Current and Recent Efforts
Operational Prototype for Sense-and-Avoid Technology (OPSAT)
Federal Aviation Regulation paragraph 91.113(b) require aircraft operators “See and Avoid” other aircraft:
“When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.”
Pathfinder’s OPSAT effort will provide Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilots with a “See and Avoid” capability using Commercial Off The Shelf components. The solutions developed under this effort will also be directly applied to drone detection and 360° situational awareness for the commercial and general aviation market.
Coast Guard Aircrew Weapons Trainer (CG-AWT) Sustainability Upgrade
We are adding a new, high performance visual system to our CG-AWT system, now in its fifth year of operation.
DGS – Door Gunner Simulator
The DGS has been delivered to the Defence Material Organization of the Netherlands to provide aircrew gunnery training for the Chinook CH-47, AS532 Cougar and NH-90 helicopters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). In its first 15 months of operation it has exceeded all expectations of its usefulness, and it is used continuously for training. Instead of a planned 800 hours of training annually, it delivered about 2000 hours in its first year.
DGS Performance Based Logistics
We are providing continuing support to our DGS simulator through a 15-year Performance-based Logistics Contract.
MCAT-P2 — Marine Common Aircrew Trainer – Prototype 2
The MCAT-P2 trains CH-53E, MV-22B and UH-1Y Enlisted Aircrew in Crew Coordination, Aerial Gunnery and External Load handling skills. It is currently operational at MCAS Miramar, CA.
CH-53E interoperating with MV-22B
MCAT-P2 Site Installation at MCAS Miramar
CGAWT — U.S. Coast Guard Aircrew Weapons Trainer: Phase D2
We are completing improvements of various aspects of the CG-AWT trainer at US Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL including the addition of an additional sharpshooter weapon.
EAET – External Load Aircrew Trainer
We have recently delivered three EAET units for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, NC; MCAS Miramar, CA; and Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, VA. The EAET trains Marine Corps and US Navy aircrews in CH-53E and MH-53E external load operations.
CLT — C-130 Loadmaster Trainer
The CLT system uses Augmented Reality to enhance ground-based training for Air Force C-130 Loadmasters. The CLT builds off of a long line of Pathfinder Systems’ research in Augmented Reality, stretching back to the very conception of Augmented Reality in 1991. In the CLT, trainees can react to a number of cargo compartment emergency situations to include oxygen fires and hydraulic leaks and faults such as loose cargo or fouled extraction chutes. It also trains engine start, and engine start emergency procedures. The system augments the student’s view of the real world with training scenarios. This allows the student to master the physical aspects of the job (cargo, straps, chains and chutes) while reacting to virtual emergencies, such as a cabin fire. The system uses a ruggedized see-through goggle to present the computer-generated portion of the image to the trainee. The system is undergoing a large Group Test at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Images generated by the Loadmaster Trainer as seen through the goggles