The US Air Force has extended its network of mission training centres (MTC) by opening a new facility for Boeing F-15E crews at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in Suffolk, UK. This will be used by the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing to prepare its crews for real missions in any part of the world, says 48th Operating Group commander Col John Quintas.
At the heart of the MTC are two high fidelity dual-cockpit F-15E simulators with 360° visual systems. These can be also linked with two medium-fidelity F-15E combat simulators at the same unit to provide four-ship mission experience for pilots. The Lakenheath site also has the capability to link with other MTCs in the USA and around the world to generate total battlefield scenarios, and will be able to link with centres involving allied air forces.
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At present, existing MTCs can train crews for the F-15C, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing E-3 airborne warning and control system to battlefield mission readiness.
The instructor/operator workstation monitors and controls the tactical battlefield environment around the crews of the two F-15E simulators, as well as monitoring everything they do. The F-15E's weapons delivery capability is simulated, while the terrain database can enable training in any location. The instructor can also create battlefield threats to the crews, ranging from small arms fire to air-to-air attack by specific enemy aircraft and weapon types.
Col Quintas says the MTC will allow crews to go into highly specific combat environments, adding: "The pilots can make their mistakes on the ground so they are less likely to make them in the air. We can also mount high-risk engagements - like missiles and other air-to-air [threats] - that would not be possible for real, and we can operate in places where we could not train for real."
As well as heading the MTC installation project, Boeing produces the visual integrated display system, manned combat stations, and the "Big Tac Combat Environment Server".
Officially launched on 30 September, the 48th Operating Group's MTC has operated about 350 training missions without a hitch in trials since April, says Boeing.
Source: Flight International
