SAN DIEGO, CA – xwave, an Aliant Company (TSX: AIT), today announced it has delivered its Tactical Airborne Crew Electronic Warfare Trainer (TACET) to the Canadian Air Force. TACET is a software solution that enables realistic training of Forces personnel in a safe, cost-effective environment.

Operational aircraft such as transports, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft lack the means to train aircrews in flight in electronic warfare and self-protection. TACET meets this need: it provides high-fidelity airborne simulation of Radar Warning Receivers (RWRs) and Missile Approach Warning Systems (MAWS); examples are, respectively, the ALR-56 and AAR-47. TACET is a rangeless system that supports both instructor-led and automatically-generated scenarios, delivering highly realistic visual and audio stimuli that allows air crews to effectively train in the handling of threats. A convenient laptop- and GPS-based system, TACET eliminates the need and expense of deploying aircraft to specialized electronic warfare ranges.

“Using a simple laptop, an instructor can realistically create—and safely control—a complete airborne scenario,” said Don McClure, General Manager, Business Development, Ottawa, xwave. “This capability has a significant impact on the quality and safety of training that air force personnel receive. xwave is pleased to be able to offer this level of simulation support, thereby helping the Canadian Air Force fulfill its mandate in a feasible, cost-efficient manner.”

With the laptop used in the cockpit during flight, instructors generate scenarios that can replace or drive actual aircraft displays. Commands are issued facilitating rapid threat selection and modification. Simulated RWR and MAWS visual and audio cues are provided, with the movement of simulated threats corresponding with actual aircraft movement relative to the threat’s position. TACET audio is identical to actual RWR and MAWS audio, and is provided via a connection to the aircraft inter-communication system (ICS). The solution also enables full scenario analysis, and records scenarios and aircraft movements for mission replay and debriefing purposes.

TACET will be showcased at the Association of Old Crow’s (AOC) conference in San Diego, California, October 17 – 20, 2004.

For more than 30 years, xwave has been a leading defence and aerospace contractor, specializing in land, naval, aerospace, air traffic management and information applications. Highly specialized, real-time and performance-critical software and systems solutions are hallmarks of xwave’s engineering expertise. Seasoned software and systems developers offer exceptional skills in key technologies: specialized graphical user interface design; object-oriented programming and analysis; and prototyping and iterative technologies. All of these make xwave a logical choice for providing mission-critical software and systems.

About xwave
xwave, an Aliant Company, is a full-service business-solutions provider that serves clients through three service lines: systems integration and software engineering, infrastructure services, and product fulfillment. These areas offer clients a broad delivery capability: xwave plans, designs, builds and operates IT solutions that span both corporate and operational systems and fulfill all infrastructure needs. With more than $360 million in revenues and 1,900 people, xwave is one of the largest IT-services companies in Canada, with locations in St. John’s, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Ottawa, Toronto, New England and Ireland. More information can be found at www.xwave.com

For further information, contact:
Karen.Ewing@xwave.com
877-332-4605