Calspan continues to be the world leader in the use of In-Flight Simulators (IFS) for airborne Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E). Calspan developed the first IFS in the 1940’s and now operates 5th-generation Learjet IFS aircraft. IFS were originally designed to assist with the development of manned aircraft. Today, IFS have found their niche as effective Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Surrogates. Calspan Learjet IFS have and continue to play a major role in the development of Sense and Avoid (SAA) and Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) UAV technologies, implementing actual UAV systems in an airframe that replicates the flight dynamics of the real aircraft, manned or unmanned.

The onboard programmable Fly-by-Wire (FBW), or Variable Stability System (VSS), is designed to take commands from either a pilot onboard the aircraft, a sensor operator in the main cabin, a UAV operator on the ground, or an autonomous control algorithm. The system architecture is set up such that extensive Validation and Verification (V&V) testing is not required before flight. Calspan’s staff of experienced test pilots, engineers, technicians, and mechanics are ready to assist customers with the safe and efficient design, installation, and flight test of prototype UAV and other airborne systems.

• 4-Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) in-flight simulation capability
  • Replicate flight dynamics of simulated vehicle
  • Pitch, roll, yaw, and x-axis (thrust) control
  • Fully programmable
• Radar and camera mounts in nose
  • Unique radome modifications and fabrication
• Electrical Power
  • 155 Amps of 28 VDC from engine-driven generators
  • Invert to 115 VAC, 60 Hz AC
• Networking
  • ARINC 429, ARINC 573, Mil-Std-1553, RS-232, Ethernet, USB, Serial
• Digital data recording
• Telemetry
  • L-Band (including Freewave Data Link), S-band
• Available cabin volume: ~175 ft3
  • Up to (2) Flight Test Engineer (FTE) stations

2041 Niagara Falls Blvd. | Niagara Falls, New York 14304
Tel: 716.236-1000 | Fax: 716.236-1001 | www.calspan.com