Expansion of simulation and test expertise with concrete exercises such as Virtual Elite - VIRTEL

Le Bourget/Ottobrunn. A Eurofighter (EF 2000) takes off on a deployment flight from the fighter squadron 74 airfield at the town of Neuburg an der Donau. The deployment profile requires air-to-air refuelling with a KC-10 NATO tanker within a restricted operation zone. The Eurofighter is detected by the radar of the Tactical Air Command and Control Centre at Meßstetten. The latter immediately relays the air threat to the nearby PATRIOT squadron, which in turn initiates interception of the threat. By effectively using the “Chaff” decoy as well as risky three-dimensional flight manoeuvres, the pilot of the Eurofighter can avoid firing. He only succeeds in doing this thanks to support from the ground: a frigate (F 124) guides him via the airborne radar. The pilot can also use information from an active LINK-16 network. However, the F 124 is already radioing news of a different threat: a STINGER missile has been aimed at the aircraft. The pilot now only has to fire infrared flares as an electronic decoy which will lead the STINGER missile away from his aircraft.

The above is a scenario currently being used during the state-of-the-art ELITE 2005 (Electronic Warfare Live Training Exercise) exercise at the Heuberg military training area. More than 18 nations undergo training exercises at the Heuberg location, using upwards of 90 aircraft (in excess of 540 aircraft movements) as well as ground-based air defence and command and control systems. As in previous years, IABG has supported the German Air Force on site with its network compatible test and experimental environment.

For ELITE 2005, simulators and a network of those weapons and communications systems involved are used for electronic warfare training and the twin exercises of air raids and air defence. With Virtual ELITE (VIRTEL), this is the first time that a simulation has been developed in which an air-based weapons system is used against a ground-based weapons system and the process is interactively operated and controlled. Certain targets have been virtually integrated into the real world as extremely detailed computer generated forces. All of the aerial views, targets and landscape depicted on the screen are virtual, i.e. computer generated. They can be programmed in as desired based on map material (environments and buildings) or satellite images / aerial photographs.

Together with IABG, the Air Force Command has created a network into which as many different, real weapons systems, simulators and communication systems as desired may be integrated. One key feature here is the connection potential. If this is implemented, various different weapons systems, sections of the armed forces and even nations can be connected comprehensively (both joint and combined) with this network, which has been developed in accordance with international standards.

The realistic images and impressions mean, firstly, that less risk to people and material is involved. Secondly, they facilitate detailed analysis of the procedures used at the training stage. Even if the individual simulators, stimulators and real systems are operated at different locations, the participants can nonetheless practice joint missions in a real tactical and operational environment. It does not matter whether the exercise involves real or virtual aircraft, ships, air defence or communication systems.

Some of the networked simulators are so developed that the real weapons systems can no longer differentiate between simulated threats and real direct threats. In addition to threats, more difficult approach manoeuvres can be practised, such as air refuelling, renegade procedures or cooperation with unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). This has given a new dimension to the “Train as you fight, fly as you’re trained” concept.