ORLANDO,
Fla., July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal
Air Force is poised to redefine pilot training with the test of a
revolutionary airborne augmented reality (AR) technology on its
Hawk advanced training jet by the end of the year, marking a
significant leap forward in aviation innovation.
It has awarded a contract to BAE Systems to conduct an in-flight
demonstration of the Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System
(ATARS) developed by AR specialists Red 6 on a Hawk TMk2 aircraft.
ATARS, developed by Red 6, enables pilots to identify, engage, and
defeat virtual adversaries and co-operate with synthetic wingmen
while airborne in real time. This groundbreaking technology made
for pilots introduces a first-of-its-kind AR system enabling users
to perceive full-color, high fidelity assets outdoors and
high-speed environments.
"This demonstration highlights our joint commitment to advancing
pilot training, empowering the next generation of aviators with
state-of-the-art technology to lead the way towards unmatched
airborne readiness and operational excellence," said Daniel
Robinson, Founder and CEO of Red 6.
Announcing the trial at Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)
today, Air Commodore Rob Caine, Head of Flying Training and
Director Flying Training, No 22 Group RAF, said, "Exploitation of
novel technologies in an essential part of ensuring the RAF is able
to sustain our combat edge and succeed on operations against a
constantly evolving adversary. This latest development is a very
exciting proposition and opportunity, and we are all looking
forward to seeing the outcomes."
The contract was delivered by the UK Military Flying
Training System (MFTS) Hawk Delivery Team at Defence Equipment
and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK MOD.
UKMFTS Head, Commodore Steve Jose said, "We are always looking
for opportunities that innovative technologies potentially offer to
improve our training delivery. Working collaboratively with
industry we were able to deliver this contract at pace to allow the
RAF to investigate this exciting technology to help inform future
decisions around fighter pilots training."
To advance the project, BAE Systems and Red 6 have carried
out 3D scanning and feasibility assessments on the Hawk TMk2
aircraft at RAF Valley, the home of No 4 Flying Training School,
responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class
fighter pilot.
ATARS will be temporarily integrated into the aircraft which
equips pilots for life in frontline fast jets including Typhoon and
F-35 Lightning.
The National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), the UK
Government's corporate venturing arm for dual-use advanced
technologies is supporting Red 6 with its integration into BAE
Systems' Hawk.
About Red 6
Red 6, founded in 2018, is the creator of Airborne Tactical
Augmented Reality System (ATARS) and Augmented Reality Command
and Analytic Data Environment (ARCADE). Red 6 systems are the first
wide field-of-view, full color demonstrably proven outdoor
augmented reality solution that operates in dynamic outdoor
environments. Together, they bring virtual and constructive assets
into the real-world by allowing pilots and ground operators to see
synthetic threats in real-time, outdoors, and critically, in
high-speed environments.
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SOURCE Red Six Aerospace, Inc.