demonstrating the use of a distributed network environment between two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) simulators and a Northrop Grumman test lab to provide live virtual training at multiple sites on opposite sides of the globe.
Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Live Distributed Connectivity Between Royal Australian Air Force Simulators and US-based Test Lab. Photo: Northrop Grumman.
According to Northrop Grumman, the demonstration featured distributed simulation capability by connecting a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport simulator with a C-17A Globemaster III simulator at RAAF Base Amberley and a Northrop Grumman test laboratory located in Orlando, Florida.
The industry-funded demonstration was conducted in conjunction with CAE and L-3 Communications. It follows the first of a four-phased program where the simulators of RAAF’s Air Mobility Group (AMG) KC-30A, C-17A and C-130J Hercules transports were surveyed to determine their operating standards compared to those of the U.S. Air Force’s Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON).
Northrop is the prime contractor for DMON, a system that enables dissimilar aircraft platforms located across the globe to seamlessly interoperate and train together in a realistic virtual environment.
During the demonstration, pilots were provided with the necessary high fidelity for close formation maneuvers as well as communications between the aircraft simulator and the boom operators across the world. This capability proof-of-concept demonstrated the value constructive elements provide in achieving current and future training needs of the RAAF.