NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. – The Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Office (PMA-205) and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) are revolutionizing naval aviation training through the introduction of the T-45C Goshawk mixed-reality (MR) simulator, known as Project Link. This new technology aims to enhance the training of student aviators by combining physical and virtual elements to create a more immersive learning environment.
As part of the Navy’s broader Naval Aviation Training Next (NATN) program, Project Link is focused on leveraging extended reality (XR) technology, which includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and MR, to provide more efficient and personalized training for naval aviators. The NATN program explores the potential of XR trainers, offering tailored training programs and more advanced performance assessments. These technologies aim to complement traditional training methods, providing an alternative that can offer significant benefits without fully replacing current approaches.
Capt. Kevin McGee, program manager for PMA-205, highlighted the Navy’s shift towards MR technology as a key component of future training. “I am excited about the feedback from Chief of Naval Air Training instructors and students on mixed reality technology,” McGee said. “Industry has been improving mixed reality over the past five to seven years and I believe MR is now mature enough to provide significant value in the virtual training environment, replacing some of the larger, more expensive visual projector systems that are employed in our pilot training systems.”
MR systems have emerged as a promising addition to operational flight trainers, providing a more realistic and immersive experience by blending physical and virtual cockpit elements. With recent technological advancements, MR trainers offer an innovative solution for flight training, adding new depth to how student aviators engage with complex scenarios in real time.
The T-45C MR simulator has undergone thorough evaluation, particularly through the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program (PMA-273), to assess its readiness for wider use in the Navy’s undergraduate jet training pipeline. While early prototypes showed strong potential, there were initial limitations in certain functions that needed to be addressed. The PMA-205 and NAWCTSD teams worked closely to improve these issues, leading to the successful delivery of four enhanced MR training devices to Meridian, Mississippi, in April.
This milestone was supported by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program, which also funded the procurement of an additional 20 MR systems. Eight of these systems will arrive in Meridian, while 12 are set to be delivered to Kingsville, Texas, in 2025.
According to Cmdr. Lee “Scampi” Sciarini, deputy director of Research and Technology Programs at NAWCTSD, these systems are already proving their value. “These systems reached a level of readiness that allowed for their delivery and immediate integration into training programs. This successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in refining and advancing military training technologies,” Sciarini stated.
The importance of fleet feedback has been emphasized throughout the development of the T-45C MR trainer. Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Geeseman, PMA-205 Science and Technology Portfolio manager, noted the critical role that input from naval personnel played in shaping the final product. “These user-evaluation events provide the development teams the opportunity to more narrowly focus their efforts, ensuring that the T-45C MR trainer end product not only meets training requirements, but also exceeds fleet expectations in the look, feel, and ease-of-use of these leading-edge training systems,” Geeseman said.
As the Navy continues to push forward with its NATN program, Project Link and other XR-based technologies are expected to play a significant role in transforming aviation training. By integrating virtual and real-world elements, the Navy aims to create a more flexible, immersive, and effective training environment that prepares student aviators for the complex demands of modern naval aviation.
