synthetic environment

Air Force to Expand Synthetic Environment for Mission Rehearsal, Testing, and Training

Aircraft simulators must evolve to meet the adversary threat, leaders from the 53rd Wing told Air Force Magazine. Once mainly used for initial qualification training, the Air Force is moving toward a paradigm of simulator training known as the "common synthetic environment" that will create non-proprietary, interchangeable training devices and environments for aircrews to train, conduct mission rehearsals, and even test new weapons and other capabilities in a virtual environment. The development is in the initial stages, with a building constructed to house the Virtual Test and Training Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The VTTC is also exploring technologies for blending synthetic scenarios with live flying at the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Ghost Bat

Kendall: Australian Ghost Bat Drone Could Pair With NGAD

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall indicated that the Air Force could incorporate the Australian-made Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone into the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems, according to media reports. Citing China’s technological superiority and aggressive acts in the region, Kendall also said the U.S. may be willing to cooperate with Australia on long-range strike capability.

Radar Sweep

US Expected to Unveil Biggest Arms Package Yet for Ukraine

Defense One

The U.S. is expected to announce the largest weapons and aid package yet for Ukraine on Aug. 23, a $3 billion package that would push total U.S. aid well past the annual budgets of at least eight federal programs, including the entire judicial branch. Timed for the 41st anniversary of Ukrainian independence, the announcement would arrive just five days after the previous one unveiled a $775 million package of advanced missiles, armored vehicles, and artillery.

Hicks Wants More High-Level Oversight of Pentagon’s JADC2 Efforts

FedScoop

A shakeup could be coming soon in the way the Pentagon manages its joint all-domain command and control efforts. A defense official close to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks confirmed that Hicks sees the need for “additional, high-level oversight for JADC2 coordination.” The JADC2 initiative aims to better connect the U.S. military’s many sensors, shooters, and networks across land, air, sea, space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum—and ultimately enable battlefield commanders to make better data-driven decisions faster.

Stealthy Target Drones Sought as QF-16 Program Winds Down

The Drive

The Air Force is looking to finally make real progress on acquiring a new aerial target drone that can act as a surrogate for stealthy fifth- and near-fifth-generation fighter jets operated by potential adversaries, such as China's J-20 and Russia's Su-57. This comes as the service appears to be moving toward winding up purchases of QF-16 Viper Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) drones, which are converted from retired F-16 fighters.

Live, Virtual & Constructive Training

Air Force Magazine

The Air Force is transitioning to more virtual training to give pilots an edge, saying some higher-end maneuvers cannot be replicated in real-time training. Learn more on Air Force Magazine’s Live, Virtual & Constructive Training page.

White House Launches New War on Secrecy

Politico

The government keeps way too many secrets, the Biden administration asserts. The sprawling spy community—made up of 18 separate intelligence agencies—sees it quite differently. But despite differing worldviews, the White House is quietly gearing up to try to pierce the veil, according to eight government officials and secrecy experts and internal documents.

US Consumers Expect Cyberattacks on Uncrewed Military Vehicles

Defense News

The majority of U.S. consumers expect cyberattacks on uncrewed military vehicles but think the military should use them anyway, according to a poll. In an online poll conducted by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International and Fortress Information Security Team, a cybersecurity company, 76 percent of respondents said they believe a cyberattack on uncrewed military vehicles would be a “big deal,” though 65 percent said such an attack should not stop their use.

Air Force Chooses 5 for $4.8B Intelligence Support Contract

Washington Technology

Five companies have won positions on a potential 11-year, $4.8 billion contract to help the Air Force develop and use technologies for intelligence production. The Air Force received 10 bids for the contract going by the NOVASTAR acronym that has a five-year base period followed by a six-year option period.

Space Force Wide Field of View Testbed is Online

Via Satellite

Space Systems Command’s Wide Field of View (WFOV) Testbed is online, and the bus checkout is complete, Millennium Space Systems announced. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Blossom Point tracking facility successfully acquired WFOV and is operating the satellite. The NRL said WFOV will now move to operational location and conduct checkout with the dedicated WFOV antenna located in Geraldton, Australia.

One More Thing

Gary Sinise Hosts New Show Debuting on Veterans Day at National WWII Museum

Military.com

The National WWII Museum is one of the greatest cultural assets we have in the United States, both memorializing the men and women who contributed to the war effort and educating new generations about the stakes of the conflict. The museum is set to premiere an outdoor multimedia experience called "Expressions of America" on Veterans Day 2022. Actor Gary Sinise hosts the program, which highlights the impact that individuals had during a time of war.