Air Force F-16 fighter pilots to hone their skills against digital adversaries in real-time using cutting-edge technology.

Red 6 Awarded Contract to Install Synthetic Air Combat Training System in F-16 Fighter Jets

Red 6, an Orlando-based hardware-enabled software company, has been awarded a significant contract to install the Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) into operational F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. This move marks a major expansion of Red 6's growing footprint across the U.S. Air Force and beyond.

The ATRS system, built on a low-latency, network-agnostic architecture, delivers high-resolution, full-color synthetic entities without compromising performance or safety. This innovative technology allows pilots to train against intelligent, maneuvering virtual adversaries in real-time during live flight.

The U.S. Air Force's F-16 fighter jets are set to receive an upgrade with the ATRS system. The system is mounted on the pilot's helmet and projects images of threats such as enemy jets, but these are simulations for training purposes. The ATRS system is already integrated into the T-38 Talon and is set to be installed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with plans for expansion to other aircraft.

The ATRS system supports next-generation collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) development, enables training in constrained airspace, and generates structured datasets to objectively assess pilot readiness. This technology is expected to revolutionise training methods for fighter pilots, providing them with realistic, immersive training experiences that mirror real-world combat scenarios.

Red 6's EVE Headset, a transformational leap in wearable augmented reality technology, enables outdoor use in full daylight and high-speed environments. The company's partnerships with major companies such as Boeing, Aeralis, Palantir, SNC, and Northrop Grumman further bolster its position as a leader in the field of augmented reality for military training.

The contract for the ATRS system has been awarded to Red 6 by Air Combat Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory. The company's successful integration of ATARS into the T-38 Talon signaled a major expansion of the company's growing footprint across the U.S. Air Force and beyond. With this latest contract, Red 6 believes that they are positioned as the first company in the world delivering real-time, in-flight synthetic air combat training directly into the cockpits of operational fighter jets.

The ATRS system is already integrated into the MC-130 with the U.S. Air Force and the BAE Systems Hawk T-2 with the U.K. Royal Air Force. This technology is set to transform the way fighter pilots train, providing them with the tools they need to excel in the increasingly complex and dynamic world of modern air combat.

Air Force F-16 fighter pilots to hone their skills against digital adversaries in real-time using cutting-edge technology.