The document discusses interoperability of autonomous air combat maneuvering instrumentation (AACMI) systems, which are used by many air forces for air combat training. It notes that modern training requires AACMI systems from different countries and aircraft to be interoperable. The Flight Profile Recorder (FPR) system developed by Diehl BGT Defence has been adopted as the standard in Europe and several other countries due to its interoperability, which allows for joint training missions involving over 100 aircraft. NATO has also established guidelines to promote interoperability of AACMI systems.

1. Interoperability of
AACMI Systems –
The key to modern Air Combat Training

2. Interoperability of AACMI Systems –
Air Combat Training has made a big step forward since Auton-
omous Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (AACMI)
systems are used in many Air Forces around the world for every-
day-training. Dissimilar and multinational Air Combat Training is
needed to fulfil the tasks that came up during several conflicts
where cooperative and joint operations are required. Missions
with more than 100 participating aircraft are not exceptional
anymore and all operators must understand the different tactics
used to achieve acceptable results
.
Training with modern fighter aircraft has become very expensive
and many defence budgets are still shrinking. An efficient train-
ing mission is only possible when all data are recorded and can
be used for the debriefing and analysis. An Autonomous AACMI
System is the basis for every modern Air Force and there is no
doubt, that many flying hours and consequently a lot of money
can be saved.
By the use of a powerful Data Link the mission can be moni-
tored in real time and many features, like anti-collision warning,
are increasing flight safety, which is paramount for all training
missions.
Diehl BGT Defence is the AACMI-System market leader in Eu-
rope with its FLIGHT PROFILE RECORDER (FPR). The FPR system
is already being used with great success in the Belgian, German,
Italian, Norwegian and Swiss Air Force as well as the ACO TLP
(Tactical Leadership Program), NATO’s tactical training school in
Europe, which is now based in Albacete, Spain.
In France, UK, Turkey, Portugal and the Netherlands, interoper-
able AACMI-Systems using the same data-link frequency and
protocol have been acquired to participate in the European
AACMI-standard, recommended by the NATO ACMI Working
Group. The FPR-System consists of a Planning- and Debriefing-
Station, aircraft mounted pods and the RTTP (Real Time Track-
ing and Positioning) System. Using our unique and extremely
powerful data link transceiver, all FPR equipped aircraft commu-
nicate in real-time. The optional RTTP-System enables real-time
monitoring for better situational awareness.
The system includes air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon simula-
tion and is integrated to more than 20 different aircraft types in-
cluding F-16, Mirage 2000, Gripen and Eurofighter “Typhoon”.
The flight safety suite provides a wide spectrum of warning
messages as well as the unique collision avoidance function.
Diehl BGT Defence’ industrial alliance with MBDA and Dassault
contributes to a most successful integration of the FPR -System
to French aircraft types.
NATO and AACMI
The NATO AACMI Working Group (WG) has been established
in 1995 with the task to coordinate and encourage acquisi-
tion/ upgrading/modernization of AACMI capabilities to achieve
NATO-wide interoperability. In the longer term the working
group would identify future AACMI requirements taking into
account emerging technologies.
In 1996 this WG has submitted the NATO Staff Requirement
(NSR) which describes and defines the NATO requirements for
AACMI systems and the expected performance.
All operational requirements are clearly listed.
One of the most important statements in terms of interoper-
ability is that the Data Link of an AACMI system has to show
commonality with other nations’ similar systems.
The NSR defines a basic and extended level and gives a clear
indication how a NATO compatible and interoperable system
should be designed.
Today the NATO Air Force Armaments Group (Aerospace Capa-
bility Group) has taken over the task to follow up interoperability
issues resulting from the former ACMI WG and the NIAG ACMI
Study (SG 71).
The AACMI situation in Europe
The German Air Force was the first one in Europe to introduce
the FPR-System, which now is the standard AACMI system in
Europe. Since then nine other European countries plus the ACO
TLP (Tactical Leadership Program) have decided to select this
system or derivatives of it, for the high-value training of their
aircrews. These systems comply with the above mentioned NSR
and are fully interoperable.

3. Interoperable AACMI-Systems in Europe
RAIDS
FPR
FPR
FPR
FPR
FPR
NL AACMI
PAF AACMI
Semac
Anatolian
TLP

4. Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG
P.O. Box 101155
88642 Überlingen
Phone +497551 89-6789
Fax +497551 89-2104
E-Mail: info@diehl-bgt-defence.de
www.diehl-bgt-defence.de
D-PRM/02.2010
The NIAG AACMI Study Group
This study was presented as one of NAFAG’s (NATO Air Force Armament Group)
top priorities for NIAG (NATO Industrial Advisory Group) studies. The matter
attracted NIAG’s special attention, against the background of its “top-ten” list
presented to the CNAD (Conference of National Armament Directors) which had
identified a key element for aligning training and doctrine and improving coali-
tion warfare.
The purpose of the study was to maintain current interoperability of AACMI
systems within NATO and make suggestions on their future evolution.
Air combat training provides aircrews the ability to gain experience with their
fighter aircraft in war-like flight operations. This training is currently accom-
plished either with existing ACMI or AACMI systems, or without instrumenta-
tion. In the future, air combat training systems must include the capability to
train aircrews using next generation aircraft and weapon technologies. Without
enhancements in air combat training instrumentation, such advanced weapon
system training would be prohibitively expensive, or impossible to conduct in a
live training scenario.
Air combat training systems are used to provide aircrews with training for various
mission types including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and surface-to-air. This training
may include only a small number of same-type aircraft from a single squadron,
or may include a large number of different fighters, bombers, helicopters, and
support aircraft.
In the future, air combat training will have to be adapted to accommodate
emerging technologies such as stealth aircraft and Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV)
which require adaptations in AACMI system architecture to allow them to be
interoperable with both current and future AACMI systems.
These architectural changes will need to accommodate a variety of technologi-
cal advances including internally carried weapon stores, and highly integrated
aircraft architectures requiring embedded AACMI components to be designed as
part of the host aircraft. Furthermore, these architectural changes will need to be
adaptable in order to support evolving air combat training doctrine as Air Forces
prepare for operations against developing threats and countermeasures.
The study was carried out by 27 experts of 16 companies from eight NATO na-
tions and lasted one year. The result was a comprehensive data basis of 18 differ-
ent ACMI/AACMI systems and a total of 30 recommendations to NATO.
Diehl BGT Defence was elected to chair the study and contributed considerable
expertise in developing and producing modern state of the art AACMI Systems.