UAS Flight Training Devices
Learning how to operate a UAS system under a wide range of environmental conditions
is key to a student's success. UND Aerospace uses Flight Training Devices (FTD)
to ready students for all types of environmental conditions; all while safely
on the ground.
Predator / Reaper FTD
MQ-1 Predator
The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used primarily
by the United States Air Force (USAF) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Initially
conceived in the early 1990s for reconnaissance and forward observation roles, the
Predator carries cameras and other sensors but has been modified and upgraded to
carry and fire two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or other munitions.
MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (originally the Predator B) is an unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV), capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed
by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for use by the United States Air
Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the
Royal Air Force, and the Italian Air Force. The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred
to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the U.S. Air Force to indicate
their human ground controllers. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed
for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance.
ScanEagle FTD
The ScanEagle is a small, low-cost, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built
by Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing.
PMATS (Predator Mission Aircrew Training System)
L-3 Link Simulation & Training’s Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS)
is ushering in a new, advanced level of simulation to train pilots and sensor operators.
PMATS consists of a form, fit and function interface for the pilot and sensor operator
stations that uses ground control station hardware from General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems, Inc., builder of the Predator and Reaper aircraft.
L-3 has integrated this hardware with training system software to produce a high
fidelity training system that is unequaled within the unmanned aircraft system (UAS)
market today.
As part of its high fidelity solution, PMATS models Predator MQ-1 and Reaper MQ-9
systems, sensors and weapons. Robust environmental simulations support both initial
qualification and mission training, including emergency and abnormal procedures
training. PMATS also is integrated with instructional systems, including an Instructor
Operator Station (IOS) that supports brief and debrief capabilities. To support
collective training exercises, multiple PMATS units can be linked over both local
and long haul networks for Distributed Mission Operations (DMO).