Rockwell, Leonardo DRS selected for TCTS Inc-II

Rockwell Collins and Leonardo DRS have been selected by the US Navy to supply an encrypted, next-generation tactical training system for its Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS Inc-II) programme.

The work will be carried out under a new contract - with an initial award of $142 million - which includes options for low-rate and full-rate production.

The companies will develop an airborne, ground and ship-based encrypted training capability that will be integrated with other fielded equipment and combat systems to support training for US Navy and Marine Corps aviation personnel.

The objective of the TCTS Inc II programme is to provide a Department of Defense and National Security Agency-approved encrypted tactical training system. The system provides the first certified, Multi-Level Security (MLS) training equipment packaged in both airborne and ground equipment, allowing for tethered and autonomous operations. MLS provides secure interoperability between combinations of 5th-generation and 4th-generation aircraft, to deliver significant training benefits to all participants in a simulated, high-threat combat environment. It has five times more network capacity than current air combat training systems and uses the existing training range frequency spectrum for enhanced live player training fidelity and to increase the number of players participating in Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training.

Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager, Communication, Navigation and Electronic Warfare Systems for Rockwell Collins, said: 'TCTS Inc II fills gaps from the currently fielded air combat training equipment by enabling the world's air forces to securely migrate to LVC training to increase warfighter readiness at a reduced cost.'

A number of developments from the CRIIS Test & Evaluation Instrumentation programme will be leveraged, such as simultaneous MLS certification, site installation accreditation, data link frequency authorisation and flight worthiness certification of airborne subsystem packages.