| SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Environmental
Tectonics Corporation (Amex: ETC) unveiled today the Authentic Tactical Flight Simulator Model 400 [ATFS 400]. The Authentic Tactical Flight Simulator Model 400 (ATFS 400) is the world's first ground-based simulator capable of creating a truly authentic simulated tactical maneuvering environment. Utilizing the proprietary centrifuge and simulation technology developed and enhanced by ETC over the past two decades, high-fidelity models of the airplane's dynamic performance, the threats and other battle space factors are integrated into the motion controls to create a fully authentic flight environment for any specific combat aircraft. The ATFS 400 holds the distinction of being the world's highest performance manned centrifuge. Powered by a six thousand horsepower motor, the design of this high-fidelity dynamic motion system demonstrates the unique expertise of ETC in centrifuge engineering. Combining high bandwidth technology with ETC's proprietary G-Point™ technology enables the ATFS 400 to simulate the precise dynamic forces and moments corresponding to the response of a specific fighter to pilot inputs in tactical maneuvering. The ATFS 400 versatility is further enhanced by the modular cockpit design. Installing an aircraft-specific modular cockpit and virtual simulation software enables the ATFS 400 to be reconfigured in less than two hours to simulate any specific operational aircraft. Each modular cockpit is equipped with it's own unique wide field-of-view visual system, specific cockpit instruments and flight controls. ATFS creates an authentic environment for tactical pilots to polish their skills to fly to the "edge of the envelope" without the risk of a mishap loss - and at a cost per unit of hands-on experience nearly twenty times less than in airborne training. Building expertise in a safe, low-cost simulated environment hedges the bet against the risk of mishap - a costly and deadly consequence of making a mistake in tactical maneuvering. ATFS 400 provides the added advantage of challenging the combat pilot to fly and fight against realistic combat threats before they take to the air. ATFS 400 will revolutionize the way tactical pilots learn and maintain their skills. Networked with another ATFS or other high fidelity simulators, the ATFS 400 will be able to provide tactical pilots the most authentic experience short of actual combat. Hands-on experience is the acknowledged best way to hone combat piloting skills to a sharp edge. By flying their own and potential adversary aircraft to the edge of the aircraft performance envelope, tactical pilots can build the insight to win their first fight -and every fight. ATFS 400 promises to improve combat readiness, enhance safety and save the taxpayers 100's of millions of dollars annually by reducing training costs, decreased qualifying time, lowering the dropout rate and reducing risk of aircraft mishaps. ATFS will add more "hands-on time", augmenting the flying time sharply limited today by a smaller force size and budget constraints. The use of authentic simulators has transformed pilot training and testing in commercial airlines with a powerful return on investment. ETC believes a similar market will emerge for ETC's ATFS 400 as military leaders come to recognize the cost, safety and readiness advantages of authentic tactical pilot simulator training. ETC estimates a potential market of more than 100 simulators with a market value of approximately 2 billion dollars. ETC also designs, develops, installs and maintains aircrew training systems, process simulation systems (sterilization and environmental), clinical hyperbaric systems, environmental testing and simulation systems, public entertainment systems and related products for domestic and international customers. This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any other future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "continue," or the negative of such terms or similar expressions. Factors that may cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, contract cancellations, political unrest in customer countries, general economic conditions, and those issues identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange commission filings and other public documents, including, without limitation, our Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 22, 2002 |
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