General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has upgraded its Predator Mission Trainer simulator for its customers operating MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft fleets.
GA-ASI installed the latest version of operational flight program software developed with CAE-USA and automatic takeoff and landing capabilities into the PMT simulator for enhanced mission training.
The PMT Plus software is designed to provide improved visual graphics for operationally realistic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission training and enhanced user interface to speed up the addition of elements into scenarios.
The software also reduces the PMT’s electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning demand.
David Alexander, president of GA-ASI, said the new software will simplify updating to new OFP versions in the future to meet customers’ operational needs.
“With this upgrade, our international customers can now train on the latest version of OFP for their fleets of MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft,” the executive said in a press release. “For our MQ-9A customers, the PMT Plus will be an exciting enhancement for them, enabling cutting-edge mission training.”
The PMT, purchased from CAE, has supported GA-ASI’s customer training simulations since 2020. The system is located at the company’s Flight Test and Training Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.