3.3 Modeling, Simulation, Stimulation and Analysis Support

FDE Prime Contract: N61339-02-D-0001 (Zones 4 & 6). As part of the S-3B Communication Improvement Program (CIP) delivery order of this contract, FDE made significant alterations to the existing S-3B trainer baseline and integrated new equipment and software for modified applications through installation of the CIP on the S-3B WSTs and PTCM. Specifically, FDE performed the necessary engineering and technical support services required to complete the fabrication of all production modification kits. To accomplish the CIP modification, FDE removed the analog Inter‑Communication System (ICS) and Radio Simulation System hardware from the S-3B trainers and replaced it with a state-of-the-art digital communications system. The CIP modification added capabilities to the S-3B that are simulated over a MIL‑STD-1553B data bus. The new communication system consists of a rack-mounted PC and two SMx Audio chassis, which provide analog-to-digital conversions and audio signal processing. All student and instructor audio channels were routed to the new communication system via the Nav/Comm chassis. Finally, we performed a series of modifications to the Avionics System by replacing all existing Communications Control Group (CCG) equipment. CIP software modifications were required to accurately simulate the new aircraft capabilities. Software for the UHF radio system, the HF radio system, and the ICS system was modified to interface with the new hardware. New software was added to simulate the operation of the ARC-182 VHF/UHF radio and SATCOM modem.