Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability Program Office achieved several milestones while supporting Valiant Shield 2024 in Guam, June 9-16.
During Valiant Shield 2024, for the first time, high-level, advanced tactical Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) aviation training was conducted West of the International Date Line, in Guam, an inaugural event for the PMTEC forward training site.
PMTEC, partnered with industry and defense department stakeholders to deliver LVC enabled capabilities, which enhanced joint warfighter readiness by linking real-world live aircraft to virtual simulators flown by real pilots. LVC capabilities across the Pacific theater allow joint and coalition warfighters to conduct high-end training without revealing tactics, techniques, and procedures to our adversaries.
During the VS24 LVC demonstration, PMTEC enabled real-world fighter aircraft to conduct rehearsal tactics against virtual aircraft representative of adversarial aircraft and weapons systems. This capability enhances the realism and quality of training for pilots in the aircraft, while also maximizing efficient use of their time airborne through real-time monitoring. This allows for adjustments made during the live-vul periods. The demonstration was also recorded, adjudicated, and debriefed utilizing a revolutionary Multi-Domain Common Data Model tool enabling cloud-based distributed debriefs to occur in a fraction of the time normally conducted.
The PMTEC demonstration supported shore-based EA-18G Growlers operations flying both as friendly (blue) and opposing (red) air. Blue forces interacted with manned effects-based simulators connected through a ground network located at the PMTEC forward training site, located at Navy Base Guam.
During this INDOPACOM-first, PMTEC also partnered with NAVAIRSYSCOM and PMA-205, conducting successful over-the-horizon link inject-to-live demonstrations with Carrier Air Wing Five’s F/A-18 Super Hornets. During these events, synthetic stimulations that are generated by constructive tools were injected into the aircrafts sensors via a network of satellite and carrier based systems, resulting in the pilots having to react to radar and sensor data that represented real-threat information created through virtual capabilities.
“The PMTEC team delivered a historic virtual training and rehearsal enabler in Guam during Valiant Shield 2024,” said Dr. Andre J. Stridiron III, PMTEC Capability Program Manager. “With continued rapid advancements in technology, the PMTEC operations, activities, and investments are key to the continued expansion of live, virtual, and
constructive training throughout the Indo-Pacific region and eventually across the Globe enabling training with our European partners.”
Prior to the implementation of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command PMTEC office, military trainings across the Pacific was primarily domain-centric, without a significant focus on coordinated and collaborative warfighting capabilities. PMTEC resources are critical to synchronizing joint and coalition multi-domain training and rehearsals across the INDOPACOM AOR, directly enabling posture, deterrence, while increasing Joint Force readiness. Another critical value to measure the success of the PMTEC demonstration of LVC capabilities is the data indicating the implementation more than doubled the number of tactical training events conducted throughout the Marianas during VS24’s introduction of a new era of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s training and rehearsal capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region