Air Force Synthetic Training Effectiveness Research in the Australian Context

A high degree of individual skill is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for success in air combat. It is for this reason that the performance of teams and teams-of-teams is of great concern for all air forces. Live training exercises can provide excellent opportunities to learn the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to act as part of a coordinated fighting force. However, live exercises are expensive and logistically challenging. The tools and methods of synthetic collective training (SCT; i.e., networked simulators and associated support systems) provide a potential means by which to address some of the shortcomings of live training. The objective of the Black Skies series of exercises (EBS) is to provide an empirical basis for understanding how best to design, manage, and support SCT for air combat. The outcomes presented here suggest that the systems and methods used during EBS constitute a solid baseline for development. However, several areas requiring further research are also identified.