Six Degrees of Simulation

What Six Degrees of Simulation does

Six Degrees of Simulation, Inc. (SIX) is a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Orlando, Florida, founded by U.S. Navy veteran John N. Russell. The company designs, develops, modifies, and supports flight and weapon system training devices for the U.S. Department of Defense, with primary task order flow through the SeaPort Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) prime contract awarded in December 2018 covering engineering support and program management services to NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAVSUP, and SPAWAR. Service offerings include Contractor Logistics Services (CLS), training system requirements analysis, hardware and software design and development, systems integration, device relocation, field services, and modification services (e.g., trainer re-host, motion systems, avionics upgrades, reverse engineering of legacy systems).

The company's product portfolio is built on Lockheed Martin Professional Prepar3D as the core simulation engine and comprises two hardware simulator platforms — SIXPAC, a $9,800 desktop flight simulator configured for Cessna 172 and Mooney Bravo aircraft, and Mentor, a $45,000 jet simulator supporting F-16C, F-22A, F-35A/C, T-6 Texan II, and T-45 platforms — plus three Prepar3D virtual instrument add-ons sold as perpetual licenses: SIXTCAS ($49.95), SIXADS ($49.95), and SIXTAWS ($99.95). The simulators integrate with FSUIPC for hardware control. SIXPAC is currently pursuing FAA Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) certification.

The company operates a hybrid revenue model combining government professional services contracting (SeaPort-NxG and legacy SeaPort-e N00178-14-D-7494) with direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales of simulators and software add-ons via its own storefront. Pricing is one-time/perpetual across all hardware and software products, with 90-day warranties on simulator hardware and a 7-week ship window for SIXPAC. The company markets primarily through its company website with no significant social media or paid advertising footprint.

Name

Six Degrees of Simulation

Legal name

Six Degrees of Simulation, Inc.

Website

https://sixdofsim.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Six Degrees of Simulation is an SDVOSB defense contractor and Prepar3D-based flight simulator developer that provides engineering, training device support, and simulation services to the U.S. Navy/DoD via SeaPort-NxG, while also selling desktop and jet simulators plus virtual instruments to general aviation consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Simulation Hardware

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC), Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)

Keywords

• Flight simulation hardware
• Virtual cockpit instruments
• Military training devices
• Desktop flight simulators
• Engineering simulation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Simulation Services: Professional services including Contractor Logistics Services (CLS), training system requirements analysis, hardware and software design and development, systems integration, and device relocation services for flight and weapon system training devices.
2. Software Add-ons: Sale of virtual instrument software add-ons for Prepar3D including SIXTCAS ($49.95), SIXADS ($49.95), and SIXTAWS ($99.95) as one-time perpetual licenses.
3. SIXPAC Desktop Simulator: Sale of complete desktop flight simulator hardware at $9,800 including aluminum enclosure, computer, touchscreen monitor, controls, and Prepar3D license. Optional desk ($350) and Force Feedback Yoke ($2,500).
4. Mentor Jet Simulator: Sale of jet flight simulator base configuration at $45,000 including ejection seat, seat shaker, HOTAS Warthog, multiple monitors, and Prepar3D license.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Six Degrees of Simulation sells physical flight simulator hardware (SIXPAC desktop simulator at $9,800 and Mentor jet simulator at $45,000) built on Lockheed Martin Prepar3D, proprietary virtual instrument software add-ons (SIXTCAS, SIXADS, SIXTAWS) for Prepar3D, and provides engineering, modification, and field services for flight and weapon system training devices to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Product overview

Six Degrees of Simulation is a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business providing flight simulation products and engineering services. The product portfolio consists of two primary simulator platforms: SIXPAC (a desktop flight simulator at $9,800) and Mentor (a jet flight simulator at $45,000), both built on Lockheed Martin Prepar3D. These are complemented by three virtual instrument add-ons for Prepar3D: SIXTCAS ($49.95) for traffic collision avoidance, SIXADS ($49.95) for ADS-B surveillance, and SIXTAWS ($99.95) for terrain awareness. The company also provides professional services including field services, modifications, and engineering services supporting military training systems for DoD customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SIXPAC Desktop Flight Simulator Self-contained desktop flight simulator for general aviation consumers and training use. Includes an aluminum enclosure with I5 processor, 16GB memory, 27-inch LCD touchscreen, rotary knobs, throttle/prop/mixture controls, simulated GPS 530, rudder pedals, and Prepar3D license. Configured for Cessna 172 and Mooney Bravo aircraft. Priced at $9,800 with optional desk ($350) and Force Feedback Yoke ($2,500). SIXPAC is in the process of FAA BATD certification.
• Mentor Jet Flight Simulator Jet flight simulator for basic flight familiarization, cockpit procedure training, hypoxia training, and deployable training scenarios. Supports F-16C, F-22A, F-35A/C, T-6 Texan II, and T-45 aircraft simulations. Includes simulated ejection seat, seat shaker, Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog joystick, three 27-inch monitors plus 24-inch touchscreen, voice-activated aviation intercom, and Prepar3D license. Priced at $45,000 with 90-day warranty.
• SIXTCAS Virtual Instrument Virtual instrument replica of a Traffic Collision and Avoidance System (TCAS) for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D. Tracks up to 35 aircraft simultaneously and generates aural and visual traffic advisories, with Look Up/Look Down relative altitude display modes (Above Mode, Below Mode, Normal Mode). Requires FSUIPC. One-time perpetual license priced at $49.95.
• SIXADS Virtual Instrument Virtual Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) instrument for Prepar3D. Features Mode C and Mode S transponder operations, ADS-B Out capability, flight timer, stopwatch, altitude monitor, and Flight ID reporting. Free-floating, resizable virtual instrument. One-time perpetual license priced at $49.95.
• SIXTAWS Virtual Instrument Virtual Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) instrument for Prepar3D. Provides full-time terrain display, runway and waypoint overlay, and RMI display capabilities. Free-floating virtual instrument. One-time perpetual license priced at $99.95.
• Field Services On-site technician and engineer support for training system operations, maintenance and repair including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, supply support services, and system expansion to prevent obsolescence. Targeted at Department of Defense flight and weapon system training device operators.
• Modification Services Training device modifications including trainer re-host, real-time I/O system updates, control loading system, digital communication system, motion system, avionics upgrades, tactical environment network upgrades, reverse engineering of legacy systems, and custom circuit board design. Targeted at military training system operators.
• Engineering Services Specialized engineering services for military training systems including systems engineering, software and hardware engineering, logistics support, configuration management, technical publications, subject matter expertise, database design and management, feasibility studies, and reverse engineering. Targeted at Department of Defense customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• SeaPort-NxG prime contract enables access to approximately $5,000,000,000 of services per year under multiple award contract

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Frasca International: Frasca builds flight simulation devices and training equipment primarily for general aviation, business aviation, and military customers, including FAA-qualified simulators. Closely comparable to SIX in producing flight training devices that bridge consumer/general-aviation and military markets.
• Quantum3D: Quantum3D provides visual/sensor simulation hardware and software for military training and embedded applications, including image generators and training content. Comparable to SIX in delivering simulation hardware and content for military flight training environments.
• SimPhonics: SimPhonics develops simulation software and tools used in military and commercial flight simulators, including audio and communications systems. Comparable to SIX as a niche software developer building add-ons and tooling around Prepar3D-based and other DoD flight simulation platforms.
• SimIS Inc. SimIS is a small SDVOSB providing modeling, simulation, and training solutions to the U.S. Navy and DoD, including SeaPort-NxG task orders. Closely comparable to SIX in being a veteran-owned small business leveraging set-aside contracts for DoD simulation and engineering services.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: CAE is the global leader in civil and military flight simulation and training, producing full-mission simulators and integrated training services for the U.S. Navy and commercial operators. Directly comparable to SIX in military training-device services and competes for SeaPort-NxG task orders.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International designs and operates full-flight simulators and pilot training programs for commercial, business, and military aviation. Comparable to SIX in flight simulation product engineering and pilot training services, especially through training-device lifecycle and modifications work.
• TRU Simulation + Training (Textron): TRU Simulation manufactures full-flight simulators and training devices for military and commercial markets, including fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms. Comparable to SIX in flight simulator hardware and DoD simulation engineering services, though at a much larger scale.
• L3Harris Technologies (Link Training & Simulation): L3Harris delivers military flight simulators, training devices, and lifecycle support across U.S. DoD programs. Comparable to SIX in providing engineering, modifications, and field services on flight/weapon system training devices for Navy and joint services customers.

Others

• Thrustmaster (Guillemot Corporation): Thrustmaster manufactures HOTAS joysticks (including the Warthog used in Mentor's base configuration), rudder pedals and yokes for flight and racing simulation. Comparable as an enabling hardware supplier to the home/military flight simulation ecosystem in which SIX operates.
• Lockheed Martin (Prepar3D): Lockheed Martin Prepar3D is the underlying visual simulation platform on which all SIX products are built. As the platform owner/enabler, Lockheed Martin is an ecosystem partner that determines the technical roadmap on which SIX's simulators and virtual instruments depend.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/six-degrees-of-simulation-inc.

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Six Degrees of Simulation