U.S. Air Force Simulator Division: Sharpening the Warfighter's Teeth

Key Chapter Title List

1. Simulator Division Mission and Vision
2. Training System Acquisition Contracting Tools
3. Air Combat Training System
4. Air Mobility Training System
5. Special Operations Forces and Air Education and Training Command Training Systems
6. International Programs
7. Bomber/Special Mission Training System
8. Fighter/Attack Aircraft Training System
9. Airlift System Training System
10. Tanker System Training System
11. Special Operations Forces Training System
12. Air Education and Training Command Systems

Document Introduction

This report is based on the official document publicly released by the United States Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Simulator Division on September 1, 2025. It aims to systematically elaborate on the division's core role in driving Air Force training transformation, current project progress, and future strategic direction. The report indicates that revolutionary advancements in modeling and simulation technology are driving the U.S. Air Force through a training revolution. Its core objective is to build a premier operational digital twin, delivering real, ready, and lethal capabilities at the speed of relevance, ultimately enhancing lethality and readiness, and sharpening the warfighter's combat capabilities.

The report details the organizational structure and business scope of the Simulator Division. The division is directly led by senior materiel leaders and consists of three core program branches: Air Combat, Air Mobility, and Special Operations Forces & Air Education and Training Command, supported by functions such as International Programs, Analysis & Integration, Logistics, Engineering, Finance, Contracting, and Cybersecurity. Its work directly supports the U.S. Secretary of Defense's priorities: restoring the warrior spirit, rebuilding military capability, and strengthening national deterrence. Specific operations cover over 350 training devices, providing support to multiple units including Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air Mobility Command.

Regarding capability building and project delivery, the report provides detailed explanations by platform system. The Air Combat branch focuses on training systems for bombers, special mission platforms, and fighter/attack aircraft. Key projects include an open architecture solution for F-16 SCARS integration utilizing operational flight program virtualization, the B-1 Reconfigurable Cockpit Procedural Trainer, and the B-52 Mission Employment Trainer series of systems. The Air Mobility branch provides support for over 430 aircrew and maintenance training devices across 7 mobility platforms including the C-130J, C-17, C-5, KC-135, and KC-46, and has successfully deployed a Common Visual Database solution on the C-5 and KC-135 training fleets. The Special Operations Forces & Air Education and Training Command branch creates immersive training environments for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Combat Controllers through Project Jericho and addresses T-38 visual system obsolescence through Project Tanis.

The report emphasizes the effectiveness of technological innovation and real-world application. By advocating for open architecture, non-proprietary solutions, the Simulator Division has accelerated the iteration and integration of training capabilities. Its training systems have played a key role in global operational readiness, for example, being used for mission rehearsal in Operation Midnight Hammer and directly contributing to mission success. Furthermore, the systems have participated in over 8,700 distributed training events, accumulating over 27,500 hours of training. At the international cooperation level, the division's Foreign Military Sales portfolio continues to grow, providing training system development, testing, deployment, and sustainment support to 24 different partner nations.

In summary, this document is not a forward-looking strategic concept but an annual work summary and capability demonstration based on implemented projects and verified results. It clearly indicates that the U.S. Air Force Simulator Division is pragmatically advancing its training modernization process through systematic platform support, cutting-edge technology integration, and extensive international cooperation, aiming to lay a solid training foundation for maintaining air superiority for decades to come.