KC-135 simulator cleared for networking

CAE USA's KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew training system has received authorisation to operate on the US Air Force's Distributed Training Center Network.

The authorisation clears the way for the simulators to be connected to other US Air Force mobility platforms for live, virtual-constructive training between different bases.

The change makes it possible for the flight simulators to be connected to, and work in unison with, the boom operator simulator as well as other aircraft simulators from bases around the world. This includes linking boom operator and pilot simulators to enhance mid-air refuelling training.

The first base to receive networked capabilities is Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, followed by Fairchild AFB; March Air Reserve Base, California; Grissom ARB, Indiana; and MacDill AFB, Florida.

The goal of making the changes to the simulators is to be able to use the simulators for all training and only fly the KC-135 Stratotanker when it's absolutely necessary.

Maj Brian Sikkema, the 92nd Operations Support Squadron chief of aircrew training, said: 'This new capability allows us to push toward being able to conduct virtual flag exercises.

'It allows us to train exactly how we would fight and take out a lot of the restrictions. It's the same with threat reactions, in the current training environment, they simulate threats by saying, 'you got taken out,' where as in the virtual world, you can put those threats out there and see if you are getting shot at in the visuals. This is eventually what everything is moving toward.'