The contract calls for the development of one trainer and one brief / debrief system that will be delivered with initial operational capability in late 2006. The system will then be upgraded in early 2007 to a full operational capability, which will enable the unit to participate in the U.S. Air Force's Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) simulation exercises.

"Link is proud to be building the first high fidelity Predator aircrew training system for this exceptional, battle-proven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)," said John McNellis, president of Link Simulation and Training.

"This is a key win for Link, expanding our simulation product offerings from our traditional fixed and rotary wing aircraft markets to the vitally important UAV arena. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force to develop a cost-effective, highly realistic PMATS."

The initial unit will be housed at Link, while follow-on production systems, which will be ordered under future production contract options, will be delivered to Air Force Air Combat Command's 11th Reconnaissance Squadron Formal Training Unit located at Creech Air Force Base, NV.

Additional planned contract options through 2010 will address contractor logistics support requirements, establishment of a system support center and delivery of a database generation system.

The aircrew training system will enable pilots and sensor operators to undergo initial qualification, mission qualification, continuation and mission rehearsal simulation-based training in support of the MQ-1 Predator, which is used operationally by the U.S. Air Force to meet armed reconnaissance and interdiction requirements.

PMATS units will simulate the pilot and sensor operator stations located within the MQ-1 Predator's Ground Control Station.

The simulation will include high fidelity modeling of the Predator platform, all sensors and weapons. The simulated synthetic environment will take into account time of day, winds, adverse weather and thermal effects. A detailed urban environment also will be simulated.

Plans also call for the PMATS to be designed to support multiple fielded Predator configurations and provide a growth path that will support simulation of the yet-to-be fielded MQ-9 Predator UAV.

Link Simulation and Training is a systems integration organization that delivers and supports training systems and equipment to enhance operational proficiency. Link's services include conducting front-end analysis, program design, simulator design and production and field support. Link has major operations in Arlington, TX, and other key bases of operation in Binghamton, NY; Orlando, FL; Broken Arrow, OK and Phoenix, AZ.

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