L-3's F/A-18C TOFTs ready for KAF

The training system contract was awarded to L-3 Link by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in August 2010.

The high-fidelity F/A-18C TOFTs replace the KAF’s F/A-18 Weapons Tactics Trainers that were initially delivered by L-3 Link in 1996. The new F/A-18C TOFTs share a common architecture with US Navy Roadmap Procurement Programme F/A-18 TOFTs, which will help simplify future simulator upgrades and lower the life-cycle cost of the KAF’s overall training system.

“These F/A-18 simulators provide the Kuwait Air Force with a significant increase in training capability,” said Frank Casano, L-3 Link’s vice president of Navy and Marine programmes. “The trainers enable Kuwait F/A-18 pilots to enhance their tactical skills over a full range of mission areas in an immersive environment that represents the same configuration as the Kuwaiti aircraft.”

The networked simulators are enabling KAF pilots to jointly conduct simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics, normal and emergency procedures, and night vision goggle operations in a robust synthetic environment. Both of the simulators are integrated with L-3 Link’s SimuSphere® 360-degree field-of-view visual display.

L-3 Link also integrated both the 19C(K) and 23X(K) Operational Flight Programme (OFP) and associated aircraft systems on both TOFTs, which support simulation of the aircraft’s comprehensive weapons and sensors suite that includes the Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR).

In addition to the two F/A-18C TOFTs, L-3 Link delivered two instructor operator stations, a brief/debrief system, associated computational systems and a theater-specific visual system database. Delivery of these systems marks the 16th and 17th F/A-18 TOFTs supplied by L-3 Link to an international military service.