Simulator Training in Sweden

The participation in the weeklong training every year during the period of the program is made possible by the modified Gripen lease agreement. The Swedish Air Force Air Combat Simulation Center has been run and developed by the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) since 1998. Besides providing training for pilots, intercept controllers and joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs), the center provides means for testing onboard avionics and weapons as well as means for the development of new tactics and combat techniques. The center has facilities for the simultaneous training of eight pilots, two intercept controllers and one joint terminal attack controller. The pre-constructed scenarios enable the soldiers to progress by the end of training from simple missions to the more complex tasks which require more experience. There is also opportunity to carry out full preparation, to continuously monitor the task execution as well as to replay and evaluate the completed missions.

The pilots practiced in two-on-two, four-on-four and beyond visual range air combat scenarios. The training program included the preparation of the lead aircraft of two-plane and flight-level formations as well as the conduct of offensive and defensive counter-air operations.

The missions involved in Composite Air Operations (COMAO) require that the participants of the operation be led and prepared by a well-trained commander. For this reason, the centre provides facilities for training the operations commanders who are to lead COMAO formations. Beyond acquiring the skills of air-to-air and air-to-ground deployments, during the training missions the training audience had a chance to practice suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) maneuvers, which was followed by a meticulous and detailed after action review. Throughout the training the IC staff focused on the control of two-on-two and four-on-four air combats and the execution of COMAO missions as well as the further development of their close cooperation with the pilots.

To be able to take full advantage of the Gripens’ combat roles, it is necessary to prepare the joint terminal attack controllers and let them practice how to request close air support (CAS) for the land force units. For this reason, the scenarios of the training program included built-in CAS missions. The joint training and task execution and the detailed after action reviews ensured the continuous enhancement of effectiveness and the successful execution of real-world missions.

The personnel completed 200 flying missions during the complex training, which considerably improves the soldiers’ proficiency in a very cost-effective way. The simulator training substitutes for those real-world missions that could be implemented only at enormously magnified costs even under home circumstances. The simulation center provided the participants with opportunity to fly missions which – considering the number of aircraft at home – either could not be carried out or could be carried out only on major NATO exercises.