Inzpire’s GECO Mission Support System is now enhancing mission planning capabilities for RAF and Royal Navy mission aircrew training at RNAS Culdrose.
GECO is designed to improve situational awareness and decision-making for military aircrew. It provides detailed mapping and tactical planning tools, and real-time data integration, that allow personnel to plan, brief, execute and debrief missions more effectively. GECO enables crews to undertake critical calculations more efficiently, with automated features that verify the safety and accuracy of mission plans and alert users to potential issues.
The new software will be used alongside Lockheed Martin’s Ground Mission Trainer and the Avenger T1 twin-engine aircraft – an advanced training platform that is used for delivery of Phase 2 training for Royal Naval Observers and Royal Air Force Weapon System Operators, prior to conversion onto operational aircraft such as the RN Merlin Mk2 and Wildcat helicopters and the RAF Poseidon and Rivet Joint.
The system forms part of the wider Rear Crew Stage 1 sustainment programme, a multi-million-pound MOD investment through Ascent, which addresses obsolescence issues with the legacy training system equipment, enhances ground-based synthetic devices and courseware, and ensures the continuation of mission aircrew training as part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).
Eight GECO mission planning and debrief systems will be integrated with ground and air-based training equipment, including simulators. These systems will support the development of capabilities across search and rescue, anti-surface warfare and overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
GECO’s planning functionality is being used by Avenger crews, with standard search patterns, custom search grids and sensor footprint planning features available. The ability to transfer GECO’s planning data between training environments allows trainees to access the same data within both the Avenger aircraft and the Ground Mission Trainer, improving consistency between live and synthetic training sorties and skill development.
“We are proud of the collaboration between Ascent, Lockheed Martin and Inzpire to field GECO as Ascent’s mission planning facility for our Mission Aircrew training. The industry team has worked with our military customers to ensure the capability meets their needs, supporting both instructors and trainees within our programme and helping enhance our safety standards and operational efficiency.”
Chloe Barker, Ascent Managing Director
Inzpire will provide ongoing support to the programme through its provision of automated and safety-assured airspace information – including NOTAMS and Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control data – helping to align training with current operational requirements.
“Inzpire is delighted to be able to support Ascent and Lockheed Martin UK in rolling out significant enhancements to aircrew training in the UK. GECO helps trainee aircrew visualise their mission before and after flight, allowing them to better develop the fundamentals required for a safe, effective career in military aviation.”
John Sweet, Director of Mission Systems, Inzpire
The contract builds on Inzpire’s established relationship with Ascent, with an additional 21 systems planned to support the Future ISTAR and Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS) programme at RNAS Culdrose and RAF Cranwell. It is already used as the mission planning system across five UKMFTS sites.
