COTS-Based Device for Non-Procedural Training
Razbam Simulations and Vrgineers will unveil the new F-15E Strike Eagle trainer at IT2EC in Rotterdam this week.
Released earlier this year, the Razbam F-15E model sits at the heart of the reconfigurable COTS trainer, which the companies seek to offer to the US Air Force. The system combines the model with Vrgineers’ Portable Trainer and XTAL 3 virtual headset. The unique concept allows air forces to train cooperation and mission rehearsals using the most advanced and affordable solution currently on the market. Portable trainers are easy to deploy (under 30 minutes), and constitute a two-person carry. The device offers the highest level of immersion thanks to the use of XTAL, a 180° field of view, and a 4k resolution headset. “The fidelity of the Razbam F-15E Strike Eagle is incredible. The level of detail of the cockpit and scale of the functions available in combination with our trainers allows practically anyone to become a skilled F-15 pilot,” stated Marek Polcak, Vrgineers CEO.
Growing demand for pilots, acceptance of virtual pilot training to ensure aviation safety, and the need to reduce pilot training costs are the major factors in the current rapid increase in use of COTS trainers as a part of growing Pilot Next, RVCT, and other advanced training programmes. “We estimate that [by] 2030, every pilot will have one of these trainers at their disposal anytime and can use it from home, connecting to the centralised synthetic training environment using a secured VPN to continue [training], despite any restriction such as we saw during […] COVID,” adds Polcak.
The uses F-15E throttle and stick replicas, with the rest of the instrument panel and cockpit being virtual. All switch and knob manipulation are effected by hand tracking of the trackball, allowing a pilot to access the aircraft’s full capabilities. The current platform is not suitable for procedural training, however, due to the lack of the features required for muscle memory training. Vrgineers is working on a mixed-reality version of the trainer, which it aims to present for the first time at I/ITSEC in Orlando this year. The mixed reality setup will allow full 1:1 training. “The integration we did with Vrgineers simulators enables all the features of our model to become an ultimate training solution, and offers a cost-efficient solution to all F-15E air forces and operators,” explained Ronald Zambrano, CEO of Razbam Simulations.
The F-15E model integrates the new TALON AI, a co-pilot AI handling tactical tasks such as locking the target and navigation. This advanced assistance is another step towards increasing the training curve and supporting the training of complex tasks prior to the mission.
