AWACS Modeling and Simulation (AMS) Training System

The E-3 AWACS	The training system console

Air Battle Manager Upgrade

The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Modeling and Simulation (AMS) Training System developed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) was installed at Tyndall AFB, Florida, in early 1998. The AMS system is a total training system used to teach introductory Weapons Director (WD) students basic combat principles, concepts, procedures, and tactics. 

The system introduces students to AWACS operations through graphical presentation of simulated displays and physically simulated controls that are representative of AWACS mission crew consoles. The system upgrade adds capabilities for training Air Battle Manager students by allowing operators to simulate control of AWACS sensor systems and interfaces.

System Upgrades

• Enhanced physics-based radar and IFF modeling
  
• Terrain and weather effects on sensor reception, datalink simulation
  
• Enhanced 3D display capability 
  
• Improved simulation control

Major Components

• 48 student consoles
  
• 24 "simulation driver" stations
  
• 7 display and debrief systems

SwRI developers demonstrate the integration of student consoles and simulation driver stations with real-time display of the 3D environment by a display and debrief system. Flexibility of the AMS training system allows system components to work together in an exercise, or separately without reconfiguration.

AMS System Upgrade Capabilities for AWACS Air Battle Manager Training

Standalone Simulation Exercises - - Individual students interact with a constructive simulation to practice the integration of basic communication skills and console operations in a tactical mission environment. Speech recognition technology allows the student to control the behavior of simulated aircraft.

Integrated Simulation Exercises -- Several students direct simulated participants in virtual simulation exercises controlled by operators at simulation driver stations (sim-driver) in prerecorded scenarios.

Combined Simulation Exercises -- A group of students practice together as a crew on a virtual E-3 AWACS aircraft. Other participants in the simulated environment are controlled by sim-driver station operators or are prerecorded. 

Multi-AWACS Combined Simulation Exercises - - Two or more groups of students practice as mission crews on separate virtual AWACS aircraft in a common simulation environment. High-fidelity threat generation is internally controlled by sim-driver stations and prerecorded scenarios.

Distributed Mission Training (DMT) Exercises -- Students participate as a mission crew on a virtual AWACS aircraft simulation, and interact with other participants in the exercise at external simulators on the DMT network.

Live Exercises -- Students train in a live radar environment interacting with operational aircraft in selected locations throughout the eastern United States. This is done through connections to ground-based radar and radio systems.

Display and Debriefing Systems - - After the exercises are complete, students can review their perfor mance using synchronized 3D graphics, AWACS display, and audio playback to receive compre hensive feedback during debriefing sessions. Real-time viewing allows students to observe other students' displays and 3D air environment.

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