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Orlando, Fla. (June 28, 2005)--- Pilots and crew members flying
the Apache Longbow helicopter can improve their combat skills
thanks to a new simulator application developed by Applied
Visual Technology, (AVT) Simulation, Inc.
Cliff Ingari, vice president of AVT Simulation, a University
of Central Florida Technology Incubator firm, said the Recurring
Skills Trainer for the Apache Longbow is designed to help the
helicopter crews increase the efficiency of their use of the
Longbow’s sophisticated onboard computer systems.
“Computer systems aboard Apache helicopters are very complex,” said
Ingari. “The Apache Longbow helicopters have an onboard radar system that
automatically scans the battlefield to detect and prioritize targets and display
them for the crew,” Ingari said. The crew then uses a complex control grips — a
cross between a computer mouse and a graphing calculator, with more than 15 operable
buttons — to direct the computer’s response.
“The Recurring Skills Trainer is designed to allow crews to practice using
the control grips to activate the fire control radar, select different types
of weapons, deploy aircraft survivability equipment such as flares and chaff
and set up navigation and communications equipment under control of the on-board
computer,” he explained.
Ingari said crew performance is critical. “The crew has
to respond quickly and under stress, often in the middle of the
night and under “g-loads” while maneuvering. The Recurring
Skills Trainer replicates onboard combat conditions in a simulated
environment.
Ingari said the Recurring Skills Trainer is very cost effective,
providing a substantial savings in training costs versus using
a real helicopter. About the size of two personal computers, “crew members can even practice on
the Recurring Skills Trainer in the barracks,” he added.
Ingari said the Recurring Skills Trainer is a byproduct of a
series of contracts totaling over $2 million where AVT provided
simulator software and integration for Evans and Sutherland’s Air Command and Tactics Trainer, which is
now in service at the British Army Aviation School at Middle Wallop, England.
AVT plans to market the Apache Longbow Recurring Skills Trainer
to the US Army, the British Army, and the other 10 international
users of the Apache Longbow helicopter.
* * *
For more information, please
contact:
Larry Rodd, AVT Simulation, 407-381-5311
Tom O’Neal or Carol Ann Dykes, UCF-Technology Incubator,
407-882-0202
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142
About AVT Simulation
Applied Visual Technology, Inc. is a system and software engineering
company. It is a privately held S-Corporation based in Oviedo,
Florida. AVT was formed in April 1998 to leverage extensive simulator
system experience and capitalize on emerging simulation and computer
image generator market trends. AVT has a dedicated professional
staff of system and software engineers that have provided engineering
consultation and services to industry and government agencies
alike. AVT also develops value-added software products that enhance
and improve the development and integration of simulator systems.
In 2002 AVT qualified as a small minority-owned disadvantaged
business participating in the SBA 8(a) program. For more information
visit www.avtsim.com
About the UCF Technology Incubator
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Technology Incubator has helped
more than 80 emerging technology companies create over $175 million
in revenue and more than 600 new jobs with an average salary
of $59,000. As a result of this success, the UCF Technology Incubator
was recently named the 2004 Technology Incubator of the Year
by the National Business Incubation Association. Headquartered
in Research Park near the University, the Incubator is a true
collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County,
the City of Orlando the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and
the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.. For more
information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu
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