Charles River Analytics Develops 5th Gen Flight Trainer for the USAF

Charles River Analytics Inc., developer of intelligent systems solutions, has received funding from the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate and transition our Next Generation, Multirole Fighter Instruction and Rehearsal Environment (GeMFIRE) virtual 5th generation flight training solution. As part of Charles River’s family of Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) prototyping systems, GeMFIRE provides a scalable display and control device framework for integration with government and commercial off-the-shelf flight simulators to drive accurate cockpit mission displays, customized augmented reality (AR) helmet-mounted displays, and realistic input controls that can prepare pilots for missions in next-generation aircraft. The GeMFIRE follow-on contract is valued at nearly $500,000.

“The USAF and our coalition partners must comprehensively train and familiarize next-gen pilots with the advanced capabilities and unique pilot-vehicle interfaces coming online in these platforms, which is not economically feasible in live exercises,” said Dr. Martin Voshell, Principal Scientist at Charles River Analytics and Program Manager on GeMFIRE. “We worked closely with the Warfighter and the Integrated Combat Operations Training-Research Testbed at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, to ensure that GeMFIRE delivers a pilot-approved, medium-fidelity environment that addresses emerging training gaps. Our cost-effective solution helps ensure the readiness of 5th gen USAF pilots.”

GeMFIRE combines realistic display and control hardware with accurate mission displays to deliver bespoke pilot-centered training software. Our solution provides the USAF with a low-cost and open architecture solution that can be used by training researchers, system and sub-system developers, test and fitment centers, and fighter squadrons to develop new capabilities at multiple levels of training fidelity.

The first integrated GeMFIRE system was demonstrated as part of AFRL’s “Cleared Hot” LVC integration event at I/ITSEC 2016. In 2018, GeMFIRE played a key demonstration role as part of our system of systems development efforts highlighted at the DARPA60 symposium. In 2019, we plan to support additional integration and transition of GeMFIRE systems into multiple USAF and partner nation installations worldwide.