Training for War in the Virtual Environment The Eurofighter Typhoon Deployment Solution

Sqn Ldr Andrew Eckersley Sqn Ldr Paul Evans Mr David Hill

Eurofighter Tactics and Course Design Team Air Warfare Centre Royal Air Force Waddington LINCOLN LN5 9NB

ABSTRACT: It is well established that synthetic training in the Royal Air Force is a valuable and cost-effective solution for increasing the effectiveness of pilot training. However, the training facility is usually static; this means those personnel on deployed operations often go without synthetic training, often to the detriment of specific important skills. Since the end of the Cold War, the Royal Air Force has found that the majority of operations are concerned with peacekeeping operations around the globe. This has exacerbated the challenge of minimising skills fade amongst operational aircrew, and has, in turn, heightened the debate concerning the desirability, utility and effectiveness of deployed synthetic training devices. In preparation for the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon, the Royal Air Force has therefore decided to buy 4 Deployed Flight Simulator devices to support its in-theatre aircrew Continuation Training requirement. The paper will outline the specification of the planned Eurofighter Typhoon deployed synthetic training devices and their envisaged uses. Issues such as the requirement for Wide Area Network connectivity, minimal power and space usage and optimum performance of the devices will also be explored.

1. Introduction This paper assesses some of the problems facing modern airforces in achieving realistic training in both peace and war; it outlines some of the problems, and assesses some of the solutions. Finally it lists aspirations for future synthetic systems which may lead the way towards achieving the ultimate goal of 100% realistic training in a synthetic environment.

2 Terminology Firstly, it is important to understand some of the terminology that the Royal Air Force uses in flying operations related to the synthetic environment.

2.1 Mission Evaluation Mission Evaluation is defined as the determination of the optimum tactical solution for a given scenario and threat environment. It is an iterative process conducted against a specific threat scenario. Mission Evaluation must employ Hardware-in-the-Loop to accurately assess aircraft system responses and thus ensure that solutions derived are valid.

2.2 Mission Rehearsal Mission Rehearsal is defined as the repetition of the tactical solution that has been evolved through Mission Evaluation in the endeavour to gain familiarity and maximise the probability of mission success; it is conducted by multiple Man-in-the-Loop participants to practice as an element or formation. 2.3 Mission Practise Mission Practise is the same as Mission Rehearsal, but requires individual practise of fragments of a Mission Evaluation derived profile that are not reliant upon other Man-in-the-Loop participants.

2.4 Mission Training Mission Training is the generic practises and mission simulation, with a non-specific scenario, to develop skills and optimise combat performance; it may or may not involve computer generated forces and/or other Man-in-the-Loop participants.

2.5 ASTA It is the Royal Air Force’s desire to perform all these tasks, to varying degrees, in Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA). Due to the nature of modern conflict there is a desire to conduct some of these tasks, particularly mission evaluation and mission rehearsal, in the theatre of conflict.

3. Training Requirement 3.1 Utilisation Squadron routine training comprises of continuation training involving large formations, collective training, major exercises and mission practice. Synthetic training can be utilised to replace and enhance live training. It replaces training that cannot be carried out due to real world constraints, for instance, emergency procedure training and mission practice. It enhances and supplements flying training to make the delivery of training both more effective and more cost effective. 3.2 Limitations 4. The Eurofighter Typhoon Whilst synthetic training can enable better benefit to be gained from live training, it cannot fully replicate its This paper concentrates on the requirements for demands. Even with very high fidelity visual systems Eurofighter Typhoon synthetic training, but the read- th providing significant immersion, at present, synthetic across could apply equally to many of the modern 4 th environments cannot produce the level of danger and 5 generation fighters, either currently in service or encountered in the real world and the fear felt by the on the drawing board. protagonists. Inevitably a participant of a simulation is more likely to fly closer to the limits and perhaps 4.1 Sensors degrade basic airmanship, in the comforting knowledge The Eurofighter Typhoon is the aircraft the Royal Air that a mistake can be discussed in the debrief room. Force has chosen to replace is fleet of Tornado F3’s and st The real time acceleration forces (Gz) experienced by Jaguar aircraft in the 21 century. It is a European built aircrew and the ‘feel’ of an aircraft in flight have as yet agile, swing/multi role combat aircraft that is at the to be accurately simulated on the ground. Although it is cutting edge of technology. Eurofighter Typhoon is acknowledged that approximately 90% of spatial fitted with a number of sophisticated on-board sensors orientation can be gained through the visual system, including: a modern multi-mode radar (equally capable replication of the “seat of the pants” remaining 10% in the air-to-air and air-to ground role), an infra-red provides a significant challenge to the ASTA forward looking and search and track sensor, a data- manufacturers. linked Multi-Function Information Distribution System (MIDS), a Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) and a 3.3 Providing Realism helmet mounted display and sighting system. The In times of conflict, one of the problems facing the cockpit has been designed with a ‘low workload’ modern combat pilot is the increasing need for effective mentality, utilising multi-functional glass-screen and precise weapons delivery on the first pass. displays, hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) Collateral damage is becoming increasingly politically functionality and active voice commands (VTAS). It is unacceptable, as proved in the recent conflicts in the capable of deploying numerous different types of air-to- Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo. Allied losses are always air and air-to-ground ordnance. undesirable, but with the high penalties involved with losing high value limited assets such as fighter aircraft 4.2 Capabilities and pilots, the need to reduce risk to the fighter platform The Eurofighter Typhoon is designed as a single-seat is ever increasing. One possible way to reduce the risks fighter aircraft, and as such relies on simplicity of to aircrew may be through the process of realistic operation to achieve the greatest operational capability. mission evaluation through accurate environment Its design principle is one of sensor fusion, where the modelling of both ground (terrain, built-up areas, pilot is presented a composite picture of the world woods, pylons) and threats (Surface to Air Missiles, around his aircraft as sensed by both on-board and off- Man Portable Air Defence systems, air-to-air weapons board sensors. This fused picture must be unambiguous, systems etc.). In order to achieve mission evaluation clear and most importantly accurate if the weapons and mission rehearsal the latest up-to-date information systems are to be utilised to their greatest capabilities. from a Defence Electronic Warfare Database must be Track correlation from two onboard sensors can be included in the scenario model, along with intelligent easily achieved with relatively simple algorithms threat simulation (e.g. will the SA-6 fire at every defining various gates around each track. The ‘sensor opportunity, and will it function realistically when it is fusion’ problem becomes significantly more complex launched!). This would require accurate simulation of when any number of both on and off-board sensors man-in-the-loop, including all unpredictability that is could contribute to the overall fused picture. Add to involved when including the human element. this equation the problems posed by some sensors not necessarily providing track information to the fusion 3.4 Simulation V’s Stimulation process (e.g. DASS), and it is clear that the potential Modern combat aircraft are fitted with a multitude of exists for in cockpit confusion of a magnitude complex and intelligent sensors, most of which will previously unknown to any fighter pilot! have to be simulated or stimulated in the synthetic environment. It is important to understand the 4.3 Real world Training Limitations difference between simulation and stimulation before a Training for war in the real world, using modern and full realisation of the scale of the problem that synthetic future fighter aircraft is becoming increasingly more modelling of these sensors poses. Sensor simulation is difficult with the constraints imposed by modern day the process of building an electronic representation of attitudes toward the military machine. Political the sensor performance and behaviour without the use influences, the high financial costs, the impact on the of the sensor hardware. Sensor stimulation requires the environment from noise, pollution and the problems sensor hardware to be incorporated within the synthetic associated with expending live munitions in a benign training aid. This would be either artificially stimulated environment can only increase with the passage of time. by off-board emulators, or stimulated by real hardware The problems outlined above limit the peacetime equipment. opportunities to conduct realistic training. Allied to this are the problems associated with the dynamic performance of the aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon is optimised to operate at high altitudes and at supersonic aircrew would normally complete a minimum of 8 speeds; in peacetime this is in direct conflict with the hours synthetic training (probably considerably more airspace needs of civilian air transport. Studies have for Eurofighter Typhoon pilots), and would be regularly identified that a typical air-to-air training sortie in practised for all disciplines of the aircraft’s capabilities Eurofighter Typhoon may need dedicated airspace in and emergency procedures. Air defence squadrons are the region of 120nm x 100nm from the surface to currently employed on peacekeeping missions, where 55,000ft (a volume of almost 120,000nm³). In the integrity of a no fly zone is under constant peacetime, due to Air Traffic Control constraints, it will surveillance by combat air patrol, ostensibly a simple be very challenging to gain access to an appropriate and straightforward mission. At present there is no amount of airspace in which it will be possible to capability for synthetic training and practically no replicate a representative threat environment. It is also capability for routine training even at a basic level. difficult to simulate ground threats in the real world, Obviously the provision of synthetic training devices in electronic weapons ranges are few and far between, are the deployed theatre, capable of fulfilling some or all of expensive to run and even more difficult to maintain as these continuation-training tasks, would be hugely up-to-date and credible training facilities in the fast beneficial toward the ability to maintain combat-ready moving world of surface to air arms. UK air-to-ground status in all disciplines. weapon ranges are currently at a premium; however, in the near future they may prove to be too small to live- test some of the more capable weapon systems. Access 6. Royal Air Force Specifics to representative threat systems cannot be guaranteed. 6.1 ASTA Requirement In addition, the fiscal cost of live training for modern The Royal Air Force has identified the need to systems such as Paveway 3, Stormshadow, Brimstone conduct a significant proportion of its Eurofighter and Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles will limit Typhoon training and mission evaluation/mission the ability to conduct the full training task. rehearsal in the synthetic environment, and has put forward to industry it’s ASTA requirements and 5. Eurofighter Typhoon Flying specifications to fulfil this role. With 3 Royal Air Force stations identified as future Eurofighter bases, the Training intention is to equip each base with a number of 5.1 Operational Conversion Training ASTA’s. Each ASTA device will be locally networked It can be seen that the amount of information it will with the similar devices on station, as well as wide area be necessary to impart to a Eurofighter Typhoon pilot is networked with the devices at the other Royal Air Force vast. To facilitate this, a building block approach will stations. This could allow the possibility to fly multi be used to ensure that pilots have the basic skills in element missions on mission evaluation and mission place to cope in an operational scenario. This training rehearsal, with Men-in-the-Loop, at a fraction of the continuum will span from the introduction to the risk and cost of flying the real mission, whilst at the aircraft, gaining familiarity with its systems and same time accurately assessing the viability and learning to utilise Eurofighter Typhoon in a tactical practicality of both tactics and weapons effects. environment, to carrying out multi-ship composite training as an element of a big picture scenario. Typical 6.2 Deployable Devices training tasks would include the Eurofighter Due to the nature of many of the recent conflicts that Operational Conversion Unit Course, from the Royal Air Force has been involved in over the past groundschool training, basic conversion training, basic few years, it has identified the need for deployable air-to-air training, basic air-to-ground training through ASTA devices. These could allow aircrew in a deployed to bigger picture multi-element and multi-discipline combat theatre, the capability to plan and rehearse a tactical flying. Squadrons will need to perform work-up mission in a synthetic device and make any changes, training to achieve Combat Ready status, which will adjustments or refinements to the plan, without risk, involve exposure to all aspects of the Eurofighter prior to embarking on the real mission. It would also squadron’s mission and extensive use of 4-ship allow the correct personnel to complete the evaluation formations against multiple threats. and rehearsal (e.g. mission commander, risk assessors and theatre commanders). 5.2 Continuation Training Historically, one of the problems of conducting 6.3 Stated Specification prolonged campaigns away from the home station has At present the requirement is for a robust Deployable been the lack of aircrew continuation training possible Cockpit Trainer (DCT), capable of withstanding during deployed operations. The cost of sustaining disassembly, packing, transportation and reassemble on deployed operations in both financial terms, allied with a regular basis. No special lifting apparatus shall be the lack of physical assets with which to train, has often required for the disassembly and packing. The entire led to a less than desirable situation where aircrew evolution between disassembly to reassembling and proficiency has reduced in many of the basic disciplines making ready for training shall be achieved within one of military aviation. To illustrate this point, the duration week. Obviously the problems of power source (size of of a squadron deployment could be anything up to and unit, multi-voltage, phase etc.), air conditioning and beyond 4 months. During this period at home station, security would have to be addressed, however, it is clear that such a device could be capable of providing many to the pilot in a clear, unambiguous and accurate format. of the requirements for a deployed synthetic training To effectively simulate the Eurofighter Typhoon’s device. capabilities it is essential that accurate simulation and/or stimulation of sensors and the fusion process is 6.4 Future Desirable Enhancements implemented into any ASTA device. To fully achieve the aims of mission evaluation and The limitations imposed on routine training, when rehearsal, a high integrity visual system would be conducting out-of-area operations, is increasing the required (as close to eye limiting resolution as possible), drive for deployable synthetic training devices. If the along with a fully programmable operational- capability of the ASTA were sufficiently high, it would environment database. The DCT would ideally be be possible to conduct realistic mission evaluation and capable of both local and wide area networking to rehearsal, by the appropriate personnel, in the deployed home-station synthetic training devices to further operational theatre. Local and wide area networking of enhance the training capabilities. The ultimate goal these devices would further increase their utility and must be to plan and fly a mission in a synthetic training effective training potential. device, utilising realistic threat libraries and flying over truly representative terrain and target acquisition, prior to flying the real mission. Accurate simulation of 8. About the Author sensor fusion allied to a near real time ‘real-world’ Squadron Leader Andrew Eckersley joined the Royal electronic warfare database is essential for accurate Air Force in 1981. After completing flying training he mission evaluation and rehearsal. was posted to Scotland to fly the air-defence version of the McDonnell Douglas Phantom II. In 1989 he was 7. Conclusion posted to a Royal Air Force Tactical Weapons Unit, where he was a Qualified Tactics and Weapons Training for war in the real world is becoming Instructor flying the British Aerospace Hawk, prior to increasingly more difficult with the constraints imposed an overseas posting to California in 1993. Flying F/A- by modern day attitudes toward the military machine; 18 Hornets on Exchange Officer duties for the United the high financial burden, the impact on the States Marine Corps he gained his first experiences of environment from noise, pollution and the problems ‘Mud-Moving’. On his return to UK in 1996 he associated with expending live munitions in a benign converted to the Tornado F3 and took up the post of environment. In order to train with the greatest effect Weapons Flight Commander on one of the Royal Air whilst minimising these impacts, and without the Force’s front-line fighter squadrons based in North inherent risks involved with flying in a hostile Yorkshire. The summer of 1998 saw his first ground environment, synthetic training is going to play an posting, where within the organisation of the Air increasing role in the training-for-war of future fast jet Warfare Centre he joined the Eurofighter Tactics and pilots. Course Design Team. He is currently involved in a The Eurofighter Typhoon is optimised for the broad spectrum of activities related to the introduction delivery of precision weapons in both the air-to-air and to Royal Air Force Service of the Eurofighter Typhoon, air-to-ground roles, and as such has an increased including sensor capabilities, airspace requirements, training burden for pilot competency and currency with Operational Test and Evaluation tasks and the such a varied arsenal of smart weapons. The aircraft is production of the Eurofighter Tactics Manual, to unique in its capability to sensor-fuse both on and off- mention but a few. board sensor information, and display this information