SIMULATORS
Long Wave has developed stimulation systems that can actively stimulate mission avionics for the purposes of training or stress testing communications suites. The Long Wave Stimulator System provides integrated voice and data communications, an air vehicle emulator, and an instructor or operator station if required.
Long Wave has provided the United States Navy Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Detachment Tinker AFB, with the technology that enhanced the capabilities of the E-6B Mission Avionics Systems Trainers (MASTs) through the use of Long Wave’s Stimulation System (LWSS). Long Wave modified a partial maintenance trainer to incorporate interactive multi-task communication system emulation. This enhanced capability enables first-time Mission Specialist trainees to experience the mission environment before they fly a real mission.
Additionally, Long Wave provided Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Airborne Strategic Communications Engineering and Test (ASCET) Faculty with a specially designed LWSS for the purpose of stress testing its Systems Integration Lab (SIL). This capability gives development and integration engineers the capability to test multiple systems for operational effectiveness and suitability as well as initial Emergency Action Message (EAM) certification required by DISA and the Joint Staff.
LWSS has also been used to stimulate actual aircraft or operational communication equipment. A Mobile LWSS was developed and fielded to PMA-271 and the VX-20 Test Team for purposes of transporting to an aircraft for system testing and evaluation. This scaled-down version of the LWSS combines all functions into one 4U hardened case to maintain its mobile nature.
LWSS has High Level Architecture (HLA) capabilities in accordance with IEEE 1516-2010.
Long Wave produces and modifies Weapon Systems Trainers (WSTs) for the United States Military. Virtualized training provides several advantages over On-the-Job Training (OJT) or hardware defined training devices. By reutilizing operational software or emulating actual systems a dynamic and flexible training experience can be created for students.
Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Seven (VQ-7), the E-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron, currently operates two WST devices. Long Wave is solely responsible for the fabrication and installation of the second, most recent WST at Tinker AFB. This device simulates the Communication Central Compartment of the E-6B as well as the Reel Operator, High Power Transmit System Station and Command Management LAN positions combined with four instructor stations. Leveraging a mix of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) products with specially designed consoles and an audio system, this WST has become the preferred device for Fleet training.
Long Wave also develops the virtual emulations that drives the hardware. Specifically, Long Wave has updated the WST software multiple times and is currently developing Block II E-6B virtual communication suite for hosting on the WST devices at Tinker AFB.
Strategic Command (STRATCOM) also has commissioned the development of a Battlestaff WST for training its Airborne Command Post crews. This device was custom designed to accurately represent the space constraints of the aircraft while providing specialized virtual emulations to the crews. Specific Battlestaff virtual system emulations were integrated into the WST architecture to meet STRATCOM’s training requirements.
Long Wave produces a Weapons systems trainer On Wheels (WOW) portable virtual training tool to assist self-guided or instructor guided lessons and labs. Depending on the nature of the training required, the WOW device can be configured in multiple configurations. The base model has a large 55-inch High Definition (HD) monitor with touch-screen overlay mounted to a stand on rollers that can easily, yet safely, be moved to the customer’s desired location. A micro-computer is mounted to the back of the monitor to save space and reduce the WOWs footprint. The monitor can be mounted in portrait or landscape orientation, or multiple monitors can be mounted in portrait orientation if needed.
This dynamic tool promotes student interaction and learning with relevant hands-on experiences. Re-enforcing lectured or written leaning with practical application keeps the student active, aware, and interested.
TRAINING
Long Wave has a training team that consists of Instructional Systems Designers (ISDs), technical writers, graphic designers, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The ISDs have graduate degrees in instructional design/technology and have extensive experience providing effective training solutions to both military and civilian customers. The SMEs have prior military experience not only as operators but as Master Training Specialists (MTS). This enables the academic-based design created by the ISD team to be tempered by real-world expectations.
Long Wave maintains expertise in Instructional Systems Design (ISD) and curriculum development and can build custom training from the ground up. The training team provides quality deliverables through the use of conventional and custom instructional design models.
Capabilities include:
- Project management
- Analyses (including Front End Analysis [FEA], Job Duty Task Analysis [JDTA], Learning Analysis and others depending on requirements)
- Instructional design and development
- Training delivery/implementation
- Training evaluation
Between 2013 and 2014, Long Wave revised the Master Task List, a training document listing occupational tasks for TACAMO aircrews, to reflect the updated Block I E-6B Mercury Air Combat Weapons and Tactics (MACWT) curriculum.
In 2015, Long Wave conducted a Front End Analysis of the upcoming Block II-modified E-6B Mercury to determine the impact to crew composition and training requirements. This holistic evaluation aided naval decision makers with their update to the Navy Training System Plan (NTSP) for the Block II E-6B.
During the development of the Nova/(Nova Information Exchange Terminal) NIXT curriculum, Long Wave utilized a custom rapid prototype version of the ADDIE model.
Between 2013 and 2015, Long Wave was contracted to revise, maintain, and provide SME support for the E-6B Air Combat Training Systems (ACTS) Computer Based Training (CBT).
DoD Training Starting in 2012, Long Wave was placed on contract in response to Chief of Naval Operations Task Force URGENT SENTINEL. In less than five months, Long Wave designed, developed, and implemented a training solution for the Navy’s primary nuclear command and control information delivery system. Today their team conducts more than 42 training courses annually at DoD sites around the world.
Long Wave currently provides Contract Support Services (CSS) to several functional groups for the E-6B (TACAMO) community including the creation and delivery of Nuclear Command and Control scenarios utilizing the Mission Avionics Systems Trainer (MAST) Stimulator, and Weapons System Trainer (WST) for crew-required operational training, certification, and currency. Long Wave also provides Aircrew Training System (ATS) support for the operation, maintenance, and engineering services in support of the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT).