Environmental Tectonics
Corporation has confirmed the successful factory acceptance testing
of the first G-FET II equipped as an Authentic Tactical Flight
Simulator (Model ATFS-400).
Over the past two years ETC has developed and produced the G-FET
II for a Southeast Asian customer, a project that has produced the
world's most advanced tactical flight simulator. The G-FET II is
the only human rated centrifuge in service today that is capable of
providing the precise variable G cues (forces caused by maneuvering
the aircraft) needed for realistic air combat training for fighter
pilots.
The G-FET II ATFS-400 (the "ATFS-400") combines the latest
available flight simulation technology to optimize flight fidelity.
This technology includes high fidelity aircraft specific cockpits,
offensive and defensive mission systems, realistic wide field of
view visual displays and virtual battle space. Additionally, the
ATFS-400 provides the proprietary ETC technology of G-pointing that
provides the pilot with the same sustained G that he experiences
during actual combat maneuvering.
ETC's breakthrough technology allows a pilot to hone critical
air combat skills in a safe and economical environment at 1/20th
the cost of flying in the aircraft. Savings include reduced fuel
consumption and reduced aircraft wear. Even greater savings are
realized through lowered accident rates since the pilot can
rehearse the aircraft mission in the ATFS-400 before the actual
flight. The capability to rehearse results in the pilot having
higher Situational Awareness in the aircraft and therefore the
potential for aircraft mishaps is reduced.
ETC is the only centrifuge manufacturer that has the capability
to build and test our centrifuge-based training systems in our
manufacturing plant located in Southampton, Pennsylvania. The
acceptance testing process recently conducted with the customer's
medical and fighter pilot experts resulted in the successful
completion of more than 150 specific tests to verify the ATFS-400's
performance.
These tests included, among others:
- Verification of the high fidelity of three aircraft specific
(MIG-29N, F-18C/D, Hawk Mk-208) interchangeable cockpits
- Engaging in simulated aerial combat in the virtual battle
space
- Evaluation of ETC's Interactive Profile Editor for creating and
storing new training profiles
- Evaluation of extensive medical monitoring and recording
systems
- Testing and evaluation of the ATFS-400's
-
- G Training Profiles
- Emergency Procedures Training
- Unusual attitude recovery training
- Spatial Disorientation training capability
The two-week acceptance testing process was a complete success
and our customer is now preparing for the shipment and installation
of the ATFS-400 at the designated site. After installation,
acceptance testing will be repeated to assure complete customer
satisfaction as well as system safety and reliability.
According to William F. Mitchell, ETC's President and Chairman,
"The ATFS-400 sets a world benchmark by integrating high fidelity
simulation with aeromedical training for human factors. Given that
85% of today's aircraft mishaps are caused by human factors, the
ATFS-400's potential payback is enormous".
ANN Has Wrung It Out....
Over 150 experienced fighter pilots have "flown" the ATFS-400 to
date and the consensus is that it is the most authentic simulator
they have had the opportunity to fly. ANN's Jim Campbell has flown
a number of sorties in the GFET and found it to be "a remarkable
technology... I am amazed at the realism of the environment and the
extraordinary physical correlation between the stresses of
high-G flight and the body's reaction to same... this thing 'ate my
lunch' and I'm excited about the potential such technology might
bring to the more critical aspects of flight training... nothing
presents a more realistic training environment for today's fighter
jock without burning jet fuel."
ETC designs, develops, installs and maintains aircrew training
systems, public entertainment systems, process simulation systems
(sterilization and environmental), clinical hyperbaric systems,
environmental testing and simulation systems, and related products
for domestic and international customers.