Augmented reality (AR) training firm Red 6 and Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace firm, have finalised a series of tests for an immersive fighter jet trainer. In the exercises, the companies used a Boeing TA-4J aircraft to simulate scenarios during air combat, setting the stage for integrating and trialling the system on a T-7 advanced trainer.
Daniel Robinson, Founder and Chief Executive, Red 6, said, “the future is now the T-7, powered with ATARS.”
He said in his social media post,
“Today we are proud to announce that Red 6 and Boeing have completed the first augmented reality test flight with Red 6’s ATARS and ARCADE. The future is now the T-7, powered with ATARS. This unique combination will usher in a new paradigm in training, directly impacting readiness and lethality”
Robinson thanked the Boeing team for “setting the example on how to move fast and support innovation” and the Red 6 Crew for delivering the solution “on time, on budget and under a severely compressed timeline.”
The news comes after both companies inked a deal in September last year for Red 6’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS). Additionally, the two struck a partnership for an Augmented Reality Command and Analytic Data Environment for Boeing’s fighter jets.
ATARS Attacks: Boeing Trains with AR
With the immersive training tools, fighter pilots can engage in AR and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered visuals. These involve virtual targets, ground-to-air attacks, refuelling, and other exercises.
The programme supports Boeing’s Air Dominance organisation, which aims to expand across the industry via partnerships with startups. Many of these enterprises partnering with Boeing are helping the company lower risks during missions in future programmes.
To date, Steve Norlund, Vice President and General Manager, Boeing, leads the Air Dominance programme, which boosts sixth-generation aviation technologies.
The partially-classified initiative will involve “the F/A-18, F-15, T-7, MQ-25 and MQ-28 programs; and the non-space Phantom Works portfolio, including the Virtual Warfare Centers,” the company noted.
Donn Yates, Executive Director, Boeing Air Force FIghters and Trainers Business Development, said that his company was the first to team up with Red 6 “on this type of advanced training technology.”
He continued,
“The successful series of ground tests and four flight sorties illustrate our collaborative ability to rapidly integrate, deliver and test new technology with the potential to change fighter pilot training for an entire generation. Combining Boeing’s platforms, capabilities and knowledge with new and emerging companies like Red 6 creates better products and services for the warfighter”
Thomas Bergeson, President, Red 6, added that he was proud of his team’s “efforts to go from integration into the TA-4J to fly the technology “in less than a year” successfully.
The executive added,
“We remain focused on delivering a fully synthetic, outdoor training environment that will transform training for future fighter pilots. The combination of T-7 and ATARS will usher in a new paradigm in training, directly impacting readiness and lethality”
Red 6-Lockheed-KAI Collaborate on ATARS Tool
The news comes after Red 6 joined forces with Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to pilot the former’s ATARS system.
The new framework for AR defence training will trial on Lockheed’s T-50 fighter jets, using its Prepar3D software suite. The ATARS solution will also include cutting-edge AR technologies for training in outdoor war theatres.
This will boost fighter pilot training significantly with repeat, on-demand scenario training using real jets and virtual combatants. Trainers and instructors can also programme bespoke parameters, monitor progress and performance, and adjust the difficulty to suit each individual pilot with the platform.
RAAF, USAF Trial Red 6 and Microsoft Solution for Aircraft Repairs
Furthermore, the Red 6-Boeing deal is one of many with the aerospace giant, with the company also striking partnerships with Microsoft. Using the latter’s mixed reality (MR) solutions, Boeing has integrated its Augmented Training Operations Maintenance (ATOM) platform for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Using Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, Boeing has conducted field tests to repair aircraft using the AR tool for the RAAF in partnership with the US Air Force (USAF) Air Mobility Command.
For its Mobility Guardian 2023 exercise, Boeing, the USAF, and RAAF seamlessly collaborated on the AR tool to rapidly deploy, organise, and repair critical military equipment and vehicles.
Experts from the RAAF Boeing Australia Field Service at Base Amberly, Queensland and the USAF shared data, schematics, and guidance to repair C-17 Globemaster III issues during the exercise.
The walkthroughs were instrumental to resolving issues during the trainer to save time, resources, and manpower needed for the repairs. USAF engineers could provide guidance from over 1,400 kilometres away during the trial.
