Red 6 Secures Historic Contract with U.S. Air Force
Red 6, an innovative company specializing in hardware-enabled software solutions, has taken a bold step in military training by securing a pivotal contract with the U.S. Air Force. This contract focuses on the integration of Red 6's groundbreaking Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) into the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon. This achievement positions Red 6 as the pioneer in delivering real-time, in-flight synthetic air combat training integrated directly into the cockpits of operational fighter jets.
Daniel Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of Red 6, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This is more than a contract — it's a validation of our vision and a signal that the future of air combat training has arrived." The ATARS system represents a revolutionary leap in pilot training, aimed at replicating the cognitive complexities that fighter pilots face in real-world engagements. The successful integration of ATARS into the F-16 is just the beginning of a transformative phase for military aviation training.
This ambitious endeavor builds upon Red 6's previous successes, which included the integration of ATARS into the T-38 Talon. The new contract signifies a significant expansion of Red 6's influence within the U.S. Air Force and potentially beyond its borders. With ATARS, pilots will have the opportunity to engage with intelligent virtual adversaries in real-time during live flights, allowing for an immersive training experience that balances the realism of live operations alongside the flexibility of simulation training.
The ATARS technology employs a low-latency, network-agnostic architecture, thus ensuring high-resolution synthetic entities without sacrificing performance or safety. The system is designed to support the development of next-generation collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) and allows for training in constrained airspace while also generating structured datasets to objectively assess pilot readiness.
Moreover, ATARS is not limited to the F-16 and T-38; it has also been integrated into the MC-130, serving the U.S. Air Force, as well as the BAE Systems Hawk T-2, utilized by the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. Red 6 further strengthens its capabilities through active integration partnerships with notable firms including Boeing, Aeralis, Palantir, SNC, and Northrop Grumman.
About Red 6
Founded with the mission to address the military flight training crisis, Red 6 is pioneering the creation of hyper-realistic synthetic training experiences through the ATARS platform. This innovative system allows the replication of threat-relevant, near-peer level training scenarios outdoors, ensuring cost-effective enhancements to safety, airspace limitations, and the training of next-gen collaborative combat aircraft, all while yielding significant environmental benefits.
About Air Force Research Laboratory
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) serves as the primary scientific research and development hub for the Department of the Air Force. With a workforce exceeding 11,000 across various technology sectors and operations around the globe, AFRL contributes essential science and technology expertise that facilitate the discovery and integration of advanced warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace operations. For further information, please visit
www.afresearchlab.com.
As Red 6 continues to forge ahead in military aviation training, the future of air combat training is rapidly evolving, promising enhanced safety and operational readiness for the warriors of the sky.