The US Navy has placed a second low-rate production order worth $24 million with Collins Aerospace for the Tactical Combat Training System – Increment II (TCTS II) Air Combat Training System.

The contract includes airborne and ground subsystems to be fielded at various US Navy training ranges. Developed and built by Collins Aerospace and teammate Leonardo DRS, TCTS II is a scalable and flexible open architecture system that enables highly secure air combat training among 4th and 5th generation US aircraft, as well as international aircraft. Using Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) technology, it simulates various tailored combat situations needed to train aviators like they fight.

TCTS II is preparing for upcoming final development test and operational flights this fall and is on track to complete Initial Operational Capability (IOC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon in late 2022. This is the final low-rate production order of TCTS II before entering full-rate production in early 2023.

NCS Fallon is the leading training facility for naval air warfare, and the first training range to field TCTS II. In a statement, Collins Aerospace said completing IOC at NAS Fallon is a critical step in demonstrating that TCTS II meets Navy requirements, as Carrier Air Wings must complete Air Wing Fallon training prior to deployment.

“TCTS II provides end-users the ability to train as they’ve never been able to train before, with secure cross-service air combat training and joint Live, Virtual, and Constructive-enabled capabilities,” said Heather Robertson, vice president, and general manager, Integrated Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “This program truly redefines the future of training. This type of technology enables warfighters and coalition partners to further perfect joint tactics against peer adversaries.”

TCTS II incorporates advanced systems and algorithms to operate effectively in a GPS degraded or denied environment.

According to Collins Aeropsace, TCTS II protects warfighting Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) and enables scalable training scenarios, from individual to large force, home stationed to deployed, and across service, allied and coalition security boundaries.