Cubic Helps Present Final Recommendations on Interoperability of Air Combat Training Systems to NATO Air Forces; Compatible Systems Would Improve Joint Training and Readiness.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2002

The work of Cubic Corp. (AMEX:CUB) and 13 other defense companies around the world has culminated in new recommendations for "interoperability" standards that would permit all NATO fighter pilots to train together.

The recommendations are the result of a yearlong study by 23 experts on air combat training systems from 14 companies in seven countries brought together by the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). NIAG submitted its recommendations on interoperability to the NATO Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (AACMI) Working Group at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The formal presentation was made by a three-member study management team composed of representatives from U.S. and German companies. The recommendations were discussed in detail at the meeting and the member nations of the AACMI Working Group will now evaluate them and provide formal national positions later this year.

Philip J. Fisch, director of business development for training systems for the Cubic Defense Applications group and a member of the study management team, said the ultimate goal of the effort is to improve combat readiness among NATO fighter pilots.

"Joint training ensures that participants don't learn about other's tactics for the first time during war," Fisch said. "There are a dozen different varieties of fighter jets used in NATO, and the tactics employed differ from country to country. Obviously, it is important during coalition operations that the partners know each other's tactics so they can work together."

Fisch said the lack of common interface standards is one key obstacle to interoperability. He said the companies that manufacture air combat training systems, including Cubic, have their own proprietary interface technologies. In addition, there are security requirements to prevent transmission of classified data. These requirements can also limit system interoperability.

Among the interoperability study committee's recommendations are:

-- NATO should develop a standard for common interfaces, and require common and open interfaces in future AACMI procurements.

-- NATO should establish a standard NATO AACMI security policy.

-- NATO should agree upon criteria for certifying AACMI security systems.

Another idea that Fisch said could be adopted relatively quickly and easily is to standardize the Data Transfer Device protocol used to store the mission data in the pod. These are typically flash memory cards similar to those used in digital cameras. If the protocol were common, this would at least allow NATO countries with incompatible systems to brief and debrief together.

Currently, different types of air combat training systems used in NATO countries limit the ability of NATO pilots to train together. These systems all have two main components: airborne wing-mounted instrumentation pods and ground-based debriefing systems with visual displays. The wing-mounted instrumentation pods are designed to be the same size, shape and weight as the missiles that fighter jets carry in real combat situations. The pods contain electronic components that simulate and record weapons-firing events, including hits and misses, and also give real-time "kill" or "miss" notification. They also include GPS technology to simultaneously track dozens of high-activity aircraft and a two-way data link for communication between both air- and ground-based exercise participants.

The Cubic Defense Applications group, one of Cubic's two major segments, produces instrumented air and ground combat training systems, battle command training, simulations and simulation support for U.S. and allied military forces. The group also produces high technology avionics, data links and communications products for government and commercial customers, and a wide range of technical and logistics services. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's Web site at www.cubic.com.