American company Top Aces has unveiled a groundbreaking system that uses virtual aircraft to train military personnel. This new technology allows one real F-16 fighter to simulate an entire enemy squadron during training exercises.
In order to ensure combat readiness, pilots must regularly train in realistic air battle scenarios. Typically, some pilots act as friendly forces while others portray the enemy. In the US Air Force and other NATO countries, specialized “aggressor” squadrons, composed of experienced fighters from private companies, fulfill this role. Top Aces is the first private company to offer this service using F-16 fighters.
Previously, large-scale training exercises required multiple aircraft to be deployed, including pilots and aggressors, making it a complex and costly endeavor.
The innovative system, developed in collaboration with Episci, Coherent Technical Services Inc. (CTSI), and Seger Aviation LLC, merges real and virtual elements to create a comprehensive training environment. By integrating artificial intelligence-controlled virtual fighters, the F-16 pilot can now lead both their own aircraft and a group of virtual fighters playing the role of the enemy.
The virtual targets, known as “phantoms,” are displayed on radar screens and other training systems as realistic objectives, indistinguishable from real aircraft. To deceive sensors, virtual entities are incorporated into the secure Link-16 network used by NATO combat equipment to exchange information on targets’ positions, coordinates, and movements.
This technology is particularly beneficial for training crews operating the latest fifth-generation fighters. In modern combat scenarios, pilots often engage the enemy beyond visual range, relying solely on instrument readings. The presence of virtual targets adds complexity to the exercise, challenging pilots to detect and engage these simulated threats.
CTSI was responsible for the technical implementation of the project, developing software to control the virtual fighters through the F-16’s Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS) architecture. Using the standard Hotas interface, pilots can seamlessly command the virtual squadron using buttons on the control stick and throttle, executing maneuvers and tactics in real-time.
This cutting-edge technology is set to revolutionize military training, allowing for more cost-effective and versatile training scenarios involving multiple adversaries, which previously required a larger deployment of military resources.