Australian Air Force Conducts Virtual Exercise Connecting F/A-18, AEW&C & C-130 Transport Simulators

Diamond Thunder distributed mission training exercise that saw the Australian Air Force (RAAF) network various simulation assets across the country was supported by CAE as part of its inaugural Air Warfare Instructor Course.

The Diamond Thunder Exercise involved the networking of F/A-18 simulators at both RAAF Base Williamtown and Tindal with the E-7A Wedgetail simulator at Williamtown and C-130J simulator at RAAF Base Richmond.

The Air Warfare Centre's Joint Air Warfare Battle Laboratory at Williamtown served as the exercise command centre to manage and coordinate the overall virtual training environment.

CAE engineering staff at Richmond supported the integration and testing of the C-130J full-flight mission simulator (FFMS) onto the Australian Defence Training and Experimentation Network (DTEN).

CAE also provided an exercise planner to assist with creating and executing the virtual training and mission rehearsal scenarios, and had staff within the Australian Defence Simulation and Training Centre to assist with the provision of the networking infrastructure to support this distributed virtual training exercise.

During the Diamond Thunder exercise, each of the high-fidelity simulation devices was networked and flew simultaneously in the same virtual environment. As a joint and integrated force, the F/A-18 fighters, E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform, and C-130J tactical transports had to address threats such as air defence systems, ground radars and surface-to-air missiles.

"There's potential for LVC training to further advance and develop, and complement the existing training that we do," said Wing Commander Jason Baldock, 285 Squadron, RAAF.

"There are a number of applications for LVC, including pre-deployment and exercise training, which are of significant value in preparing aircrew for real-world operations." Baldock added.

"Integrated LVC training systems are becoming more critical as military forces such as the RAAF look to expand the use of virtual training to cost-effectively prepare for their missions," said Ian Bell, CAE's Vice President and General Manager, Asia-Pacific/Middle East.