Unmanned aircraft system simulation
UAS simulation trains operators without the risks of real flight.
Unmanned aircraft system simulation trains operators to control a drone or its payload from a ground station. It recreates flight and the surrounding environment artificially, using equations that govern how an aircraft flies, how it responds to control inputs, how other onboard systems affect it, and how outside conditions—like air density, turbulence, wind shear, clouds, and precipitation—impact it. The key difference from manned simulation is that no pilot is inside the training device.
Manned simulators vary in hardware and software based on the needed realism, from simple laptop-based part-task trainers to replica cockpits and full-motion systems. The use of unmanned systems by defense forces has grown sharply over the past decade and is expected to keep expanding. Civilian applications are also increasing, including pipeline and hydroelectric inspections, forest fire surveillance, natural resource observation, and disaster assessment. This growth drives demand for skilled UAS pilots, sensor operators, and mission commanders.
A UAV—also called a drone or, by ICAO, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft—flies without a human aboard, controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or remotely by a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle. Launch and recovery are typically automatic or handled by an external operator. Early UAVs were simple remotely piloted craft, but autonomous control is now common. A UAS includes the UAV itself plus its launch, recovery, and control hardware and software. UAVs are mainly used for military and special operations, with a small but growing role in civil work like policing, firefighting, and security surveillance. They are often chosen for missions considered too dull, dirty, or dangerous for manned aircraft.
UAS simulation training lets operators practice in a realistic virtual environment without the risks or limits of real flight. It includes simulated UAVs (both helicopter and fixed-wing), training with the actual ground station using real autopilot data, and a 3D photo-textured virtual world that replicates mission conditions. Payload simulation generates real-time video in visible and infrared modes, fed to the actual video station. Other features include a multilingual interface, VCR-style replay controls, simulated weather, display options for flight panels and UAV trajectories, and telemetry data readouts.
- Air force training duration
- three and a half months
- Air force primary uas training bases
- Holloman AFB, NM; Cannon AFB, NM; Ellsworth AFB, SD; Whiteman AFB, MO
- Air force initial flight training locati
- Pueblo, CO
- Army master trainer instruction location
- Ft. Benning, GA
- Army larger uas training location
- Fort Huachuca, AZ
- Navy uas training location
- Ft. Huachuca, AZ or Patuxent River, MD
- Marine corps basic school training locat
- Quantico, VA
Lore & Background
UAS simulation training allows UAV operators to train in real-time in a virtual environment that is realistic and accurate, but without the risks and constraints of a real flight. The system includes simulated UAVs for both helicopter and fixed-wing types, training with the actual ground station using real data generated by the actual UAV autopilot, and a 3D virtual world with photo textures. Payload simulation generates real-time video in visible and IR modes, piped to the actual video station. Features include a multilingual interface, VCR-type controls, simulated weather functions, and display of telemetry data. The system combines an open architecture with commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and software, providing a platform-agnostic training system that optimizes operational readiness while minimizing the use of live assets.
Reader's Guide
The significance of UAS simulation lies in its ability to meet the growing need for highly skilled UAS pilots, sensor operators, and mission commanders as the use of unmanned systems by defense forces globally has grown substantially and is expected to continue growing. In the United States Armed Forces, simulation is heavily used: potential Air Force UAS pilots and sensor operators attend three and a half months of specialized training courses, most of which is simulated, using the same manual control stick, rudder system, and monitor system as the live simulator. Army operators for larger UAS such as the Shadow and Gray Eagle train at Fort Huachuca, AZ, with a combination of live and simulated training that is easily simulated because it is almost the same experience as live training in a Ground Control Station. The Navy, with the advancement and economy of simulators, is beginning to train enlisted personnel with flight experience to become operators, using a mainly simulator-based five-week program. UAS simulation also prepares the integrated mission team—pilot, payload specialist, and commanding officer—in platform operating procedures, data interpretation and analysis, and team interaction.
Did You Know?
- UAS simulation includes training on both helicopter and fixed-wing UAVs.
- The system uses real data generated by the actual UAV autopilot to provide extremely realistic simulation.
- Payload simulation generates real-time video in both visible and IR modes.
- The Air Force's primary UAS training bases include Holloman AFB, Cannon AFB, Ellsworth AFB, and Whiteman AFB.
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