"We are pleased that Congress is embarking on this study and are optimistic the study will reveal what we support: that sustained G tactical flight simulators provide a viable, highly advantageous alternative to live aircraft for tactical flight training purposes," said William F. Mitchell, Sr., ETC's President and CEO."We look forward to any and all opportunities to share our insights on the revolutionary and progressive research and development of sustained G and G on demand flight simulation gathered through more than 40 years of providing Aerospace Solutions both domestically and internationally."
The legislation states that among the emerging technologies available to simulate the dynamic forces experienced during flight is a new class of centrifuge-based flight simulators known as 'sustained-G tactical flight trainers.' These simulators combine centrifugation with high fidelity cockpit modules to mimic the physiological stresses and gravitational forces experienced during actual flight. The legislation also instructs the Secretary of Defense to contract with a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) to conduct a study on the effectiveness of simulated tactical flight training in sustained gravity environments. The groundbreaking benefits of sustained-G flight simulation technology are embodied in the Authentic Tactical Fighting System(TM) (ATFS-400(TM)) (www.etctacticalflight.com), which is exclusively manufactured by ETC.
The study will "assess the impact on training effectiveness, cost, pilot and aircraft readiness and life-cycle efficiencies" from this technology, according to the legislation. The findings will be submitted to Congress along with any recommendations for administrative or legislative action.
As tactical flight training increasingly migrates to flight simulators, the ATFS-400 ensures pilot readiness will not be threatened. Traditional simulators can only reproduce the cognitive stresses of flight (workload and environment) and do not replicate the physical stress and duress a pilot faces in the aircraft. The ATFS-400 is a state-of-the-art flight trainer that prepares pilots to withstand G-forces while also providing high-fidelity flight simulation. It can provide significant cost savings for the Defense Department by complementing a portion of pilots' tactical flight training hours without sacrificing pilot readiness.
Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., sponsored the Senate language in the NDAA FY13 Conference Report calling for a study of simulated tactical training in a high-G environment.
"We greatly appreciate Sen. Toomey's tremendous leadership on this issue. His efforts in obtaining bi-partisan support for tactical flight simulation could save taxpayers billions of dollars and enhance the combat readiness and safety of our military fighter pilots," Mitchell added.
ATFS-400 technology is in use today with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF). Cockpits are completely interchangeable in the ATFS-400. RMAF have four cockpits: F/A-18, MiG-29, Su-30, and Hawk Mk 108 trainer. RoKAF have two high fidelity cockpits: F-15K and KF-16.
About ETC:
ETC (OTCQB: ETCC) designs, manufactures and sells software driven products and services used to recreate and monitor the physiological effects of motion on humans and equipment and to control, modify, simulate and measure environmental conditions. These products include aircrew training systems (aeromedical, tactical combat and general), disaster management systems, sterilizers (steam and gas), environmental testing products and hyperbaric chambers and other products and services that involve similar manufacturing techniques and engineering technologies. ETC's unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. ETC is headquartered in Southampton, PA. For more information about ETC, visit http://www.etcusa.com.
Forward-looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in "Risk Factors" included in the Company's most-recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Contact: Bob Laurent, CFO
Tel: 215-355-9100 x 1550
Email: rlaurent@etcusa.com
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Source: ETC via Thomson Reuters ONE
