Boeing and Red 6 have achieved a major milestone in fighter pilot training with the successful completion of the first flight tests of an augmented reality system. The system enables pilots to see and interact with virtual elements while flying a real aircraft, providing a safe and realistic training environment. This promising advance could revolutionize fighter pilot training and increase operational efficiency.

Fighter pilot training is one of the crucial steps in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the air force. Boeing, in collaboration with Red 6, a company specialized in augmented reality, recently achieved a major technological feat by successfully completing the first flight tests of a revolutionary training system. The system uses augmented reality to create a realistic training environment, enabling fighter pilots to train more efficiently and safely than ever before.

Augmented Reality for Fighter Pilot Training:

The augmented reality system developed by Red 6 and Boeing offers pilots the chance to see and interact with virtual elements while flying a real aircraft. It enables pilots to visualize virtual aircraft, targets and threats on the ground and in the air, while feeling the physical constraints of flying their aircraft. This innovative approach aims to provide as realistic a training environment as possible, while minimizing the risks for pilots.

Successful flight tests:

Boeing and Red 6 recently reached an important milestone by successfully completing the first flight tests of this revolutionary system. These tests were carried out on board a TA-4J Skyhawk tactical aircraft, paving the way for the integration of this system on a T-7 advanced trainer aircraft. These test flights demonstrated the effectiveness of the system, opening up new possibilities for fighter pilot training.

A promising collaboration:

Donn Yates, Executive Director of Boeing Air Force Fighters and Trainers Business Development, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. Boeing is the first company to partner with Red 6 to develop advanced training technology of this kind. The success of the ground tests and four flight sorties testifies to the collaborative ability of these two players to rapidly integrate, deliver and test new technologies. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize fighter pilot training for an entire generation.

Less than a year in the making:

It’s impressive that Boeing and Red 6 have made so much progress in less than a year since announcing their agreement to integrate Red 6’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) and Augmented Reality Command and Analytic Data Environment (ARCADE) on Boeing-built military aircraft, such as the T-7 Red Hawk and F-15EX Eagle II.

Red 6’s ambitions:

Red 6 President Thomas “Guns” Bergeson praised the team’s efforts to go from integration in the TA-4J to successful flights in such a short time. He emphasized that Red 6’s goal is to provide a fully synthetic outdoor training environment that can transform the training of future fighter pilots. The combination of the T-7 and ATARS opens the way to a new era in training, which will have a direct impact on the operational readiness and combat capability of fighter pilots.

Impact on Operational Readiness and Lethality:

The adoption of augmented reality in fighter pilot training offers considerable advantages. Firstly, it offers a more realistic training environment, enabling pilots to simulate complex situations and train to respond to threats effectively. This can translate into a significant improvement in operational readiness, as pilots will be better prepared to deal with real-life scenarios.

What’s more, augmented reality minimizes the risks associated with flight training. Pilots can practice in virtual conditions before moving on to real flights, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. This saves valuable time and resources, while keeping pilots safe.

A promising future:

The impact of this technological breakthrough is not limited to fighter pilot training. Red 6 is also working with other partners, including the US Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries, to develop augmented reality training systems. This technology could potentially revolutionize the way air forces around the world prepare their pilots.

What’s more, the use of augmented reality in military training could have wider applications. It could be extended to other areas of military training, such as emergency medical training, aircraft maintenance and complex operations planning. The flexibility of this technology opens the door to numerous possibilities for improving the operational efficiency of armed forces.

The successful completion of the first flight tests of the augmented reality system developed by Boeing and Red 6 represents a major step forward in fighter pilot training. This innovative technology offers a safe, realistic training environment.

Fly a jet fighter is the fighter jet experience specialist.