Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD — The U.S. Navy has introduced cutting-edge virtual training technologies for its E-6B Mercury fleet, enhancing operator and maintainer education through modern 3D simulation systems. The initiative is led by the Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications Program Office (PMA-271), which has recently deployed the Multi-Purpose Reconfigurable Training System® (MRTS) at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, the main hub for the E-6B.
Following the MRTS, the Navy plans to deliver the Mission Avionics System Trainer (MAST) in August, completing a trio of advanced systems that also includes last year’s Virtual Checklist Trainer (VCT). This suite of technologies represents a significant leap forward in training capabilities for the fleet.
Developed in collaboration with Florida-based Proactive Technologies Inc. and JHT Inc., the MRTS and MAST projects are part of a broader effort involving PMA-271 and the Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Office (PMA-205), the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD).
The E-6B Mercury serves a dual role as a communications relay and strategic airborne command post, integral to the U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy. It supports critical missions such as Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) and Looking Glass, which connect U.S. leadership with nuclear forces and facilitate airborne launch control of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Barry Polk, NAWCTSD program manager and PMA-271’s training lead, highlighted the shift in training modalities: “We are bringing the E-6B from the ’80s into the 21st century. The generation entering the fleet is already adept at these 3D environments, which enhances the speed and quality of training.”
The MRTS 3D Panel Trainers offer interactive simulations for troubleshooting various aircraft systems. These replace outdated trainers from the 1980s, providing a more accurate and engaging learning experience. Trainees can interact with the systems using touch screens or video game controllers, learning to navigate the aircraft’s body and conduct maintenance virtually, thus reducing risk and costs associated with live aircraft training.
Instructors and students have been using these systems since January. CNATT instructor Coy Weese remarked on the effectiveness of the virtual environment: “With MRTS, we can repeat the training over and over, ensuring the information is retained and emphasizing the importance of precise maintenance.”
Students also find the training prepares them well for real-world tasks. Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Maribel Lopez shared, “When I got on the aircraft, it was exactly the same as MRTS. I knew where everything was located before I even saw the aircraft in person.”
The systems also provide financial efficiency, with the MRTS costing $3.7 million, shared between PMA-271 and PMA-205, and the VCT, which went online last June at a cost of $2.2 million funded by PMA-205.
As the E-6B fleet continues to serve beyond its initial life expectancy, thanks to a Service Life Extension Program, these training advancements are critical. They ensure that Navy personnel are well-prepared to operate and maintain the fleet effectively, maintaining a vital link in the U.S. strategic defense infrastructure.
