Project 2360, the Tactical Combat Trainer (TCT), was an Air Force Engineering Development Program to develop two prototype Weapon System Trainers (WST) for training A-10, F-15, and F-16 pilots for combat. Each prototype was to consist of two visual simulation systems integrated with two previously manufactured Operational Flight Trainers (OFT) to form a single WST. The two separate cockpit stations would permit two pilots to "fly" mutual support missions or as opponents in air-to-air combat. The WST was designed to provide full mission training for air-to-air and air-to-surface combat tasks. The TCT prototypes were being developed under contract by the General Electric Company and the Singer Company for a "fly off" to select a production contractor. Approximately two years into the program, these contracts were terminated due to USAF budget problems. Before termination, however, important studies and developments were completed in the visual simulation area by each contractor. Both Singer and GE proposed an Area-of-Interest (AOI) visual system and used Computer Image Generation (CIG). The General Electric approach was based upon a head-slaved AOI infinity image display. The Singer-Link approach was based upon an eye-slaved AOI projected on a dome.
The Technical Contributions of the Tactical Combat Trainer Development Program
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