KC-135 simulator authorised for DTCN

CAE USA has received Authorization to Operate (ATO) the KC-135 operational flight trainer (OFT) on the US Air Force's Distributed Training Center Network (DTCN), CAE announced on 21 February.

CAE USA is prime contractor for the air force's KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme.

The ATO has been granted to the KC-135 OFT at Scott Air Force Base, enabling the device to be networked and connected to other mobility air force platforms so that the air force can conduct live-virtual-constructive training on a secure and classified network.

Additional KC-135 ATS sites are expected to transition onto the DTCN in 2017-2018.

CAE USA's cybersecurity team has also obtained a certification requirement called the Authority to Operate, which allows the KC-135 simulator systems to operate on the DTCN.

Clifford Sanchez, US Air Force KC-135 ATS manager, said: 'Acquiring the Authority to Operate was a tough challenge and a significant engineering milestone. We look forward to the fast-approaching capability to conduct virtual air refuelling across a network. The ability to conduct persistent and realistic virtual air refuelling training in a distributed mission operations environment enhances our training capability and helps us cost-effectively maintain proficiency and readiness.'

CAE USA and the USAF are now in the process of transitioning additional KC-135 aircrew training devices so that the USAF will have the ability to conduct more virtual training over the DTCN.