General Atomics Aeronautical Systems - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Situation

Unmanned aerial vehicles have become a vital component for the US military. Used for reconnaissance and other missions, they have been deployed to wartime environments and are also used for coastal and border surveillance. GA-ASI manufactures a range of UAVs that are sold to both domestic and foreign customers. Each system requires a significant amount of documentation, and each customer requires training for mechanics, electronic technicians, sensor operators, and pilots.

Print and On-Line Documentation

With so many subsystems and such critical operating requirements, documentation becomes a significant part of every UAV system. GA-ASI provides both print and on-line forms of these materials to their customers, and SkillBuilders has been a consistent source of support for that effort.

In addition to creating new text and updating existing removal, replacement and operating procedures, we have also helped GA-ASI develop a growing library of SGML-based documents to support system users. These documents are used in GA-ASI's Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs), which are fully compliant with the government's strict standards for electronic documentation.

Training Programs

GA-ASI UAV systems are used worldwide by both US and foreign governments and agencies. For each new system, a cadre of mechanics, electronic technicians, sensor operators, and pilots must be trained. We have designed workshops that help them learn and practice both removal and replacement and operating procedures, from fueling and starting the air vehicle to mission planning, flight, and sensor operation.

We have also developed computer based training to help pilots and sensor operators master the menu system that provides air vehicle in-flight status information.