Cubic Global Defense has supplied more than 60 P5 Combat Training Systems (CTS/TCTS) with Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pods for the upgrade of the Royal Australian Air Force’s Hawk 127 fleet.
As part of the Lead-In Fighter Capability Assurance Program (LIFCAP) – which achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) earlier this month – the systems provide enhanced air combat training capabilities, including live monitor functionalities and debriefing stations for the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter.
The P5CTS provides real-time and post-mission training for air-to-air, air-to-ground and surface-to-air combat missions by displaying the live-air picture, recording mission data and relaying Time, Space and Positioning Information (TSPI) between participating aircraft during training sorties. Key components of the system include GPS-enabled, aircraft-mounted airborne instrumentation “pods” plus ground stations, which help aircrew conduct, monitor and manage air combat training and post-flight debriefing.
“Our solutions enable RAAF Hawk aircrew to electronically review air combat training missions with fidelity not previously seen in the Hawk fleet,” general manager of Cubic Global Defense Australia Miles Macdonald said. “Additionally, squadron mission supervisors now have the ability to observe aircraft during flight using the live monitor functionality, plus manage the mission and flight environment to improve training performance.”
Wing Commander Carlos ‘Fonz’ Almenara, 78 Wing Executive Officer for the Hawk 127 said: “It is not only a highly effective debriefing tool, but it enables us to provide enhanced training capabilities for the whole Australian Defence Force."
In addition to the Hawk 127, Cubic’s P5CTS and ACMI were provided for the F/A-18F/G Super Hornet and Growler, F/A-18A Hornet and the flight test community of the Air Warfare Centre.