IAF Provides an Inside Look at Shaldag Unit’s New Simulator
IsraelDefense
| 20/01/2019
The Shaldag simulator (Photo: Alexandra Aksyutich / IAF website)
Over the last few years, the “Shaldag” simulator in Palmahim AFB has undergone a groundbreaking transformation and become the IAF’s most demanded simulator. “The simulator is made up of several stations connected to one another by an internal network. Each station has virtual reality headsets and noise-canceling headphones. There are three stations besides the combatant stations: one is meant for an RPAV operator and includes RPAV control systems; the other two have cyclic sticks and pedals and are meant for helicopter pilots", said Sgt. Maj. P., a “Shaldag” operator and the commander of the simulator. “This makes the simulation more realistic. Simulative training may never replace physical training – there’s a huge difference between simulation on a screen and physical groundwork – but it was never meant to.”
Early training in the simulator makes training in the field much more efficient. “This doubles our power – we conserve resources and precious time which can be used for more complex actions without putting lives at risk,” added Sgt. Maj. P.
The simulator is based on standard simulation technologies in the IAF, but it differs in maps, content, capabilities, and goals. “We establish maps and virtual structures with verisimilitude using military intelligence. We may recreate specific streets and buildings in their entirety, including the number of floors, entrances, and exits. The content changes according to each mission,” said Maj. Ruti Uzan, Head of the IAF Simulator Department.
Nowadays, combat doctrines are being established in the simulator. “A crew due to raid a specific structure has to raid it in the simulator first. Only after they know what to do, do they head out on the operation,” said Sgt. Maj. P. “We trained alongside ‘Yanshuf’ (Black Hawk) helicopters from the 123rd (‘Desert Birds’) Squadron in open terrain. An aircrew member from the squadron came to the simulator and we trained together. After concluding our training and arriving at conclusions in the debrief, we set out to perform the same training routine in the field. The responses were excellent: the combatants and pilots knew what to expect.”
“The mission also involves making decisions regarding uninvolved persons or surprising hostile forces,” added Maj. R., Head of the Munitions Department's Simulator Unit and an aircrew member at the 123rd Squadron. “Sometimes we simulate a scenario in which one of the combatants is wounded and requires medevac. This calls for us to remain in contact with the combatants – it’s hard to detect the forces from above during such situations. The simulator allows us to drill these scenarios and establish a mutual language.”
Learning the Ropes
“In my opinion, the simulator's main unique quality is its ability to bring together several operational sources,” said Sgt. Shira, a simulator instructor. “One of the most significant things we added over the past year was the aerial facet. We didn't have that in the past, but nowadays, every combatant in the simulator knows that they're seated alongside an RPAV operator and several aircrew members.”
Each training session begins with a brief held by one of the simulator instructors. Afterward, the training combatants put on their virtual reality headsets and noise-canceling headphones before beginning the simulation. The instructors have the ability to “play” with the training field, adding and removing threats, maneuvering the enemy's capabilities and choosing the combatants’ location.
“Unlike different simulators, the operation isn’t the only factor. There’s also the matter of discretion, choice and mission-oriented thinking. Unlike computer games, we don't examine whether the other team was eliminated or not but the way the combatants chose to operate.”
“We are still learning the ropes of the new simulator,” concluded Sgt. Maj. P. “Our goal is to have simulative training become a part of the regulated training of aircrew members and RPAV operators.” Besides instruction, those serving at the simulators are working on a new addition – integrating control into simulative training. “Air traffic controllers are an inseparable part of the operational activity in the force, and it's important that this manifests itself in simulative training as well,” said Sgt. Shira. “As soon as this happens, we will be able to wholeheartedly say that every component of the IAF’s operationality is present at the simulator. We won’t stop here – there’s a long road ahead of us.”
First published by Yael Fuchs on the IAF website
The Shaldag simulator (Photo: Alexandra Aksyutich / IAF website)
Over the last few years, the “Shaldag” simulator in Palmahim AFB has undergone a groundbreaking transformation and become the IAF’s most demanded simulator. “The simulator is made up of several stations connected to one another by an internal network. Each station has virtual reality headsets and noise-canceling headphones. There are three stations besides the combatant stations: one is meant for an RPAV operator and includes RPAV control systems; the other two have cyclic sticks and pedals and are meant for helicopter pilots", said Sgt. Maj. P., a “Shaldag” operator and the commander of the simulator. “This makes the simulation more realistic. Simulative training may never replace physical training – there’s a huge difference between simulation on a screen and physical groundwork – but it was never meant to.”
Early training in the simulator makes training in the field much more efficient. “This doubles our power – we conserve resources and precious time which can be used for more complex actions without putting lives at risk,” added Sgt. Maj. P.
The simulator is based on standard simulation technologies in the IAF, but it differs in maps, content, capabilities, and goals. “We establish maps and virtual structures with verisimilitude using military intelligence. We may recreate specific streets and buildings in their entirety, including the number of floors, entrances, and exits. The content changes according to each mission,” said Maj. Ruti Uzan, Head of the IAF Simulator Department.
Nowadays, combat doctrines are being established in the simulator. “A crew due to raid a specific structure has to raid it in the simulator first. Only after they know what to do, do they head out on the operation,” said Sgt. Maj. P. “We trained alongside ‘Yanshuf’ (Black Hawk) helicopters from the 123rd (‘Desert Birds’) Squadron in open terrain. An aircrew member from the squadron came to the simulator and we trained together. After concluding our training and arriving at conclusions in the debrief, we set out to perform the same training routine in the field. The responses were excellent: the combatants and pilots knew what to expect.”
“The mission also involves making decisions regarding uninvolved persons or surprising hostile forces,” added Maj. R., Head of the Munitions Department's Simulator Unit and an aircrew member at the 123rd Squadron. “Sometimes we simulate a scenario in which one of the combatants is wounded and requires medevac. This calls for us to remain in contact with the combatants – it’s hard to detect the forces from above during such situations. The simulator allows us to drill these scenarios and establish a mutual language.”
Learning the Ropes
“In my opinion, the simulator's main unique quality is its ability to bring together several operational sources,” said Sgt. Shira, a simulator instructor. “One of the most significant things we added over the past year was the aerial facet. We didn't have that in the past, but nowadays, every combatant in the simulator knows that they're seated alongside an RPAV operator and several aircrew members.”
Each training session begins with a brief held by one of the simulator instructors. Afterward, the training combatants put on their virtual reality headsets and noise-canceling headphones before beginning the simulation. The instructors have the ability to “play” with the training field, adding and removing threats, maneuvering the enemy's capabilities and choosing the combatants’ location.
“Unlike different simulators, the operation isn’t the only factor. There’s also the matter of discretion, choice and mission-oriented thinking. Unlike computer games, we don't examine whether the other team was eliminated or not but the way the combatants chose to operate.”
“We are still learning the ropes of the new simulator,” concluded Sgt. Maj. P. “Our goal is to have simulative training become a part of the regulated training of aircrew members and RPAV operators.” Besides instruction, those serving at the simulators are working on a new addition – integrating control into simulative training. “Air traffic controllers are an inseparable part of the operational activity in the force, and it's important that this manifests itself in simulative training as well,” said Sgt. Shira. “As soon as this happens, we will be able to wholeheartedly say that every component of the IAF’s operationality is present at the simulator. We won’t stop here – there’s a long road ahead of us.”
First published by Yael Fuchs on the IAF website
