10.12.2024
Super- and hyper-sonic missiles, stealthier fighter jets, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAV), advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) and Electronic Countermeasures (ECM)… the breadth, variety and speed of threats fighter jets now have to face are seemingly ever-increasing. Training, in such context, is not just critical, it is vital. Yet while some types of training exercises are meant as a show of force, others, aimed at being able to tackle certain threats and/or adversaries, should retain a certain level of confidentiality.
For Patria, this is critical, and it all begins with being able to integrate live, simulated and Computer-Generated Forces (CGF) training. It begins with Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training, a system designed to allow fighter pilots to log multiple hours of training in both live and virtual environments.
And it begins with being able to expand, shrink, diversify and complexify at will both the real world and threat training environment and, where necessary, away from prying eyes.
Training across physical and virtual worlds
The increasing breadth, variety and speed of threats in the battlefield today requires fighter pilots to be highly trained. It is not just a matter of logging in hundreds of flight hours to develop and hone manoeuvring and tactical skills. It is also a matter of training to be able to take in the considerable cognitive load now placed on them by the presence of a multitude of sensors and screens. Because as threats develop so do sensors and information, and fighter pilots must be able to process such information and make decisions in fast-paced, high pressure situations.
Yet training for such levels of complexity can be resource intense, both in terms of fight jets’ and trainers’ availability. That is why over the past decade Patria has been working closely with its customer, the Finnish Airforce (FINAF), to develop the LVC training system.
Originally designed in 2010 as a synthetic training environment on two screens, the LVC has evolved to become a dome-like, fully networked experience.
Patria has developed the Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training system with the Finnish Airforce (FINAF) to provide realistic training environments, integrating live, simulated, and Computer-Generated Forces (CGF) training.
Since 2019 it provides fighter pilots with the look and feel of a real jet cockpit during their training without, however, the associated considerable drain on resources and platform operational availability.
Just as importantly, LVC can also function as a augmented reality training experience. By integrating live training fighter jets in a virtual environment, it allows pilots to simultaneously train together both onboard jets and at base. Capable of also including CGF in the synthetic environment, LVC creates the opportunity to develop multiple, complex scenarios reflecting real theatres of operations’ challenges.
Patria’s datalink products, such as the CANDL, enable the integration of live jets with the synthetic LVC environment via dedicated ground stations. In other words, what happens in the LVC shows on jets’ screens and what happens in the air is reflected in the LVC.
The LVC system allows for augmented reality training, enabling pilots to train together both onboard jets and at base, while also hiding tactical developments from potential adversaries.
Now you see me, now you don’t
Training is important, but so is the necessity to keep tactical development and manoeuvres hidden from prying eyes, especially an adversary’s. Yet some Through Life Capability countries do not necessarily have a choice if they want to train within their own airspace. Geography can at times be very constraining.
The LVC training system allows customers to ‘hide’ into the synthetic environment. Away from the eyes and ears of a potential adversary, they can practice any number of scenarios, drills and manoeuvres.
And even if the training also includes live fighter jets – e.g., blue forces – what appears on their screen and how they evade and/or shoot virtual and CGF red forces remains within the synthetic environment.
Additionally, the LVC allows countries with limited available airspace – whether due to geographical constraints or commercial traffic – to train as far and as wide as they wish in the synthetic environment.
Multi-domain and -platform training
Complexity in a theatre of operations is not just about the amount of information one has to process in a very short period of time. In a world where multi-domain operations have come to dominate the warfighting narrative, being able to successfully work across armed services – and platforms – can present a challenge in and of itself.
Patria’s LVC training system has been developed to facilitate training also in those contexts. All types of platforms – vehicles, ships, fighter jets – can be networked into the synthetic environment in order to create a realistic scenario of multi-domain operations.
The system supports multi-domain operations, integrating various platforms like vehicles, ships, and UAVs, and facilitates joint training and after-action reviews across multiple locations.
Additionally, because LVC can be connected to Patria TADS, Tactical Debriefing System, for Joint forces, it allows armed services to review after action together, across multiple locations.
Finally, LVC has been designed to integrate UAVs. As such, it allows not only the training of UAV operators, but it also enables joint training across multiple platforms and sensors, thus enhancing Man-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) skills and operations.
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