US Air Force to integrate F-16s with augmented reality training system
Software company Red 6 has won a contract with the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate its ATARS (Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System) into the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
On August 15, 2025, Red 6 said that the contract was awarded to the company through Air Combat Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
“This milestone positions Red 6 as the first company in the world delivering real-time, in-flight synthetic air combat training directly into the cockpits of operational fighter jets,” said a spokesperson for Red 6.
The contract builds on Red 6’s integration of ATARS into the T-38 Talon. ATARS is already integrated into the MC-130 with the USAF and the BAE Systems Hawk T-2 with the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF).
“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,” said Daniel Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of Red 6. “ATARS is the only system capable of replicating the cognitive complexity fighter pilots face in real-world engagements — and now we’re delivering it in the cockpit of a frontline tactical jet. The F-16 is just the beginning.”
According to Red 6, ATARS allows pilots to “train against intelligent, maneuvering virtual adversaries in real-time during live flight”.
The system reportedly delivers “immersive, repeatable, and measurable training that blends the realism of live operations with the flexibility of simulation”.
“Built on a low-latency, network-agnostic architecture, ATARS delivers high-resolution, full-color synthetic entities without compromising performance or safety. The system supports next-generation collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) development, enables training in constrained airspace, and generates structured datasets to objectively assess pilot readiness,” added the company spokesperson.
Red 6 also holds active integration partnerships with Boeing, Aeralis, Palantir, SNC, and Northrop Grumman.
RELATED
Striking defense workers appeal to US Congress to help bridge divide with Boeing
The post US Air Force to integrate F-16s with augmented reality training system appeared first on AeroTime.
Software company Red 6 has won a contract with the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate its ATARS…
The post US Air Force to integrate F-16s with augmented reality training system appeared first on AeroTime.
