Boeing

The U.S. Air Force has taken the first step toward its vision of a Distributed Mission Training (DMT) capability by awarding The Boeing Company a $333.4 million contract for the F-15C Contractor Training Simulation Service program.

DMT will allow Air Force pilots in flight simulators at one location to train with pilots at another location hundreds, even thousands of miles away. This innovative training concept will give the Air Force enhanced simulator training as a realistic supplement to flight training.

The Boeing Company initially will provide two four-ship sets of F-15C full-mission trainers with high fidelity 360-degree visual integrated display systems. The Air Force will have one four-ship set located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and another at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The two four-ship sets will be networked together to provide realistic combat training between distant locations.

"This is a major strategic win for The Boeing Company, and we look forward to helping the Air Force launch its visionary approach to distributed mission training," said Jim Restelli, Boeing vice president of Aerospace Support at McDonnell Aircraft and Missile Systems in St. Louis. "As the Air Force and Boeing move forward in this arena, the nation and our combat forces will be the benefactors because together we will achieve enhanced warfighting capabilities through DMT. Boeing plans to be a long-term partner in its commitment to support the Air Force in making this important endeavor successful."

In addition to the revolutionary training technology embodied in the DMT program, the Air Force has applied an innovative acquisition approach, which includes a streamlined source selection process and a commercial-fee-for-service contracting method.

"This program represents another milestone in the evolution of the Air Force quest of a better way of doing business ... working in concert with industry to provide required capabilities at the most affordable price," said Restelli.

The complete training system will allow F-15 pilots and AWACS controllers to "train like they will fight" in simulators that are high fidelity, compact enough to fit in a squadron's building, and most of all, provide realistic combat training at an affordable price, said Restelli.

The total DMT program will eventually incorporate most Air Force weapons systems including the F-16, A-10 and F-15E. Future growth could include C-5, C-17, Navy, Marine Corps and Army weapons systems.

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