Training value of Live Virtual Constructive air combat training in simulations and international air combat exercise - Opportunities and challenges in theory and practice

The Live Virtual Constructive training (LVC-T) concept, where fighter pilots in real aircraft train together with fighter pilots in simulators and computer-generated entities, is a plausible concept for air combat training. Research on training value of LVC-T for pilots in real and simulated aircraft is largely lacking. This research explores LVC-T in collaboration with fighter pilots. This report investigates and presents risks, challenges, opportunities and preconditions for introducing LVC-T. Data analysed in this report originate from a) evaluations carried out in simulators (called White Wizard) of LVC-T scenarios designed by pilots focusing on training value for real and simulated aircraft pilots, and b) a survey at Arctic Challenge Exercise 2021 (ACE21) on training value and LVC-T. The evaluations have been analysed from two complementary theoretical perspectives, Learning Design Sequences (LDS) and Activity theory, to identify opportunities and problems with LVC-T as a training concept. An identified challenge is ambiguity of the rules for real and virtual aircraft as they act in the same scenario. Descriptive statistics of the ACE21 survey are presented. The pilots were generally positive about ACE21 from a training value perspective and express that the use of LVCT in large exercises can further strengthen training value.