"Simulating You Onward"

The world of training simulators is advancing to the maximum extent that current technology allows. At the IAF's 320th Squadron, even squadron commanders must obey the instructor's orders, and the Israeli defense industries already have the future generation in mind

"Simulating You Onward"

The Lavi simulator (Photo: IAF)

The pilot, Captain A., told me to take the left-hand seat in the cockpit of a CH-53 (IAF designation Yas'ur) heavy-lift helicopter. He took the right-hand seat and behind us sat Naomi, the simulator instructor. Immediately after take-off, Captain A. handed the joystick over to me: "We will fly from Palmachim to Ramat-David and then south to the training zone in Nevatim. Try to maintain a straight and level attitude." Subsequently, I dropped the helicopter's nose to gain power and speed up the flight, executed right and left turns – all very gently. Occasionally, a sampled voice issued a warning, "Wires!", so I pulled the stick to evade power lines, and then Naomi announced through the intercom, "Engine Failure!" and a Master Caution warning lamp turned on. Captain A. assumed control and relied on his experience and the vital check procedure to overcome the engine malfunction. We went on, and while over Nevatim, Naomi announced "Control Failure!" Captain A. reported to the control tower in Nevatim that we are landing owing to a malfunction. The sortie ended.

All of the above actually happened – but on the ground, in a flight simulator at the IAF's 320th Squadron at Palmachim airbase – a squadron in charge of simulators for helicopters (CH-53 Yas'ur and UH-60 Yanshuf) and UAVs. The cockpit of the simulator is identical to the cockpit of a real Yas'ur helicopter, so the trainee sees the natural flight environment, senses the flight and can even see the rotor turning over his/her head, making real-life noise. The simulator instructor in the rear cabin can 'arrange' for the training pilot to fly at sunrise or sunset, in the rain, under extremely hot or windy conditions – all according to the pilot's training program and the syllabus of the simulator instructor manning the rear cabin.

The simulator in which we experienced our sortie is a static simulator that provides a sense of motion and can simulate all of the operations of a real helicopter. Positioned next to it is a larger dynamic simulator, which consists of a spacious cockpit, mounted on several axes. This dynamic system simulates all of the motions and vibrations of a real helicopter very accurately, assuring the trainee an experience as close to an actual helicopter flight as possible.

A Primary Activity in the Training Program

Simulators are gradually occupying center stage in the instruction, schooling, and training of operators in numerous professional activities, and the IDF leads the way: simulators provide training support for air-defense operator training, for driving lessons and for various medical specialties. The training base of the IDF Corps of Artillery has a large, state-of-the-art simulator and various command and control centers use simulators as well.

The IAF is the leader in the use of simulators, and the 320th Squadron at Palmachim airbase specializes in the operation of instruction, training and competence maintenance simulators for pilots of Yas'ur (CH-53) and Yanshuf (UH-60) helicopters and UAVs. The pilots of the attack helicopters Peten (AH-64A Apache) and Saraf (AH-64D Apache Longbow) and the naval helicopter Atalef (AS565 Panther) still train on simulators overseas. Fighter pilots train at the simulator farm that occupies a large and impressive building at Hatzor airbase, where simulators for Barak (F-16C/D), Sufa (F-16I) and Ra'am (F-15I) fighters are used. The IAF Flying School cadets at Hatzerim airbase train on the simulator supplied along with the relatively new Italian-made training jet, the Lavi (M-346 Master). This simulator is a part of the training and instruction setup installed by Elbit Systems at the Flying School.

The pilots of the Adir (F-35) squadron took delivery, last year, of one of the most sophisticated simulators in the world of military aviation – the Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for the cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighters. The trainees at the IAF Technical School also use a simulator of the Patriot missile system as part of their training.

"Simulator training is superior to real-life training," Lt. Col. A., the commander of the 320th Squadron at Palmachim airbase told Israel Defense. "The simulator offers the training pilot many features he will not have during an actual flight. You cannot shut off an engine during an actual flight, but you can shut off the engine during a simulator flight. As we fly helicopters, we must practice 'heavy' flying, where the helicopter is loaded to full capacity, flying at a borderline flight level. This is complex and even dangerous flying that we cannot practice in the air, but must practice nevertheless. Additionally, in the simulator, you can make mistakes while in the air you must never err. In the simulator, you can practice operations again and again, analyze each execution cycle and repeat it as necessary."

"The Future: Operational Simulators"

The core of the squadron consists of 25 female simulator instructors, officers and NCOs, in compulsory and regular service. The instructors belong in one of the highest personnel quality categories of the IDF and go through a nine-month-long training course at the conclusion of which they sign up for additional (regular) service. They must fully command such aspects as the aircraft structure and sortie types, initiation of malfunctions, procedures for overcoming malfunctions and many other subjects.

Every day, the simulator instructors at the squadron encounter helicopter pilots, from young pilots to veteran reservist pilots, from lieutenants to squadron and airbase commanders. Once the pilots enter the simulator cockpit, ranks do not matter – only the periodic professional examination every pilot must pass and the training for special missions. If you fail to pass the simulator examination – you will not fly, even if you are the squadron commander.

In the simulator, the pilot practices flying under the most extreme weather conditions, in cloudy and clear skies, as well as various emergencies. Reservist pilots who feel they are a little "rusty" during the flights are happy to enter the simulator cockpit. "During the simulator flight, there is no talking between the training pilots and the simulator instructor. She has her work plan, and she initiates the malfunctions, checks the responses, analyzes the pilot's performance after the session and determines the grade," says Lt. Col. A.

Training on the UAV simulator is similar to training on simulators of manned aircraft, except the training pilot sits in the ground control trailer. From the trailer, he/she launches and controls the UAV, monitors the payload imaging, practices the various missions each UAV model can execute, checks and practices the UAV video collection procedures, monitors the progress of the sortie and finally lands the UAV – all using the simulator. The UAV category also has an operator-level simulator and an application-level simulator.

The squadron commander told us that the simulator computers are becoming more powerful and sophisticated all the time, and each new upgrade and refinement makes the virtual reality more similar to the "real" reality in the air. Lt. Col. A., a veteran Yas'ur helicopter pilot, will soon travel to Italy to review new projectors for the simulators. "In helicopter flying, it is important to examine the terrain where you intend to land. The simulator provides that capability. I can hover and examine the terrain very closely to decide whether I can land and how – all using the simulator. Today, the standard practice when you acquire a new aircraft is for the simulator to be a part of the package. This was the case with the Lavi (M-346 Master) trainer aircraft and with the Adir (F-35) stealth fighter."

Lt. Col. A. outlined the future dream simulator: "Operational simulators – that is the future. Not just a simulator for the operation of an aerial platform, but an operational simulator on which the pilots will be able to train while maintaining communication between fighter aircraft and helicopters, with the HQ and various command centers. An operational simulator that provides connectivity for the execution of joint operations – even combined arms operations. This is still a dream, but it will come true. In the IAF, we are already designing mission-specific simulators. Awareness of the artificial intelligence (AI) element is also entering the simulator world. The virtual reality world is compatible with the world of flight simulators. You no longer have to travel to the training zones, as you can practice on the simulator at home or on the beach."

Blue vs. Red

The defense industries closely monitor the simulator world in the IDF and particularly in the IAF. Two of the major simulator installations – at the IAF Flying School in Hatzerim and at the Hatzor fighter airbase – were designed and built and are currently operated by Elbit Systems. Tal Levi, a senior executive in charge of training and instruction solutions for fighter aircraft and helicopters at Elbit Systems, distinguishes between two simulator categories. The first category is the virtual training simulator, where the operator sits in a simulating system – the flight simulator. The other category is live training, where the operator sits in an actual aerial platform and the system injects a training layer into the platform. One example is the ACMI system, which consists of a pod that records the flight data and generates various simulations in the air for the training pilot. After landing, the data recording undergoes analysis to determine the training pilot's performance level.

Elbit Systems provides land, sea and air simulator solutions. Their aircraft simulators offer such capabilities as aircraft operation drills, emergencies, single cockpit operation, engine faults, undercarriage and hydraulic system faults, learning to control the aircraft in uncontrollable and ''engine cut" situations, landing under extreme weather conditions – all through the simulator.

The most advanced category is the tactical simulator. These simulators support operational aircraft employment practice, as well as the operation of multiple aircraft in the context of various operational scenarios. Levi cites the simulator farm at Hatzor airbase as an example: "At Hatzor airbase we have ten simulator domes. Each dome represents a fighter aircraft and there are numerous options for the program of the training session.

"For example, two of the domes are 'Red,' namely – the pilots manning them will represent enemy aircraft. The remaining eight domes will represent 'Blue' aircraft, namely – friendly forces. These pilots will practice 'Blue against Red' air combat scenarios. 

"The simulator computer can simulate a formation of four aircraft flying opposite a busy theater, facing 'Red' aircraft. The simulator computers have all of the capabilities of the F-16 fighters and recently those of the F-15 fighters as well. Elbit Systems built the installation at Hatzor airbase through its own financing, and the IAF pays for the maintenance. The objective is to replace operational flight hours with realistic scenario training on the simulators. This improves the pilots' preparedness," says Levi.

Elbit Systems established a training and instruction setup at the IAF Flying School in Hatzerim airbase that includes a simulator for the Lavi (M-346 Master) trainer aircraft. This simulator consists of four simulator domes for tactical training plus two smaller simulators. This setup enables diversified training, from emergency drills to training for a formation of four aircraft. The Flying School cadets fly the Lavi trainer during the last ("advanced") stage of the flying course. Flying school graduates also use these simulators during the advanced training course and advanced operational training course. 

"Training pilots can use the simulators at Hatzerim airbase to practice flying in pairs or in fours," Levi added. "Before every actual sortie, they fly several sorties/sessions on the simulator. This makes better pilots and trains them more effectively for operational flights so that the training stage at the operational squadron they are assigned to will be as short as possible."

"80% of the Training is Simulated"

At Israel Aeronautics Industries (IAI), they are justly satisfied with the recent decision of the German Parliament to authorize the deal of leasing Heron-TP UAVs for the German Army. When a client purchases or leases the Heron UAV system (IAF designation Eitan), the package will always include instruction and training equipment, namely – a simulator. This applies to UAVs of various types and sizes IAI manufactures. IAI sells these systems to the IDF and to 52 countries worldwide, and the package always includes a training/instruction element.

IAI manufactures various types of simulators, but the focus is on their MALAT division, which manufactures simulators for unmanned aircraft. Rahamim Naman, Head of the Simulator Administration at IAI's MALAT Division, explained that in the UAV world, the operators perform about 80% of their training activity on the simulators – which is more than the simulator training percentage of manned aircraft pilots. "With the UAV simulator, the training operator sits in a ground control trailer and does not know whether the image he/she sees on the display screen is a real platform or a simulated platform. The UAV simulators have a dual role: flight control training and mission training using the payload and its range of features.

"In flight control training, the simulator simulates the behavior patterns of the UAV and the operator practices takeoff and landing procedures and overcoming malfunctions. Mission training pertains to the functional performance of the UAV – the simulator simulates the performance of the payload, the information collected by the surveillance cameras, the video input, the communication between the UAV and the ground control trailer – the simulator must simulate all of these features so as to ensure that the training activity resembles reality as closely as possible."

How does a UAV simulator operate?

"The operator enters the ground control trailer. As I said, he/she does not know whether the UAV on the screen is real or simulated. During the more advanced stages of the training session, he/she should practice handling malfunctions with the instructor's help – the payload has stopped working, the engine is heating up or has shut off, the communication link has disconnected. We also simulate the vital check procedures – the operator's bible. Very often, during training sessions, you will hear the instructor announcing, 'Engine cut! What do you do?'," says Naman. During the session, the instructor will initiate changes in the weather conditions or take the training operator to a new training zone.

The most advanced stage of the UAV training simulator involves cooperative employment of multiple UAVs – the combined operation of simulator cells to simulate the combined operation of a group of UAVs. A master instructor creates and disseminates the scenarios to the individual cells, and the training operators practice cooperation between UAVs or cooperation with manned aircraft and helicopters, and even a dialog with a battalion commander on the ground, who expects the products of the UAV payload, namely – the intelligence data he requires in order to conduct his unit's combat operations.

"Much More than Just Stick & Throttle Training"

The simulator of the F-35 Adir stealth fighters at the squadron in Nevatim is one of the most advanced simulators in military aviation. The Golden Eagle Squadron received it in November 2017, at the same time as Norway and Japan – two other clients operating the F-35 fighter. The F-35 simulator is a Full Mission Simulator (FMS). It trains the pilot in the operation of all aircraft systems and activities: aircraft control and operation of systems, navigation, electronics, Radar, the unique helmet, weapons laying and deployment as well as in the operation of the entire range of unique sensors and software elements.

The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, stated that the FMS provides the training pilots with a complete training suit that is the most advanced in military aviation. The simulator has all of the sensors, weapon systems and ordnance of the original aircraft. Lockheed Martin developed the FMS during the development of the aircraft itself. The aircraft and the simulator use the same software elements, which introduce the pilot into the content world of operating the aircraft in all possible scenarios. In the simulator, the pilot faces a high-definition 360-degree video vision, and the FMS introduces him to the exact operational environment where he would find himself when he flies the real aircraft. For this reason, the FMS provides training and instruction for young pilots and is used for the conversion of pilots with a longer service record and for refresher sorties of even the most experienced pilots.

Oscar Alvarez, a stealth fighter flight instructor at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina, said, "The F-35 has taken simulation to the next level. The Full Mission Simulator prepares pilots for the first flight through mission rehearsal as a key element to the training program, particularly since the F-35 is a single-seat fighter attack aircraft. Our job is to make sure F-35 pilots have the foundation they need to maximize the capabilities of this aircraft."

The technical section of the Golden Eagle Squadron at Nevatim airbase benefits from a dedicated simulator for stealth aircraft technicians, the Aircraft Systems Maintenance Trainer (ASMT). This simulator can simulate 70% of the tasks assigned to F-35 aircraft technicians, all virtually. It minimizes the need for time-consuming studying of the maintenance procedures on the real aircraft. Maintaining the F-35 frame is complex and intricate to begin with, owing to the need to retain its stealth characteristics.

To conclude our visit to the IAF’s 320th Squadron at Palmachim airbase, they invited us to join simulator instructor Eleanor at the dynamic simulator, and fly a UH-60 Yanshuf helicopter. During our sortie, Eleanor initiated, for example, a fuel tank leak. Immediately thereafter, the instruments generated a visual and aural fire warning. The (real) pilot had to address and overcome all of the malfunctions. With the dynamic simulator, the trainees sense all of the helicopter's motions, movements and turns very realistically. A quick glimpse at the color display screens in instructor Eleanor's cabin showed icons that represent every possible malfunction, which the instructor initiates in order to train, teach and drill the training pilots and improve their performance.

A perfect match for the motto of the IAF 320th Simulator Squadron: "Simulating You Onward."