Navy next-generation air combat training system moving into limited production phase

By Aidan Quigley / May 4, 2021 at 12:08 PM

The Navy's next-generation air combat training system has received its milestone C approval, paving the way for the program to move into limited production.

The Tactical Combat Training System Increment II received milestone C approval April 27, the Navy announced Monday. Prime contractor Collins Aerospace Systems will now start limited production.

“The Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force all identified a critical need for a common, encrypted and multiple-level security range training system, and PMA-205 will be delivering TCTS Inc II to meet those requirements on schedule,” Capt. Lisa Sullivan, PMA-205 program manager, said in the press release.

The TCTS II system replaces and advances the existing range training infrastructure, and is an open architecture system, the Navy said. Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) will conduct performance and flight testing on the F/A-18E Super Hornet at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD.

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