Airbus Tests Future of Air Training with Virtual Enemies in Germany
Airbus Defence and Space has tested its new virtual training approach, the Laboratory for Development of Systems (SDL), in Germany. The SDL integrates virtual allies and enemies into the deployment of air assets involved in the 'Timber Express' exercise.
The German Air Force's 'Timber Express' exercise has seen the deployment of Tornado and Eurofighter jets, but Airbus Defence and Space has been testing a new virtual training approach, the Laboratory for Development of Systems (SDL). This new approach integrates virtual allies and enemies into the deployment of air assets involved in the exercise.
According to René Birkholz, the business developer for Future Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, the SDL allows for the implementation of the Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) framework for testing and training. This framework aims to complement air platforms with human operators in simulators on the ground and computer-generated forces, fusing physical and virtual forces in training environments.
The SDL will allow for the testing and validation of the joint capabilities of current and future systems in virtual environments, reducing costs and complexities of deployment in real environments. "The SDL allows for the deployment of allies and adversaries in the airspace at a fraction of the cost," Birkholz explained. He also noted that the virtual environment allows military forces to test tactics, techniques, and procedures that they do not want to show in a real environment, with a focus on operational security.
The SDL approach is not limited to military training, but can also accompany the development of new weapon systems and ensure that their capabilities are prepared for the dynamic and complex challenges of current military operations. The SDL can simulate integrated and multi-domain air operations with multiple terrestrial, maritime, cyber, and space resources, examining the capabilities of Eurofighter jets or other new-generation platforms in specific scenarios and identifying effective configurations after automated combat simulations.
This information would allow battle managers and pilots to conduct simulations in physical stations and participate in missions against computer-generated threats. In the context of the Airbus statement, Birkholz highlights that "it is about creating a feedback loop throughout the development process, where we validate and adapt the capabilities of the platform constantly until it meets its function."
| **Exercise** | **Air Assets** | **Virtual Allies/Adversaries** | **Cost** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Timber Express | Tornado, Eurofighter | Virtual | Fraction of the cost |
| **SDL Features** | **Description** | | --- | --- | | Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) framework | Complements air platforms with human operators in simulators on the ground and computer-generated forces | | Virtual allies and adversaries | Integrated into the deployment of air assets involved in the exercise | | Operational security | Focus on not showing tactics, techniques, and procedures in a real environment | | Automated combat simulations | Examines the capabilities of Eurofighter jets or other new-generation platforms in specific scenarios | | Feedback loop | Validates and adapts the capabilities of the platform constantly until it meets its function |
