L3 Link to Provide MQ-1 & MQ-9 Simulator-Based Training

L3 Link Simulation & Training has been awarded a follow-on contract from the US Air Force's (USAF) Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to provide the next-generation high-fidelity mission simulation solution to train all future MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircrews. The Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) has been the USAF MQ-1/9 simulator program of record since 2008 and is being expanded to provide simulators at all USAF active-duty and Air National Guard MQ-1/9 operating bases.

"We currently have 29 fielded simulators and expect to have 67 by the end of 2018, most of which will be delivered in the improved Block 30 configuration with our advanced tactical integration and debriefing capabilities," said Jay Kelly, L3 Link's director of Strategic Development. "We've been improving our solution based on direct feedback from the operators who need this vital technology to train for their missions. The all-new PMATS provides full-spectrum mission capability directly out of the box."

PMATS immerses students in a complex mission environment so they not only learn to safely operate the aircraft but also train to employ the weapon system in joint and coalition operations.

To further advance PMATS capabilities, L3 Link will install communications equipment for MQ-1 and MQ-9 Distributed Mission Operations so that aircrews can network their PMATS with simulations of other platforms, such as fighters and bombers, to participate in Live/Virtual mission training events.