The Royal Air Force (RAF) has successfully completed a series of groundbreaking flight trials using Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems (ATARS), a cutting-edge technology developed by Red 6. The trials, conducted at the RAF’s Valley base on Anglesey, Wales, were performed with the BAE Systems Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer, a critical asset for the RAF’s pilot training programme.
ATARS is designed to bring a new dimension to flight training, immersing pilots in realistic scenarios where they can engage and defeat virtual adversaries. These adversaries are programmed to act and react just like a real enemy pilot would, creating a dynamic and immersive training environment. This system also allows pilots to cooperate with synthetic support aircraft while airborne, mimicking real-world combat situations.
The RAF’s interest in augmented reality technology is part of its long-term vision to enhance pilot training. “ATARS enables pilots to identify, engage, and defeat virtual adversaries, improving both the quality and the realism of their training,” the RAF stated. Moreover, the technology could lead to a more efficient and cost-effective training process, potentially reducing the need for actual aircraft, instructors, and airspace, while increasing throughput.
The RAF’s trial activity was fully supported by Red 6 staff and the team at BAE Systems, which acted as the prime contractor. The trial is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to modernise and expand its Military Flying Training System.
While the Hawk T2 fleet plays a key role in current pilot training, the RAF has noted that the aircraft, with its Rolls-Royce/Safran Adour engine, has faced reliability issues, which may lead to an earlier-than-expected retirement. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the RAF’s chief of the air staff, recently remarked that replacing the Hawk T2 would help deliver a more relevant and reliable training system in the future.
These trials are a step towards integrating augmented reality into flight instruction, offering the RAF a glimpse of how the technology could revolutionise its pilot training system in the years to come.
