RAF’S NEW ACES STAY GROUNDED
Pilots are learning on computer
TOP Gun pilots are to train on computer simulators on the ground – with real-life flying mostly saved for wars.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, head of the RAF, wants “highly classified, ultra-realistic” environments created on simulators at air and naval bases.
Time spent on computers will contribute towards the flying hours required to qualify as a pilot – though they will still carry out real flying.
Sir Mike said: “I can see a future where almost all training, force generation and mission planning and rehearsal is done in a synthetic environment.”
Currently a Typhoon pilot will carry out 30% of training virtually, but this will flip under the new plan. Navy sources said: “People go online and fight with their friends in Call of Duty. This is like a big, complex version of that, where real airmen operate in a synthetic war without having to leave the ground. “You can record and play it back, you can press pause. The enemy can’t watch what you are doing and what your tactics are.”
A £36million Gladiator simulator will be operating by the end of this year. Pilots will be able to replicate real-life scenarios allowing US and UK aircrew to experience the same environment and threats.