Program Successes

CymSTAR E-4B Training Center

The contract included the design and construction of the E-4B training center now situated near Offutt AFB in La Vista, Nebraska. The facility, home to the high fidelity, full-motion E-4B simulator, has been operational since April 2022.

The training program delivers initial qualification, requalification, upgrade and follow-on training for pilots and flight engineers. The program was designed to prepare aircrews to fly the aircraft through realistic flight training, including aerial refueling, one of the toughest currencies to train and maintain due to the limited availability of aircraft and tankers.

In addition, CymSTAR is delivering training services and in-service support, including training center management and operation; E-4B high fidelity, full-motion flight simulation; FAA & USAF approved E-4B courseware; academic and simulator instruction; simulator upgrade and maintenance; and Training System Support Center (TSSC).

The program provides the Air Force with a safer, cost-effective and realistic training solution for aircrews while helping maximize fleet availability for operations.

KC-135 BOWSTs

CymSTAR delivered a prototype and eight KC-135 Stratotanker BOWSTs to the USAF Air Mobility Command. The trainers are designed to train boom operators in the challenging task of air refueling. 

Performing in-flight air refueling is costly, as it requires a receiving aircraft and tanker. An eight-hour tanker sortie typically totals over $49,000, without factoring in the cost of the receiver aircraft. The BOWST brought significant savings, training aircrews at a comparable cost of $4,800 or approximately $600 per hour.

Air-to-air refueling (AAR) is also considered a high-risk task to perform. The BOWST allows instructors to test boom operators’ skills in a wide range of scenarios while receiving real-time progress reports in a safe environment. 

CymSTAR’s KC-135 BOWST was the very first device qualified to ARASQ Revision C. In 2012, the USAF program team and CymSTAR were awarded Program of the Year by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Simulators Division (WNS).

A-10 ATS concurrency

CymSTAR was awarded the A-10 ATS contract over the incumbent to perform concurrency modification of USAF A-10 ATDs.

During the transition of the ATS, CymSTAR began a large concurrency modification for the A-10 ATDs to address risk and meet the compressed timeline to ensure the simulator modifications were completed prior to installation in the aircraft.

Under these constraints, we successfully completed the transition and major concurrency modification as required. This achievement marked the first time in the history of the ATS that the A-10 simulators were concurrent with the aircraft.

In 2013, the USAF program team and CymSTAR were awarded Program of the Year by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Simulators Division (WNS).

C-5 MATS Maintenance Trainer upgrades

CymSTAR managed the program while modifying eight C-5 MATS maintenance trainers: the Fuel Systems Trainer, Hydraulic Systems Trainer, Electrical Systems Trainer, Aircraft Pressurization Trainer, Nose Landing Gear and Main Landing Gear Trainers, Cargo Door and Ramp Systems Trainer and Air Refueling Part Task Trainer (ARPTT).

The upgrades solved multiple issues with obsolescence, also bringing the trainers up to the current C-5M configuration to make them concurrent with the aircraft. Since handing over the C-5 MATS program to the new and successful winner of the recompete, CymSTAR was provided the opportunity and awarded the C-5 MATS Avionics Maintenance System Trainer upgrade from the successor contractor, which is currently in execution.

C-5 ATS

CymSTAR was awarded the contract to upgrade the USAF C-5 ATS. The program consisted of modifying the Core Mission Computer/Weather Radar (CMC/WxR) and Communication, navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems. The contract was executed without deficiencies or delays. CymSTAR worked with two separate large contractors to provide a seamless installation process for both programs, allowing the simulators to be concurrent with the aircraft.

Additional Programs
  • KC-135 – Air Mobility Command (AMC), Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)
  • KC-10 – AMC
  • C-130J – AMC, ANG, AFRC, USAF in Europe
  • C-5 – AMC, ANG
  • C-5 MATS – AMC, Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
  • A-10 – Air Combat Command (ACC), ANG, AFRC
  • KC-46 – AMC
  • T-6 JPATS – AETC
  • F-16 – ACC
  • E-4B – Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)
  • RC-135 – ACC
  • AV-8B – Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD)
  • C-130T – Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
  • NCM3 – Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI)
  • AH-6 Little Bird – PEO STRI
Join Our Team
View all career opportunities
Apply Now