PLEXSYS ASCOT Featured as the Primary Computer Generated Forces System for Major UK Exercise RED KITE

RAF Waddington, United Kingdom (October 13, 2016) – Exercise RED KITE is an annual United Kingdom – US Air Forces in Europe exercise that uses computer generated forces (CGF) to test critical skills of air crews and forward air controllers.  This particular exercise is a United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) sponsored bi-lateral distributed synthetic training initiative involving the Air Battlespace Training Centre (ABTC) and Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC), connected via a UK network and the Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON).

Located at Royal Air Force Waddington, United Kingdom, Exercise RED KITE commenced on September 5-23, 2016. Additionally, the following US sites participated: the DMOC at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Charleston AFB, North Carolina; Hurlburt Field, Florida; Dyess AFB, Texas; and the Warrior Preparation Centre (WPC) in Einsiedlerhof, Germany.  The UK Distributed Synthetic Air Land Trainer (DSALT) assets included: Typhoon Fighter Domes, Boeing Big Tac, GR-4 Desk Top Role Players, PLEXSYS Mission Training System (MTS) and VR Forces.

PLEXSYS Advanced Simulation Combat Operations Trainer (ASCOT) was selected as the primary CGF system for Exercise RED KITE.  The UK PLEXSYS MTS provided ASCOT, E-3 Sentry Rear Crew Trainer and ASCOT Link-16 Viewer. Furthermore, ASCOT generated the following “Blue Force” entities during the exercise:

• E-3D Sentry; Fast Air, for both Counter Air Operations and Suppression of Enemy Air Defences roles
• Type 45 (T-45) destroyer for command and control (C2) and surface to air engagements, as well as Link-16
• Control and Reporting Center for C2 and Link-16
• Blue Air C2 assets (Rivet Joint and JSTARS)
• Air-to-Air Refueling assets
• Background air Pattern of Life (Civilian airliners)

PLEXSYS MTS was configured to provide six ASCOT Instructor Operator Stations which were used by White Forces to execute the mission. White Forces  included the Royal Air Force, Inzpire, WPC personnel, and Royal Navy T-45 Controllers.

Distributive Interactive Simulation (DIS) communications were successfully provided by PLEXSYS sonomarc.  PLEXSYS ASCOT delivered a successful Exercise RED KITE in conjunction with QinetiQ who is the Prime Technical Supplier to the MoD.