US Army enhances BAT technology

The US Army has enhanced the UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew trainer (BAT) with the development of the Collective Aircrew Proficiency Environment (CAPE) to jointly train crew chiefs and gunners in a realistic environment.

The first BAT prototype was established three years ago and implemented as a training aid at Fort Bliss, Texas. The CAPE has been developed by a team from System Simulation, Software and Integration Directorate, and US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Aviation and Missile.

CAPE and BAT are linked using an ethernet connection to provide a whole-crew trainer. The nine locations fielded with BAT devices only need a tethered CAPE to provide army aviation units with a way to train a complete UH-60 aircrew.

Both systems render realistic spatial orientation/disorientation, response to changes in gravity and susceptibility to airsickness, replicating conditions that crew experience in flight allowing them to identify adverse reactions while minimising inherent risks.

The BAT and CAPE technology can also be used to train complete crews in rescue hoist and cargo sling operations, as well as in preparation for hurricane relief or similar missions.