Training Utility of Multiship Air Combat Simulation

The Air Force's Armstrong Laboratory recently developed a distributed interactive simulation system. The purpose of this system is to support training effectiveness research involving combat skills. Currently, this simulation system provides the laboratory with most of the air combat simulation capabilities found in more expensive full mission simulators. This paper describes the training needs that lead to the development of this system and summaries the results of two operational training utility evaluations. The first of these evaluations used engineering research simulators at McDonnell Aircraft while the second used the laboratory's local area, distributed simulation network. Participants in both evaluations were mission ready pilots and air weapons controllers. Results of both evaluations show that pilots and controllers perceive similar training benefits in each simulation environment.