AAI Corporation
Interview with
Robert Peters Vice President of Training Systems
Q: How do AAI Training Systems’ revenues break out by land/sea/air/international?
A: The U.S. Air Force has the largest percentage, led by C-17 and F-22 aircraft maintenance trainers.
Next is the U.S. Navy [USN], led by onboard training [OBT] sub-systems.
International customers represent the third largest sector, with both OBT systems and sub-systems for many customers. Moving target simulators also are a sizable revenue generator.
After that is the U.S. Army, with a range of training deliverables based on AAI’s status as the original equipment manufacturer [OEM] of the Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft system [TUAS]. We also provide improvised explosive device [IED] simulators in alliance with Germany-based RUAG COEL GmbH. These will assist in training warfighters on operational support tasks, conditions and standards needed to defeat IEDs.
Q: The Textron acquisition of AAI seems to be remarkably synergistic. What was the Textron training focus and how were they organized to develop and deliver?
A: AAI’s Training Systems business was an attractive area to Textron. We provide complete, collaborative training solutions using a lean, flexible business model, starting with a training needs analysis to define the best mix of training, training devices and instructional programs for the customer. We design and develop highly sophisticated training devices, such as our C-17 and F-22 maintenance trainers, Simulator for Electronic Combat Training and Compass Call Mission Simulation System, and provide service and maintenance for fielded systems. We also develop courseware and complete curricula.
Integration began as soon as AAI and Textron Systems joined forces in December 2007. It’s an exciting time with tremendous synergies to be cultivated, internally and on behalf of both companies’ customers. Some are more obvious, and we’re working those immediately. We’ll uncover others as we get to know each other’s businesses better. Our priority during the integration is identifying and leveraging these.
Q: How is AAI’s Training Systems business changing and what are seen as particularly high growth areas?
A: Our focus is providing customers a total training solution using a systems engineering approach to bring great value and functionality. We manage programs by marshalling our vast capabilities across a dozen locations to provide great customer value — focused results with less overhead, oversight, and cost to manage. We want to be the customer’s first choice as a total training systems integrator — independent of sector or product, because our skills span land, sea, and air, as well as individual, crew and collective training.
Q: Highly realistic UAS/UAV training is integral to successful deployment and operation. Describe some of the advanced training capabilities and innovations you have brought to the warfighter.
A: Our training role in the Army’s Shadow TUAS program evolves, with the biggest current impact through our brigade integration and new equipment training teams. Our highly skilled, in-house trained field service representatives [FSRs] work side-by-side with the military unit that receives equipment and needs extra support during operations.
FSR training is a 17-week, tailored curriculum that includes a simulator for hands-on ground control station and systems design training, functional troubleshooting, on-the-job training on the flight line at Fort Huachuca, and instruction on Army aviation policies and procedures.
This program is an excellent model for where we want to go as a part of Textron, partnering at the ground level to provide a complete training environment for these OEM platforms, whether land-, sea- or air-based.
Q: What has been AAI’s role in the USN’s Battle Force Tactical Trainer [BFTT] program?
A: The USN launched BFTT program in the mid-1990s to deliver multi-ship training within battle groups, while keeping the ships’ assets at sea. AAI has provided radar, identification friend or foe, and navigation sub-systems for BFTT since 1998 and tactical data link sub-systems since 2000. AAI’s sub-systems are integrated with the Navy’s scenario controller and other components to provide entire ship command and control team training.
Q: BFTT is deployed on USN DDG and larger ships. Has AAI been active internationally and what are your future plans?
A: By December 2007, the USN had installed BFTT systems on 146 ships. International customers have been taking notice of the Navy’s success with this program, so we’re seeing a great deal of interest.
We provide BFTT sub-systems internationally through direct military procurements. In Taiwan, we’re supporting some land-based systems with radar stimulation/simulation sub-systems.
We also can provide the entire OBT system, integrating the scenario controller and all sub-systems. For example, AAI is providing complete OBT systems for the Royal Australian Navy [RAN]’s FFG-class ships. For land-based training, there are possible future applications on the RAN’s new Air Warfare Destroyer and Landing Helicopter Deck Ship classes.
We’re also exploring additional international applications, and applying this same technology to land and air platforms.
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