Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Virtual Air Refueling

[fsaviator]

Northrop Grumman Team Demonstrates Virtual Air Refueling Across Distributed Simulator Locations for U.S. Air Force

Interesting news article from Northrop-Grumman.

http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/Pages/NewsArticle.aspx?art=http://www.globenewswire.com/newsarchive/noc/press/xml/nitf.html?d=10059980

[blueskydriver]

Hey Warren,

Nice post. Check this out:

http://youtu.be/SnzKGIbIDR0

It's a C130 in a CAE Sim done with Lockheed Martin. It makes me wonder if P3D is being used in that sim? Before folks shrugg that one off...think about it...LM has P3D for these reasons to make money with the military. So, that makes me wonder what Northrop Grumman is using in their CAE; especially, if it involves multicontractors working together.

Why would this be important; well, IMHO it suggest that CAE is able too use P3D as the sim program (assuming they are), which saves money, but also means P3D could/would only get better. You know that supply-demand thing? How many real pilots say that sims like FSX or P3D look better scenery wise then CAE or other real airline sims.

Thus, the demand for eye candy will increase with the military using them (Generals love eye-candy) and in turn, trickle down to the civilian side. Of course, that is just my theory...

John

[KyleH]

CAE has their own simulation software. I doubt they are using P3D.

[ETomlin]

CAE has their own simulation software. I doubt they are using P3D.

+1

[bernard S]

Very nice find, What I found interesting is that access to the sim is granted via a set of stairs and not the "normal: ramp some 10-15 feet in the air

Did anyone notice that in this Vid the HUDS although in place did not seem operational.. and placed in such a way that if not stored away after flight the next chap coming in is going to bang their head .. guess this why it it called "heads up" 

As to the "Out the Window View" It very much could be a COTS product complimented by data packages .. So I am inclined to say that John may be heading in the right direction with his thoughts .. everybody is looking for more cost competitive solutions including us lot :-)

[blueskydriver]

Yes, you're right, CAE has their own software, but I was just discussing the idea of P3D (or as Bernard has correctly called it "COTS") in it's place to save costs for the contractor in mnd (LM or NG) when working with the military.

Also, my thoughts are about LM getting P3D in the first place, and IMHO, I don't think it was to make FBT's or classroom desktop familiarization trainers. So, has anyone heard if LM is actually using P3D somewhere for the military yet and not just for beta testing for LM?

John

PS. Simlady and I were developers for the military for a long while and that term "COTS" was always throw around by the brass, as they loved the money savings, so thanks Bernard for mentioning it. Karen and I will have talking about that tonight...going down memory lane here. 

[blueskydriver]

I will have to find my old post on this, but I had a KC10 pilot here at my house back 3 years ago and he was very surprised about my sim. While here, he made a strong point about the FSX scenery on my sim and how much better it looked over the AF sim scenery.

He also said I could come out anytime to an Air Force base, where he is stationed, to try the AF KC10 CAE sim. I do have his telephone number somewhere; maybe, I should take him up on the offer...

John