AFRL Demonstrates Live-Virtual-Constructive Concept

  • Published
  • By John Schutte
  • AFRL/RH
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  AFRL researchers demonstrated a real-time, real-world live-virtual-constructive (LVC) concept for improving the quality and efficiency of training delivered to joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC)--Air Force (AF) troops who operate within Army units to identify targets and coordinate close air support. The capability may eventually benefit fighter pilots and Air Support Operations Squadron personnel who execute the battle plans developed at Air and Space Operations Centers as well. Researchers demonstrated the training technology by linking two F-16s in flight over Arizona with two high-fidelity F-16 simulators and the new proof-of-concept Joint Terminal Attack Control Training and Rehearsal System, a 5-foot-diameter immersive simulation environment located at the Orange County Convention Center (Orlando, Florida).

This one-of-a-kind LVC system can close existing training gaps and usher in a new military training philosophy--one that emphasizes the unique training needs of the individual. The new capability will enable military training to be geared towards identifying competencies and strengthening an individual's known weaknesses.

AFRL worked in collaboration with Air Combat Command to create this mission-essential-competencies concept for providing the AF the ability to define and measure warfighter competencies in the live and virtual environments used for operations and training. The AF has adopted this methodology as a means of routinely tracking mission performance and training needs. The LVC concept seeks to apply this competency-based training methodology to live fighter cockpits so that researchers can define, measure, and analyze the competencies of pilots actively engaged in flying an aircraft.

AFRL is partnered with Cubic Defense Applications, a range instrumentation and architecture software systems developer, to provide the interface between aircraft and ground-based systems under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The team will combine aircraft data with simulator and classroom data for incorporation into an all-encompassing training database from which each warfighter will construct a training plan tailored to his or her individual strengths and weaknesses.

AFRL plans to collaborate with Boeing under another CRADA to continue development of the aircraft training system. The AFRL/Boeing team will also demonstrate proof-of-concept mission-performance data gathering for the AF, as well as provide higher-quality postaction data and LVC lessons learned.