Training Benefits of Interactive Air Combat Simulation

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the training benefits of distributed, interactive air combat simulation. The Multiship Research and Development (MULTIRAD) simulation facility located at Armstrong Laboratory's Aircrew Training Research Division in Mesa, Arizona was used to conduct this investigation. It permitted two F-15s to fly against a suite of manned and unmanned adversaries in a realistic combat environment. Simulation components represent independent subsystems operating as part of a secure distributed simulation network. This local area network was connected to an air weapons controller simulator located at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, using a dedicated T-1 telephone line. A week-long syllabus was designed consisting of nine sorties with four engagements per sortie. A building-block approach was taken so that scenarios increased in difficulty over the week. Sixty-tree mission-ready (MR) F-15 pilots participated in the research effort. Critical incident/event data and ratings of situation awareness (SA) were gathered using two trained observers. Using the ratings from the two trainer observers, performance was found to improve for identical engagements flown early and late in simulation for training and how it might best be employed. Overall, very positive opinions were expressed by the research participants regarding the potential value of multiship simulation for training SA skills. These findings, while not providing definitive evidence of transfer of training to the air, nonetheless, do suggest that multiship simulation may be an effective tool for training SA Skills for fighter operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA459622

Entities

People

  • Herbert H. Bell
  • Wayne L. Waag

Organizations

  • Armstrong Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Combat Simulations
  • Local Area Networks
  • Networks
  • Observers
  • Simulations
  • Simulators
  • Situational Awareness
  • Telephone Lines
  • Training
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs