The networking and interoperability of simulation-based C-130J aircraft training systems have been demonstrated by CAE Australia.

CAE Australia, in an announcement at a simulation conference, said the demonstration was performed for the Royal Australian Air Force, which operates a dozen of the Lockheed Martin aircraft.

"We recognize that our defense customers need to be able to conduct more of their training in a cost-effective virtual environment, so this demonstration was a perfect opportunity to show how our training systems integration capabilities can help the Royal Australian Air Force enhance its ability to conduct integrated mission training and rehearsal," said Peter Redman, vice president and general manager of CAE Australia.

"There are technical challenges associated with interoperability when trying to network training devices with different architectures from various manufacturers; however, these challenges can be overcome and the end result can be improved mission training prior to operational deployments."

In the demonstration for the RAAF, CAE linked its full-flight and mission simulator with a C-130J tactical airlift crew trainer from Bluedrop and Virtual Simulation Systems. The networked training devices demonstrated how the entire mission crew, including C-130J pilots and loadmasters, could train together in an integrated virtual environment.

Additional details, however, were not disclosed.