The US Air Force received five Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS). By June 2007 seven PMATS systems will be based at the Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, NV to support the newly established 432nd unmanned systems wing, the first US Air Force wing totally dedicated to Predator and Reaper operations. L-3 Link is a division of L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL). The simulator enables Predator UAS pilots and sensor operators to undergo fully immersive, mission-based simulated training exercises.
“The high fidelity training provided by PMATS units will enable the U.S. Air Force to rely less on live flight training, enable Predator crews to increasingly practice procedures to counter potentially catastrophic emergencies and conduct networked training exercises aimed at combating the Global War on Terrorism.” said Mike Wallace, Vice President for Air Force and Navy Programs at L-3 Link Simulation and Training.
High fidelity training delivered by PMATS units is the result of L-3 Link’s simulation software being integrated with the Predator’s actual operational flight program software and ground control station hardware. The simulated synthetic environment takes into account time of day, winds, adverse weather and thermal effects.
As presently designed, PMATS provides high fidelity modeling of the Predator MQ-1 aircraft platform, sensors and weapons. Plans call for PMATS to be enhanced in 2008 to provide simulation of the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system. The simulation software backbone L-3 Link provides also can be used to support future generations of the Predator and other unmanned aircraft systems.
