Case Study: L-3 Communications boosts avionics training realism with DiSTI GL Studio

L-3 Communications builds 60-instrument cockpit trainers in under eight weeks with DiSTI

L-3 Communications, a major defense contractor, faced a challenge with the avionics displays in its Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT). The original virtual instrumentation lacked the necessary interactivity, performance, and realism required for high-quality military training. To upgrade this complex system, L-3 turned to vendor DiSTI and its GL Studio software product.

Using the GL Studio toolkit, DiSTI created reconfigurable, photorealistic cockpit interfaces for five different helicopter platforms. A key benefit was the software's ability to create reusable objects, which meant graphical elements only had to be built once. This approach allowed DiSTI to develop roughly 60 instruments with 200 active parameters in less than eight weeks, saving the U.S. Army considerable development time and significantly boosting the trainer's overall effectiveness.

L-3 Communications