Simulators to Replace Lost Flying Hours

Current economy downturn and the recent US government shut down have resulted in budget cuts by the government, resulting in severe squeeze of funding for the armed forces to sustain its operations all over the world. The US Air Force for example, has to absorb the impact by reducing 10% of its operational fleet size thus resulting in the possibility of pilots’ skill-lost and to overcome this issue; they have beefed up its frequency of simulator training for pilots. The US Department of Defense is exploring the increased use of flight-simulation technology to cut back on fuel costs and minimise the wear and tear on its aircraft fleet.

Latest technology sees flight simulators as having higher fidelity, not only capable of replicating procedural training, but also for weapons employment. Latest flight simulators are often developed on the same software platform as the actual aircraft. Everything found in the simulator is supposed to match the real aircraft. While visual presentation has been a major limitation for flight simulators, the integration of newer hardware and software has enabled simulator pilots to identify different targets, different classes of armoured vehicle for example.

However, even the latest simulator does not move, and not capable to imitate certain factors with 100% accuracy. Simulators lack in the physiological effects on human body and therefore, pilots are unable to undergo certain aspects of training including g-loading and physical exhaustion due to long hours of flight. It is impossible to allow pilots to experience the sound, smell and fear of flying or even fear of death in a simulator.

Keeping Pilots Airborne

Though simulators are not able to duplicate certain aspects of flying, they are still very effective for tactical training. In a small unit, pilots are allowed to rehearse some maneuvers in tactical scenarios before flying in a real situation. One example is the use of night vision goggles and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCSs), which enables digital debriefing for pilots.

The system offers a three-dimensional display and a full reproduction of all four cockpits and their displays. The US Navy adapts this system with the requirement to link all their units from all over the world in a scheme called fleet synthetic training. The system adapted by the US Navy links not only aircraft, but also their warships such as the Ticonderoga-class and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The adaptation resulted in the introduction of simulated exercise call Virtual Flag.

In September last year, 125 participants from the US, UK, Canada and Australia worked together during the Coalition Virtual Flag 13-4 held through September 11 to September 19. The annual virtual exercise’s objective is to train US soldiers and allied partners to execute operations including finding, fixing, targeting, engaging and assessing on a geographically modified battlefield.

Coalition Virtual Flag is an exercise held annually, led by the 705th Combat Training Squadron. The unit, known as the Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC), provides the link to the Air Force that enables usage of virtual simulators to connect participants in a simulated conflict. With the use of simulators, the exercise has become one of the most financially effective efforts, omitting the necessity to move aircraft and manpower to a single location.