CAE Australia to upgrade Royal Australian Air Force Hawk full-mission simulators with eye-tracking technology.

CAE today announced on August 24 that CAE Australia Pty Ltd has been awarded a contract by Australia’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group to upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) three Hawk Mk127 full-mission simulators with the innovative Crew Training System developed by Seeing Machines.

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One of the RAAF’s student pilots flies a Hawk Mk127 simulator at RAAF Base Williamtown during a trial of eye-tracking technology (Picture source: Commonwealth of Australia)

CAE Australia and Seeing Machines will collaborate to install and integrate the Crew Training System that features precision eye-tracking technology on the CAE-built Hawk Mk127 full-mission simulators used as part of the RAAF’s lead-in fighter training program. The eye-tracking technology improves aircrew training by providing objective insights and detailed data on where pilots are looking during training scenarios in the simulator.

CAE Australia, Seeing Machines and the RAAF proved the effectiveness of the eye-tracking capabilities over the past year during a research and development program where the Crew Training System was installed on one of the Hawk Mk127 full-mission simulators for 78 Wing at RAAF Williamtown.

“This is another great example of how government and industry can partner to deliver enhanced training and operational capability,” said Matthew Sibree, Managing Director, Indo-Pacific, CAE. “We are pleased to collaborate with Seeing Machines to improve the training program that helps prepare the next-generation fighter pilots for the Royal Australian Air Force.”

CAE Australia will have overall responsibility for upgrading two Hawk Mk127 full-mission simulators at RAAF Williamtown as well as one Hawk Mk127 full-mission simulator at RAAF Pearce. CAE Australia currently provides comprehensive training support services to the RAAF on the Hawk Mk127 lead-in fighter training program, including the provision of classroom and simulator instructors.

“We are delighted to be able to continue our engagement with CAE and the RAAF and move from an innovation program to a fully integrated operational training capability,” said Patrick Nolan, General Manager of Aviation at Seeing Machines. “This reinforces the value of eye tracking in support of pilot training and we look forward to partnering with CAE on this program and potentially others in the future.”

One of CAE’s instructors monitors a RAAF student pilot in a Hawk Mk127 simulator at RAAF Pearce during a trial of eye tracking technology (Picture source: Commonwealth of Australia)