Networked Electronic Warfare Training System (NEWTS)

Several efforts are currently underway to enhance the electronic warfare (EW) training on Air Force aircraft using on-board, “rangeless” EW training. On-board EW training provides closed-loop simulations of air-defense environments for realistic in-flight combat training of aircrews. The training capability can be an integral part of the aircraft operational flight program (OFP) or can be an external simulator carried onto the aircraft. An on-board system allows training to be accomplished any time the crew is in the air, providing a low-cost training alternative. Although these embedded EW training solutions have been demonstrated to provide an accurate training experience, there are logistics problems that limit widespread use. Standalone computer-based trainers require additional equipment to be carried onto the aircraft unless the training threat simulations are embedded into a component the aircraft OFP. Designing additional training modes into the OFP requires the expense of flight software changes and an associated flight test program. To support a low-cost EW training system that meets current and future requirements, there is a need to investigate a ground based threat simulation tool that can stimulate the aircraft EW subsystems and monitor aircraft and operator responses over existing aircraft data links. An off-board training system should result in minimum changes to the aircraft OFP, will not require any installation on the aircraft, and could provide a centralized threat simulation for multiple aircraft in future training exercises. Lavender Industries proposes to investigate a low-cost EW training system consisting of a commercial PC-based application that is coupled to an existing military ground radio unit. The EW training system will support the closed loop threat simulation by applying threat indications at the appropriate aircraft time or position over the data link, and by monitoring aircraft navigation data and countermeasure events to accurately simulate threat response. For Phase I, Lavender will initially address the problem using the capabilities and subsystems currently present on Block 30/35 class F-16C fighter aircraft, then generalize a solution for multiple platforms. The result will allow system demonstration as part of a Phase II effort.