The US Air Force has enlisted the services of Red 6, a Florida-based augmented reality solutions firm, to provide its cutting-edge AR system for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The company’s Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) will allow F-16 pilots to engage in live training against intelligent, maneuvering virtual adversaries in real-time while they are airborne.
In an announcement made to Breaking Defense, Red 6’s CEO, Daniel Robinson, a former British Royal Air Force pilot, indicated that the integration process will begin with two F-16s over the next 12 to 18 months. This initiative is particularly notable given the F-16’s widespread use among the US military and its allies. According to Robinson, this partnership represents a significant milestone as it marks the ATARS’s first application in an operational combat jet, paving the way for a potential future program of record in air combat training.
“This is more than a contract — it’s a validation of our vision and a signal that the future of air combat training has arrived,” Robinson stated, underscoring the implications of this technological advancement.
Beyond the F-16, the ATARS has already been incorporated into various aircraft, including the USAF’s MC-130, the UK Royal Air Force’s Hawk T-2, and the T-38 Talon trainer platform. Red 6 has also established integration partnerships with industry giants, including Boeing in 2022 and Lockheed Martin along with Korea Aerospace Industries in 2023.
The ATARS system comprises a helmet-mounted optical system, cabling, and in-cockpit computer systems that are compatible across a multitude of communication networks and platforms. It features low latency and delivers high-resolution, full-color synthetic entities, which provide pilots with a realistic and immersive training experience. This allows them to engage with virtual enemies and threat objects, in addition to recognizing friendly assets.
One of the key advantages of ATARS is its capability to generate structured datasets, which can be crucial for assessing pilot readiness. This functionality is aligned with the USAF’s initiative aimed at next-generation collaborative combat aircraft programs, designed to deploy “loyal wingmen” drones in conjunction with crewed fighter jets.
Robinson emphasized that the ATARS system can significantly mitigate the high costs and limitations associated with training involving human pilots as red team adversaries. Additionally, it addresses the shortcomings of advanced simulators that often fail to replicate the cognitive demands faced by pilots during actual flights. The integration of this technology marks a transformative step for pilot training and operational readiness within the US Air Force.
