The U.S. Army will award contracts to support the testing and development of a new set of simulators and virtual reality-based training systems this summer, Army Times reported Monday. Service officials aim to bring advanced simulators to four to five installations over the next two years and to begin fielding the training systems at all major Army facilities in mid-2020s. 

The Army is testing the Squad Advanced Marksmanship Trainer at Fort Drum, N.Y., and six other installations. The platform enables users to move and shoot together in a room and around obstacles, untethered. Ongoing tests hope to improve SAM-T to remove the wall-based projection screen and integrate VR-style goggles to connect soldiers from different areas or bases. 

The Army is also working on the Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer, which supports training for both Army and Marine air and ground systems. The new Common Synthetic Environment also received the attention in April during tests. The technology combines dismounted ground and aviation systems to provide a “One World Terrain” based on real-world areas.

The AAR Corporation announced on Monday that the company has completed its first planned overhaul, age exploration and planned inspection of its first Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

“Delivering a mission-ready aircraft means executing a successful maintenance-repair plan. Many thanks to the AAR team for a job well done,” said Capt. Tony Rossi, Program Manager for NAVAIR’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Program (PMA-290). “As expected, there have been no significant aircraft condition findings.”

As part of a seven-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract signed in 2018 with the Navy, AAR is providing heavy depot airframe maintenance, as well as year-round field support, for the U.S. fleet. The P-8A aircraft arrived at AAR for its first Age Exploration Plan Depot (AEPD) visit, which is part of a systematic, scheduled maintenance requirement.

In addition to the P-8A program, AAR has also performed service on the U.S. Navy’s C-40, Clipper, Harrier Jet Sustainment, C-9 Nightingale and H60R fleets. All of the maintenance for the P-8A Program is performed at AAR’s Indianapolis facility, which has serviced over 2,000 B737 aircraft both for commercial and government customers

“Our team is honored to perform maintenance on the P-8A Poseidon for the U.S. Navy and ensure its operational-readiness for the warfighter,” said William Patton, AAR P-8A Program Manager and 20-year U.S. Navy veteran. “With our vast experience in B737s and long standing working relationship with military programs, AAR’s P-8A Program has excelled in meeting strict government compliance standards and maintaining the quality of the aircraft.”

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include parts supply; OEM solutions; integrated solutions; maintenance, repair, overhaul; and engineering. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include mobility systems and composite manufacturing operations.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology tested a miniature atomic clock designed to tick at optical frequencies. The experimental clock consists of rubidium atoms placed in a vapor cell and two frequency combs that function to link the ticks to low microwave frequencies, NIST said Friday.

The device operates at 275 milliwatts and is built to work at a handheld form factor. According to NIST, it can also potentially succeed traditional oscillators and assist in telecommunications and navigation applications.

“Ultimately, we expect this work to lead to small, low-power clocks that are exceptionally stable and will bring a new generation of accurate timing to portable, battery-operated devices,” said John Kitching, a fellow at NIST.

The clock was developed in partnership with Stanford University, Charles Stark Draper Laboratories and the California Institute of Technology. NIST plans to decrease the device’s size and integrate low-noise laser technologies in future updates.

The Air Force Research Laboratory unveiled an electronic system working to accommodate collaborative research and development initiatives for autonomous platforms. The Autonomy Research Collaboration Network is designed to rapidly carry out technology transition processes to further autonomous studies through the use of communication and speed functions, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base said Friday.

AFRL developed ARCNet through a $196 million agreement with the SPG Institute and is eligible for usage by Department of Defense organizations. The laboratory also plans to use the platform to support the U.S. Air Force’s 2030 Science and Technology Strategy.

“The consortium platform allows for a deeper dialogue between the government and potential performers on research projects, allowing the potential performers to participate in defining the requirements and execution strategy for a project,” said Corey Schumacher, chief technology officer of ARCNet project at AFRL.

According to AFRL, the system has several scheduled research projects planned for release to the network’s members.