There are two kinds of airplanes: experimental and obsolete. The F-22 Raptor is in the experimental stages. If preliminary test reports are accurate, it is a wonder plane. It flies faster than the F-15, flies under control slower than the F-15, uses less fuel than an F-15, and the F-22 is stealthy. It also has a tendency to suck foreign objects into its engines and costs roughly the gross domestic product of a small country.
If Congress can be convinced that the F-22 is worth the price, the U.S. Air Force will have a very capable new plane. But there is one other unique feature of the F-22. There is no F-22B. That is, there is no two-seater version for training purposes. So the new F-22 pilots will be taking off for their first flight in the most expensive plane in the world with no instructor to ease them over rough spots. This could give a whole new meaning to the phrase "crash program".
The U.S. Air Force's solution to this problem is to have only experienced F-15 pilots fly the F-22, and these select few will first train on simulators. The simulators will, of course, be the most advanced money can buy. Those new F-22 pilots will be playing a very sophisticated solo air combat game. In fact, there are a series of such games. The weapons and tactics simulator looks like a series of panels, switches, etc. arranged on three sides of the pilot's seat. It is only able to show flat visuals and the appropriate instrument readings. There is a working stick and throttle. With this simulator, the pilot can practice gunnery, air-to-air missile firing, and weapons delivery (I think that's Air Force jargon for dropping bombs).
The Boeing Company is working on the simulation. They are drawing on their experience with the simulator for their model 777 airliner and using parts of that program. This conjures up the image of a pilot tooling along in his simulator while a computer voice says, "A MiG-31 has just locked his radar on you. Would you like coffee, tea, or milk?"
The most comprehensive simulator will be the full mission trainer. It will have full virtual feedback. The simulator is enclosed in a dome so the pilot is surrounded by images of his virtual environment. Four of these trainers can be networked so the pilots can even practice formation flying. Of course at that point it's not a solo game.
Other simulators include one on the emergency procedures and ejection, and several for maintenance training. This suggests the following possible dialog. Pilot: "I'm really nervous. This is the first time I have really flown in this airplane." Mechanic: "I know just how you feel, sir. This is the first time I've worked on a real airplane."
What does that have to do with wargamers? Presumably few SWA members are ever going to become F-22 pilots. However, have you noticed how fast military technology transfers into civilian use these days? Sonar, which started out mounted on naval vessels to locate submarines is now carried by ice fishermen on Iowa's lakes. Not only does sonar locate fish, it signals how big they are. It seems like just a short time ago that reports came out about the military having a satellite-based navigation device called global positioning system (GPS). Now outdoor stores are marketing GPS to hunters and hikers. So if that trend continues, the F-22 simulations could be on the market in a couple of years. Given recent news stories about spies in classified programs, it's even conceivable that the Chinese could be out with a cheap copy by next Christmas.
This article was based on articles in Aviation Week and Space Technology issues of September 7, 1999 and November 29, 1999. Cabela's 2000 Spring catalog lists a sonar for $349. GPS units are listed for prices ranging from $409.99 to $118.99. The Des Moines Register of January 9, 2000 tells about the ice fisherman.
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