IAF to Integrate F-15 Simulator at Hatzor Airbase

Hatzor AFB's Mission Training Center is currently in the process of integrating an F-15 simulator, according to the IAF website. The process is led by the IAF's Flight Test Center and the 69th Squadron, which operates the "Ra'am" (F-15I) fighter jet

IAF to Integrate F-15 Simulator at Hatzor Airbase

Archive photo: IAF website

Over the past years, Hatzor AFB's Mission Training Center (MTC) only allowed for F-16 simulative training. As part of a plan to improve the Fighter Division's training level, the MTC is undergoing a developmental process to enable F-15 simulation. According to the IAF, the MTC is their most advanced simulator, allowing for realistic sortie simulations, communication between the aircrews and the ability to train in teams. It also allows aircrews to practice interceptions and advanced missions.

"The training available in the MTC isn't available anywhere else," Maj. G., Commander of the MTC, told the IAF website. "We decided to put the MTC to its full use and ensure high-quality training, knowing we can prevent the IAF from expending fuel and rigorous maintenance through aerial training."

The IAF's F-15 Division is home to the IAF's strategic squadron, the 69th ("Hammers") Squadron, which operates the "Ra'am" (F-15I) fighter jet. Until now, the squadron trained solely in emergency simulators and its integration in the MTC is a significant move.

"The squadron participates in extensive operational activity," said Maj. D., an aircrew member from the 69th Squadron. "Integrating the MTC into our training program will give us the ability to simulate certain difficult situations which we've never been able to simulate before. For example, we can simulate an operational mission in which we encounter a SAM (surface-to-air missile) ambush or a number of enemy aircraft. The ability to simulate these events is incredibly significant for us."

The "Baz" (F-15) and "Ra'am" (F-15I) fighter jet integration process is led by the Flight Test Squadron. "We are currently in the test trial stage, which is split into two parts. The first one will see the 69th Squadron and the 106th ("Tip of the Spear") Squadron, which operates the "Baz" (F-15) fighter jet, arrive at the MTC for the evaluation process. Conclusive tests will be conducted on the aircraft's systems. Observations from the evaluation will be transferred to Elbit Systems, which will implement the necessary changes before the beginning of the second, conclusive part of the test. Later, the aircraft will be integrated into the IAF."

"During the week, we flew two sorties per day – the first one was a regular formation flight and the second was a training flight," said Maj. D. "The first sortie of each day focused on the feeling of a simulated formation flight, which is completely different to an actual formation flight. The second sortie focused on interception missions."

Although the simulator is on the ground, the people responsible for its complex capabilities are the FTC service members. "The FTC has the ability to examine the system and keep a close eye on it. When operational pilots test the simulator, they treat it as if it was their aircraft. They have to adjust themselves in order to operate the mission in the best way possible," elaborated the FTC officer in charge of the integration process. "We are the ones who need to ensure that the system works properly."

"The Goal: Instilling Proper Conduct for Each Scenario"

The MTC not only saves money but also allows pilots to simulate scenarios that they cannot drill in the air – extreme situations such as "dogfights" and live-fire defense, which can risk human lives. The scenarios improve the aircrew members’ tactical capabilities. "In the MTC, aircrew members aren’t limited by altitude or speed. In the simulator, you could plan a war from anywhere in the world," said Maj. A., Head of the Advanced Training Department. "In an advanced world where the battlefield is constantly changing, the FTC provides the flexibility needed from aircrew members in training. The next operation could break out any day, and if we improved our pilot’s readiness, we succeeded in our mission."

"My greatest fear is that the MTC will be nothing but a simulator," confessed Maj. A. "We want to go beyond the simulator – to have the aircrews forget that they’re seated in a room, thus enabling high-quality training. In order to do so, every detail has to be realistic and precise. Not just the same cockpit, but also the same controls. That’s how we can create a feeling identical to being in the air."

The training ends up proving itself: "After a successful UAV interception by a Deputy Squadron Commander in an F-16 squadron, I asked him how it went. He said that he felt as if he had done it before – he did the exact same thing in the simulator," the MTC Commander shared. "During the mission, he recalled the simulation. That’s our goal: instilling proper conduct for each scenario. No one can say which scenario will occur tomorrow morning, but we will train scenarios that are likely to happen according to our estimation."

In the far future, transport aircraft, RPAV, and helicopter simulators are expected in the MTC, with each squadron having a number of dedicated training hours in the simulator. "I believe that simulators are about to become very significant," concluded Maj. Shlomi Shalem, Head of Tactical Simulators in the Simulator Branch. "The virtual technology at our service allows for high-quality training. The scope of simulator training is bound to expand in every division, with the next stage allowing us to interlace the divisions into one gestalt, just like in reality."

 

The article was originally published by Adi Leshem, Illy Pe'ery and Carmel Stern on the IAF website

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