Weapon targeting training system and method therefor

An aircraft based weapon targeting training system for training a forward controller to aim weaponry that is mounted on an aircraft, the weapon targeting training system including:

• a housing configured for attachment to an aircraft;
• a power source housed within the housing, the power source being configured for powering the weapon targeting training system;
• at least one or more transceivers housed within the housing, the at least one or more transceivers being configured for wireless communication with a surface terminal and a cockpit terminal and a helmet mounted display;
• at least one or more sensors housed within the housing, the sensors being configured for detecting one or more selected from:
• a location of the aircraft;
• an orientation of the aircraft;
• a velocity of the aircraft;
• an acceleration of the aircraft;
• an image from a target on the ground;
• an air speed of the aircraft;
• an altitude of the aircraft;
• a controller housed within the housing, the controller being configured for:
• storing digital terrain data;
• receiving a target signal from a surface terminal, the target signal being indicative of a ground target being targeted by the forward controller;
• transmitting the target signal wirelessly to the cockpit terminal in the cockpit of the aircraft;
• and
• receiving from the at least one or more sensors
• a positioning signal indicative of the location of the aircraft;
• and, optionally, one or more selected from;
• an altitude signal indicative of the altitude of the aircraft;
• an airspeed signal indicative of the airspeed of the aircraft;
• an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the aircraft;
• a velocity signal indicative of the velocity of the aircraft;
• an acceleration signal indicative of the acceleration of the aircraft;
• calculating the velocity of the aircraft from the positioning signal;
• and calculating a weapon trajectory for a dummy weapon based on one or more selected from:
• the positioning signal;
• the airspeed signal;
• the aircraft velocity;
• and
• the altitude of the signal;
• calculating one or more selected from a continuously calculated impact point (CCIP) and a continuously calculated release point (CCRP) from the weapon trajectory and digital terrain data;
• determining a CCIP display signal from the CCIP or a CCRP display signal from the CCRP and transmitting the respective one of the CCIP display signal or CCRP display signal wirelessly to the cockpit terminal (5000) or a helmet mounted display;
• receiving a pickle signal from a user actuating a pickle button in response to the respective one of the CCIP display signal or CCRP display signal received at the respective one of the cockpit terminal or helmet mounted display;
• and
• actuating the release of a dummy weapon on receipt of the pickle signal.