The air combat of tomorrow may be fought in a virtual world, at least when it comes to training. In a recent exercise dubbed “DMON Argonne 23,” the U.S. Air Force successfully conducted a large-scale virtual training event, putting pilots of its most advanced fighter jets through their paces in a complex, multi-domain scenario.
Photo: Northrop Grumman
This four-day event, held at the Combat Air Force (CAF) Distributed Training Center at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, spanned 44 sites, 97 cockpits, and trained 196 personnel. Pilots from various locations, operating F-22, F-35, F-16, A-10, MQ-9, E-3G, RC-135, CRC, JTAC, and even the Navy’s EA-18G platform simulators, participated in realistic combat scenarios against simulated peer adversaries.
The key innovation lies in DMON’s ability to securely connect and seamlessly integrate disparate simulator platforms, creating a high-fidelity virtual environment for aircrews to train together. This not only allows for cost-effective training that eliminates the need for physical deployment of personnel and equipment, but also enables pilots to hone their skills in complex, multi-domain scenarios that closely resemble real-world combat situations.
“During this exercise, DMON connected fourth- and fifth-generation fighters from different bases to train as they would in live combat operations,” said Rebecca Torzone, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman. “DMON Argonne 23 successfully demonstrated how our immersive environments deliver on our commitment to prime warfighters for future Joint All-Domain Command and Control operations.”
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