Aerospace company Boeing has collaborated with AR company Red 6 to integrate and fly in an augmented reality TA-4J tactical aircraft as a precursor to integrating and testing the system in a T-7 advanced trainer.
Both companies announced an agreement last year to integrate Red 6’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) and Augmented Reality Command and Analytic Data Environment (ARCADE) into fighter aircraft.
Red 6 president Thomas ‘Guns’ Bergeson said, “We are very proud of our team’s efforts to go from integration into the TA-4J to successfully flying the technology in less than a year. We remain focused on delivering a fully synthetic, outdoor training environment that will transform training for future fighter pilots.”
Enhancing fighter pilot training
By utilising Red 6’s patented technology, pilots can see and interact with virtual aircraft and targets, as well as threats on the ground and in the air. They can also experience the cognitive loads of physically flying the aeroplane.
“Boeing is the first company to team with Red 6 on this type of advanced training technology,” said Donn Yates, executive director, Boeing Air Force Fighters and Trainers Business Development. “The successful series of ground tests and four flight sorties illustrate our collaborative ability to rapidly integrate, deliver and test new technology with the potential to change fighter pilot training for an entire generation.
“Combining Boeing’s platforms, capabilities and knowledge with new and emerging companies like Red 6 creates better products and services for the warfighter,” added Yates.
Boeing’s Air Dominance division is collaborating with startups from all over the industry to find new and innovative systems, such as ATARS. By working with non-traditional partners, Boeing is developing testbed capabilities that can help reduce the risk of future programs.
Red 6 raised $70 million series B funding in June.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
