L-3 To Build First RF Detection Simulator For New EA-18G Aircraft

New York -- L-3 Communications announced that its Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded an initial $1 million contract from the Boeing Company to build the first simulator for the U.S. Navy's future EA-18G platform, which will perform the airborne electronic attack mission for the service's tactical aircraft fleet. A $14.5 million contract option in support of the EA-18G simulator build will be exercised in the first quarter of 2006 and increase total contract value to $15.5 million.

The contract calls for the development of one EA-18G Aircrew Trainer that will be installed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in the 2010 - 2011 timeframe. The trainer will be delivered by Link to Boeing's St. Louis, MO facility for final integration and testing. This trainer will remain at Boeing St. Louis for software development and integration as the EA-18G platform continues to mature toward its projected initial operational capability date.

"This important EA-18G Aircrew Trainer award continues Link's role as the premier provider of simulators for the F/A-18 platform," said John McNellis, president of Link Simulation and Training. "We look forward to continued growth in our relationship with the U.S. Navy and Boeing by supporting the F/A-18's new role as an electronic attack aircraft."

The EA-18G system will consist of two high fidelity, independent Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT) cockpits to support both the pilot and electronic countermeasures officer stations. Each TOFT will be integrated with Link's seven-panel SimuSphere visual display and SimuView personal computer image generation system. The network-capable system also will include an instructor operator station, student station and visual system database of the United States, including a newly developed Northwest corridor.

In a high fidelity simulation environment, the crew will be able to detect, identify and locate hostile airborne and ground radio frequency emitters in order to direct jamming against enemy threat radars and communications nets. Within the simulated environment, the electronic countermeasures officer will be able to simultaneously operate aircraft sensors and employ the EA-18G's conventional weapons systems, which includes the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile and AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile.

SOURCE: L-3 Communications