Cubic to design JSF combat training system

Cubic Corp. has won a $50.3 million subcontract from Lockheed Martin Corp. to design and integrate an air combat training system for the F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter.

Under the terms of the contract, Cubic Defense Applications will deliver five prototypes as part of the fighter plane's system development and demonstration. The prototypes include airborne instrumentation, ground station planning and software systems to debrief pilots.

The new training system is based on Cubic's pod-based P-5 combat training system technology, the company said

The JSF is a sophisticated combat jet that will be tailored to meet the unique requirements of the Air Force, Navy and Marines. A number of allied nations also will use the JSF.

The internal subsystem Cubic will develop will be integrated in the aircraft as an embedded feature, similar to an avionics system, said Philip Fisch, senior director of business development for air ranges for Cubic Defense Applications. It can be easily removed if needed, he said.

"The subsystem is interoperable with P5 training systems now being produced, so fighter pilots using pod-based or embedded P5 systems will be able to train with F-35 systems," he said.

Cubic Defense Applications is the defense segment of Cubic Corp, based in San Diego. The parent company ranks No. 83 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.