The US Navy has achieved a key milestone in naval aviation training with the deployment of an innovative system aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). This new capability, dubbed Simulators at Sea, represents a major advancement in how carrier-based aviators prepare for missions while deployed.
In a press release issued on August 20, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) announced that Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) aviators have been utilizing these advanced simulators daily since their installation in July 2024.
This development is set to revolutionize joint mission training by allowing aviators to practice complex scenarios together while at sea—an unprecedented capability in naval training.
The Simulators at Sea system features interconnected desktop trainers that enable aviators to rehearse missions and tactical operations in a virtual environment.
Aviators from CVW-9, which operates an array of aircraft, including F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and E-2D Hawkeyes, are the first to experience this enhanced training environment.
The system allows them to train together in a simulated joint fighting force, preparing them for a range of naval missions, including complex wartime scenarios.
Rear Adm. John Dougherty IV, NAWCAD Commander, emphasized the impact of the new system: “Simulators at Sea brings American aviators a level of readiness our carrier air wing has never experienced while deployed.”
Dougherty IV added, “This training is a game-changing advantage that keeps our forces the most dominant in the skies.”
The service pointed out that the development of Simulators at Sea for the USS Abraham Lincoln was completed in under 12 months, incorporating lessons learned from NAWCAD’s 2023 deployment of F-35 simulators aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
The effort involved extensive collaboration across the Naval Aviation Enterprise and partnerships with Boeing, Collins Aerospace, and General Dynamics Information Technology.
The Navy further plans to expand the Simulators at Sea program to other aircraft carriers, further enhancing the training and readiness of its naval aviators.
US Navy Focuses On Virtual Training
The US Navy is navigating significant challenges related to time and cost when it comes to training personnel. Onboard vessels, where sailors have numerous regular duties, finding time for effective training can be problematic.
The constraints of training at sea are compounded by the need to balance daily tasks with the demands of preparing for complex missions.
Traditional joint mission training has been hampered by the prohibitive costs and operational risks associated with live drills.
Moreover, conducting open-air rehearsals risks exposing Navy tactics to potential adversaries, making the shift to virtual training systems a crucial development. This approach addresses these limitations by offering a cost-effective, secure alternative to live exercises.
The latest deployment of advanced simulators marks a key effort in the Navy’s strategy to enhance training efficiency. By utilizing simulators to teach fundamental skills, the Navy can conserve resources and reserve live flying for high-end tactical exercises crucial for preparing for adversaries such as China.
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In April, US Navy officials disclosed that a virtual test range initially designed to evaluate Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters has been in operation since 2022. This system provides both American and international fighter pilots with advanced training that cannot be replicated in real-world scenarios.
The Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Maryland has seen increasing demand, with numerous operational F-35 squadrons from the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force seeking access to its high-fidelity threat environment.
The JSE’s success has led to the integration of Lockheed F-22 cockpit simulators and ongoing efforts to add simulators for Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes.
Future updates to the JSE are planned to include emerging platforms such as the Next Generation Air Dominance sixth-generation fighter, the Northrop B-21 stealth bomber, and autonomous drones known as collaborative combat aircraft.
The JSE is now an integral part of the formal curriculum for military weapons schools, offering pre-deployment training for fighter squadrons.
By 2025, the US military plans to incorporate elements of this digital-range environment into the integrated test-training facility at NAS Fallon in Nevada, home to the Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, commonly known as TOPGUN.
By 2028, the Air Force expects to fully integrate a high-fidelity JSE with F-35 and F-22 simulators into its Virtual Training and Testing Center at Nellis AFB.
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