USAF selects Cubic P5CTS/TCTS
Cubic has been awarded a new contract for its P5 Combat Training System/Tactical Combat Training System (P5CTS/TCTS) by the US Air Force Range Instrumentation Systems Branch (USAF/EBYI). The contract, worth over $30 million, provides additional equipment for the Red Flag Alaska exercise and equipment for the Red Flag Nellis exercises.
Cubic and principal subcontractor DRS Training and Control Systems, a unit of DRS Defense Solutions, will provide airborne instrumentation subsystems to various US Air Force bases and several types of ground subsystems, including live monitoring capability. Deliveries will be completed in the first half of 2013.
The system allows allows training in any available airspace because it uses GPS technology in a high-dynamic environment. It is deployable training at sea, and enables air wings to train while deployed aboard aircraft carriers at sea. It has been fully qualified for use on aircraft during carrier takeoffs and landings; and features enhanced security features, including security certification and accreditation for airborne and ground subsystems, which allows connection to classified aircraft data sources and use of classified and validated simulations of advanced weapons.
A company statement said that many of the pods will go to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex to supplement training efforts there. Cubic previously delivered P5 ground subsystem infrastructure to Eielson AFB, Alaska. The remaining pods will go to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, for use at the original Red Flag venue and other Air Force installations.
More from Defence Notes
-
Modular and attritable equipment must be a priority: US military
Senior officers and representatives from the US Army, US Air Force and US Navy emphasised the need to expedite acquisition projects for systems and platforms that are more modular. They also highlighted that the loss of equipment is acceptable.
-
Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)
Shephard's Alix Valenti interviewed Project Kuiper's Don Brown at DSEI 2025, discussing the company's innovative approach to sovereignty of space communications systems, which focuses on being able to control the network rather than ownership of satellite constellations.
-
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
Amazon Project Kuiper teams up with GRC to offer governments unprecedented capabilities (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Amazon Project Kuiper's Don Brown and GRC's Steve Slater talked to Shephard's Alix Valenti about how their partnership can offer unique capabilities in defence SATCOM to government customers, with a focus on assurance, security and choice.
-
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.