When the U.S. Air Force wanted an innovative, affordable pilot training system that could be upgraded at a moment’s notice, they turned to Boeing. Aerospace Support Training and Support Systems (T&SS) responded with the Distributed Mission Training Center.

Under the program, pilots in flight simulators in one location are able to train simultaneously with pilots in simulators thousands of miles away.

Training and Support Systems designs and builds the Mission Training Centers (MTCs) and provides the simulators, manned combat stations, and an advanced visual system to connect to a wide area network that links the trainers together. Representatives from T&SS maintain the training systems and perform periodic software upgrades.

A lease arrangement provides the Air Force with a state-of-the-art training capability without any upfront investment, said Phil Graeff, Aerospace Support’s T&SS program manager for Distributed Mission Operations. “We are able to provide to our Air Force customers a valuable service that meets their schedules and budget. “A lease agreement allows them to obtain the training they need,” Graeff said.

The Air Force calls the concept Commercial Training Simulation Services (CTTS).

“The CTSS approach transfers a great deal of the program responsibility to the contractor,” said Lt. Col. Ronald L. Warner, Jr., chief, Distributed Mission Operations Division, Training Systems Product Group, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. “We basically relay to the contractor what needs to be done at a user requirements level – in this case, provide a service to permit our pilots to train like they would fight.

“We then give the contractor great latitude in how to meet that requirement. For example, we don’t specify what equipment to buy, that’s up to the contractor, which gives them greater flexibility,” he said.

Boeing has been under contract to provide Distributed Mission Trainers for U.S. Air Force F-15Cs since 1997 and won a $285 million contract this year for F-15Es. The services portions of the contracts run through 2012 and 2016, respectively.

Three four-ship sets of F-15C full-mission trainers are in place at Air Force Bases at Eglin, Fla.; Langley, Va.; and Elmendorf, Alaska. The Aerospace Support team is in the process of setting up F-15E Mission Training Centers at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; and the Royal Air Force Base at Lakenheath, England. The first F-15E system to be based at Mountain Home will be delivered in 2006.

‘ Today’s MTCs have high-resolution display of terrain, sensor information, red aircraft, weather, and lighting conditions,” Warner said. “Combine this with real-time communication among your warfighting teammates; a robust lay down of realistic threats, and missions that come from the real world. Now we have the makings of all the major elements that pilots must consider when they fight.

“The end effect is immersion—a much deeper immersion then older flight simulators. Pilots must harness all of their mental skills and judgment to effectively complete training missions in this environment,” he said. “This provides some of the best training in the world without having to actually go to war.”

Many of the U.S. Air Force F-15 squadrons that were deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom used the Boeing DMTs to prepare for their deployments, Graeff said.

“They found that the training simulated the real thing,” he said. “It allows Air Force pilots to train like they fight.”

Improvements are constantly being refined and being plugged into the system, Graeff said. One idea is to expand the MTC concept from connecting simulators at different locations to connecting simulators with operational aircraft or space-borne systems. There are also plans to incorporate other U.S. Air Force platforms such as the F-16, A-10, C-5 and C-17, as well as U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army weapon systems.

“Joint Staff and Department of Defense leadership have recognized the potential of distributed training,” Warner said. “Using live, virtual, and constructive (software models) components connected by networking technology is a big part of DoD’s Training Transformation and Joint National Training Capability initiatives. The Boeing Aerospace Support MTCs will provide a large part of the Air Force contribution to this Joint initiative.

“We are continuously looking at ways to fund all that we can. Our current plans include fielding capability for the next 7 years,” Warner said.

But the MTC concept is not just limited to U.S. forces.

“One of the main strengths of distributed training is it provides a means for our warfighters to train as teams. This includes our allied partners,” Warner said. “We are planning a 7-nation NATO demonstration using DMO capabilities. Called First Wave, this demonstration will include allied partners from North America and Europe and will demonstrate pilots networking across the Atlantic Ocean while training in a common battle space.”

The key to success for Boeing is to “stay real close to our customers, providing a valuable service and ensuring our technology is current and of the highest fidelity,” Graeff said. “This means Boeing must rmain flexible, responsive, and adapt technology to their needs. As long as we provide good service, they are going to come to us.”