First simulated composite air training operation across the Atlantic

Citation

(2002), "First simulated composite air training operation across the Atlantic", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 74 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2002.12774bab.017

First simulated composite air training operation across the Atlantic

Keywords: Aircraft, Training, Simulation

Sponsored by UK's MOD under its Applied Research Programme, QinetiQ reports that it recently completed the world's first transatlantic simulated composite air operation (COMAO) training exercise. Lead by QinetiQ, formerly the bulk of DERA, both front line RAF aircrew and US coalition air assets, from the Warfighter Training Research Division of the U S Air Force Research Laboratory, operated successfully across a transatlantic link.

In the trial, front-line RAF aircrew and pilots from the USAF Research Laboratory flew missions as a "proof-of-concept" for collective simulated training. Using QinetiQ's networked simulation technology, the front- line aircrews participated in a highly complex and dynamic synthetic exercise. An advanced exercise management system allowed experts from the RAF's Air Warfare Centre to direct and co-ordinate the whole exercise.

QinetiQ's networked simulators and an integrated threat environment (Computer Generated Forces) system enabled aircrew to plan, fly and communicate as part of a 60 aircraft coalition force. Aircrew in 14 piloted simulators flew missions in a convincing operational scenario designed by the RAF, pitting their skills against both air and ground-based threats. A US manned F16C 4-ship formation flying in an air defence and air-to-ground swing role participated fully and in real-time in the synthetic COMAO, using a long haul wide area network (WAN) link to the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Mesa, Arizona, in the US.