Airforce F22 Trains for Combat with Navy F35C

By Olawale Abaire, WarriorMaven Fellow

Starting in 2024, Navy and Air Force fighter pilots will engage in joint training at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)’s Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) in Patuxent River, Maryland, according to a recent news on the America Navy website. This initiative aims to enhance inter-service collaboration and combat readiness by integrating various fifth-generation fighter simulators within a unified training framework.

NAWCAD has augmented its simulation capabilities by incorporating four Air Force F-22 Raptor cockpits alongside its existing division of eight F-35 Lightning II cockpits. This strategic addition underscores the Department of Defense’s (DoD) commitment to fostering a joint operational capability across all military domains. As Rear Adm. John Dougherty IV, Commander of NAWCAD, emphasized, “When America is engaged in conflict, the DoD will bring joint capability to bear from every service across all domains.”

The JSE features state-of-the-art technology, including domed simulators equipped with 4K projectors and authentic aircraft software. This setup allows pilots to experience near-exact virtual wartime scenarios, thereby maximizing their training efficacy. According to Blaine Summers, NAWCAD JSE Director, “The JSE is where fifth-gen fighters train to hone their tactics and fight like their lives depend on it.”

Simulation Capabilities and Training Efficacy

The JSE offers a hyper-realistic digital range, enabling tactical groups to conduct more sorties in a week than they would typically accomplish in a year on traditional open-air ranges. This intensive training regimen is pivotal in honing combat tactics and operational readiness. The digital environment mitigates the safety limitations inherent in open-air ranges, allowing pilots to train under conditions that closely mimic real-world combat scenarios.

Developed through a collaboration between Navy engineers and industry partners, the JSE leverages actual DoD aircraft hardware and software, creating an adaptable and scalable training platform. This facility includes mission debriefing rooms where pilots receive critical feedback on their performance, facilitating a continuous learning cycle.