Rockwell Collins and DRS Technologies team up

Rockwell Collins of Cedar Rapids, IA and DRS Training & Control Systems announced March 19 that they have established an exclusive, global business partnership to provide next-generation secure Air Combat Training capability for both domestic and international air forces.

The delivered capability will leverage newly developed security and instrumentation technologies from the Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System (CRIIS) with proven air combat training, weapon simulation, and aircraft integration experience. The Joint Secure Air combat training System (JSAS) includes certified Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) architecture, and a higher throughput data link to provide significantly higher training fidelity than with the current generation systems (while also meeting the emerging security needs of the warfighter).

“This agreement expands upon the companies’ existing business relationship, a proven cultural fit that brings together two complementary capabilities with deep expertise in data links, navigation, and security along with ruggedized design to support the air combat training environment. The JSAS will bring the next generation of U.S. and allied warfighters a unique and significantly improved Air Combat Training capability based on the CRIIS technologies,” said Tommy Dodson, vice president and general manager of Surface Solutions for Rockwell Collins.

He added, “The open architecture allows integration of third party applications to support future upgrades, advanced weapon simulations, and the emerging needs for supporting Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training operations.”

Larry Ezell, vice president of DRS Training & Control Systems continued, “DRS is pleased to have delivered every one of the airborne systems in the current generation Air Combat Training System for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy, including those for the F-35 aircraft. As such, DRS is thrilled to again be able to bring our capabilities and experience to this team and to the warfighter. Together our two companies will field the next generation of secure, LVC-capable training solutions, paving the way for seamless interoperability between 5^th generation F-35 and legacy aircraft as they train together in coalition events.”

According to Rockwell Collins, the JSAS solution will provide for scalable use, from small “squadron-level” training to large force exercises (such as Top Gun or Red Flag with over 100 aircraft), maximizing the training realism for each participant.  The system will also integrate with current range assets such as EW threat emitters as well as ground-based participants in supporting the customer need in the larger force exercises.

Source: Rockwell Collins