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Background
– Advanced Distributed Combat Training System Project |
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ADCTS – the Advanced Distributed Combat Training System
In March 2004 DND announced a contract for six simulators and ten Part-Task Trainers (PTTs) [1] which "make up
the Advanced Distributed Combat Training System (ADCTS) project". ADCTS is what the military terms Distributed
Mission Training (DMT), a networked simulation allowing aircrews to train together despite being in different
locations. In other words, CF-18 pilots in Cold Lake and Bagotville can 'fly' virtual missions with
USAF F-16s 'piloted' from Mesa, Arizona.
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DMT was developed by the US Air Force 'Warfighter Training Division' and consists of a cockpit simulator,
image generators, and operational software (left). WTD and DRDC Toronto "have worked together on inter-simulator
networking issues" to make sure that CF aircrew simulators were compatible with USAF kit. WTD provided the CF-18
MTT (Multi-Task Trainer, below left) DRDC developed the Aircraft Crewstation Demonstrator (right) which can be
adapted to simulate different types of CF aircraft. Although the ACD can be quickly reconfigured to represent
an CF-18, it doesn't satisfy DND's demand for networked training.
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"... the long and winding road ..." leading to ADCTS
What the Air Force chose instead is a 'Canadianized' version of the US Navy/USMC's Tactical
Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT right) designed by Link. ADCTS, as described, sounds completely straightforward. The
CF-18 fleet is being modernized and upgraded to allied F/A-18 standards.
Advanced cockpit simulators exist already for updated F/A-18s. So why was the ADCTS project zeroed in on
during the CF-18 upgrade's audit?
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What puzzled the auditors was the almost endless delays in placing an order for the ADCTS. This project was
begun in late 1999, funding was approved in May 2002, and the full simulators were to be operational by April
2003. But the ADCTS "fell behind schedule when it went before a series of departmental project committees, each
with its own mandate and review processes, for approvals". A contract was not awarded for a further two years.
As a result, un-networked PTTs [2] had to fill in until September of 2005, the earliest that the manufacturer
could deliver full simulators to the CF. By that time, CF fighter pilots had been flying modernized CF-18s for two
years without being able to make full use of the capabilities of their updated Hornets. This
is not the fault of government or slow contractors. Rather, it is attributable to the wasteful
bureaucratic culture of DND procurement.
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[1] The $200M contract was awarded to Bombardier Inc. partnered with Link Systems. Link refers to its 'full'
simulators as the ACE (or Air Combat Emulator). The ACE was also chosen by Australia as HACTS (Hornet AirCrew
Training System) for the RAAF's F/A-18 upgrade.
[2] Then-Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Ray Henault was quoted saying "[t]he full mission training
capability of the ADCTS simulators will allow our pilots to accomplish CF-18 tasks that in the past were not possible
outside of actual combat". These words were well chosen. It is only with the full simulators that ADCTS
does its job. The PTTs were meant to be an adjunct to the simulators not a substitute system.
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