Collins Aerospace announced today it has been awarded the second low-rate production order for Tactical Combat Training System – Increment II (TCTS II) Air Combat Training System by the U.S. Navy. The contract – valued at $24M – includes both airborne and ground subsystems and will support fielding requirements at various USN training ranges. 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.
“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. This program truly redefines the future of training.” said Heather Robertson, vice president, and general manager, Integrated Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “This type of technology enables warfighters and coalition partners to further perfect joint tactics against peer adversaries.”
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 Gen 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. Tactical Combat Training System – Increment II is scheduled to complete the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) milestone in late 2022 at NAS Fallon, which is the leading training facility for naval air warfare, and the first training range to field TCTS II. 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.
Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp., is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the extensive capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and broad expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.