Williamtown and Tindal F-35 sims connected

The Australian Department of Defence in partnership with Lockheed Martin have connected F-35 simulators at RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal via F-35’s distributed mission training (DMT) network.

CAPTION: Inside an F-35 simulator. Image supplied by Lockheed Martin.

This establishes Australia as the first international F-35 customer to receive this capability.

Vice president of F-35 Training and Logistics at Lockheed Martin Raashi Quattlebaum said that by training together in a virtual environment, F-35 pilots could build the skills and confidence they need to execute missions and dominate the skies.

“With distributed mission training, we’re not just connecting simulators – we’re connecting pilots and strengthening operations for 21st century security,” he said.

DMT connects F-35 simulators across borders, enabling seamless training exercises between F-35 pilots stationed across the globe. By providing large-force training capabilities, DMT allows pilots to practice complex scenarios and build the necessary skills for real-world missions.

Lockheed Martin and the RAAF successfully connected the two sites, more than 2800km apart, for distributed mission training.

Rob Weitzman, Lockheed Martin Program Director for F-35 Australia, said establishing a distributed mission training network between RAAF bases Williamtown and Tindal would provide Australia with an advanced training capability that would enhance the readiness of its pilots while reducing the sustainment costs of its 72 F-35As — the largest fleet of Joint Strike Fighters outside of the US.

“Lockheed Martin has established our most significant F-35 sustainment presence outside the US in Australia, and we are proud to work with the Department of Defence and our local industry partners to deliver this record-breaking training-capability milestone.”

Within the F-35 full mission simulator, pilots can engage in realistic and immersive training exercises over a secure network.

This option provides a safe and efficient learning environment to try new exercises and techniques.

It also allows for more repetitions of an exercise in a single training session.

Lockheed Martin is the sustainment lead for the RAAF’s F-35 fleet, partnering with local industry suppliers including Milskil to deliver pilot training solutions at RAAF bases Williamtown and Tindal.

 

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