QinetiQ keeps it real

The

-led 'ACTIVE' team has secured a £7.8m, 30-month contract to undertake a Capability Concept Demonstrator (CCD) for the UK

Mission Training through Distributed Simulation (UK MTDS) programme. The programme will enable pilots to train in multi-aircraft combat engagements and 'fly' with coalition and other services in a realistic virtual combat environment.

An important part of the MOD's overall Network Enabled Capability (NEC) programme, UK MTDS will provide a comprehensive and realistic synthetic training environment that allows pilots to train in multi-aircraft combat scenarios, where the emphasis is on tactical operations.

Team ACTIVE (Aircrew Collective Training through Immersive Virtual Events) is led by QinetiQ with other members comprising Boeing, cueSim, Evans & Sutherland (E&S), Aviation Training International Ltd (ATIL) and HVR Consulting Services.

"Until now, the first time many pilots experience complex multi-aircraft scenarios is when flying operational missions within a combat zone," explained Andrew Sleigh QinetiQ's MD Defence. "UK MTDS will be the exciting next stage in simulation and training, enabling pilots who have mastered the controls of their aircraft to experience and master realistic operational missions in safety. Our extensive knowledge in training, simulation and air operations means that Team ACTIVE can help the MOD refine its requirements for UK MTDS without repeating and re-learning past lessons."