Six Alenia Marconi ATC simulators for UK Royal Air Force

June 13th, 1999

Alenia Marconi Systems have been selected by the UK Royal Air Force to provide 6 advanced Air Traffic Control simulators for the Central Air Traffic Control School at RAF Shawbury near Shrewsbury under a substantial new contract. A total of 60 new operator workstations, will replace both the existing radar training simulators and the advanced radar approach control simulators.

Each of the new systems looks and behaves like a modern Military Approach Control Room. They provide broad functionality with flexibility to increase programme options and the effectiveness of the comprehensive controller training provided. The new simulators provide emulations of the latest radar displays about to be introduced into service.

Each simulator comprises 10 workstations. Student positions for Approach, Director, Zone and Precision Approach Radar (Talkdown) are linked to 4 Pseudo Pilot and 2 Supervisor workstations. All positions have fully integrated communications. The six new simulators are designed to provide Shawbury with greater flexibility in handling courses of varying size and aptitude.

This new simulator incorporates the experience and training expertise of the Central Air Traffic Control School which trains military controllers for both the Royal Air Force and overseas students. It is designed to emulate the new radar display which will replace the existing Watchman design and this will start to be introduced into service very shortly. The Precision Approach Radar element will emulate the current operational equipment which may also be replaced in the near future.

The simulator has an additional unique role as a tool for evaluating student performance and optimising MMI (Man Machine Interface) techniques and new operational procedures. It can also be used to analyse changes in the airspace plan and local procedures which result from increased traffic. Based on high specification PC/Unix platforms, its architecture is extendible and will support all customer requirements.

This contract builds on the well established relationship between the Royal Air Force and Alenia Marconi Systems who have previously supplied the Central Air Traffic Control School with both Area Radar and Approach Training simulators. Alenia Marconi has worked very closely with the Royal Air Force to ensure that their experience, gained through the training of hundreds of ATC students over many years, is embodied in the new system design.

Alenia Marconi Systems is an equal shares joint venture company between Finmeccanica of Italy and GEC of the UK.

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