F-16 fighter jets are a key asset that the Ukrainian military seeks to acquire for an effective counteroffensive. However, due to existing constraints, Ukraine has received flight simulators from the Czech Republic instead. This was announced by the official spokesperson from the Office of the Ukrainian President, who explained how this training equipment will benefit the aviation personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The flight simulators are designed to teach Ukrainian pilots how to operate an American fighter jet without having access to the actual aircraft. The representatives from the president’s office stated that this advanced technology will allow pilots to master all features of the modern air model, especially its remarkable combat capabilities.
President Volodymyr Zelensky personally tested the simulator in a simulated flight during a demonstration of the devices. However, out of the 30 Ukrainian pilots who have trained on the simulator, only 8 have met the required standards. The main reason for this low performance is that most of the Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots do not speak English well.
Czech flight simulators The exact type of flight simulators that the Czech Republic has provided to Ukraine is not known, but it is important to note that the Czech Republic has a long and distinguished history in flight simulator technology, as reported by BulgarianMilitary.com. The country is known for constantly improving and developing these systems.
For example, in April we reported on the new F-15E fighter simulator that was developed by Vrgineers and Razbam Simulations. The company’s press release claimed that the simulator could potentially replace live training. The simulator’s immersive capability, achieved with the help of 4K displays, is a notable feature.
The Ukrainian military aims to procure F-16 fighter jets, a vital asset for a successful counteroffensive. However, due to current limitations, Ukraine has instead obtained flight simulators from the Czech Republic. This was disclosed by the official spokesperson from the Office of the Ukrainian President, who outlined how this training equipment will assist the aviation staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
President Volodymyr Zelensky personally experienced the simulator in a simulated flight during a presentation of the devices. However, only 8 out of the 30 Ukrainian pilots who have trained on the simulator have achieved the required standards. The main obstacle for this poor performance is that most of the Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots have low English proficiency.
Czech flight simulators The specific type of flight simulators that the Czech Republic has supplied to Ukraine is not revealed, but it is noteworthy that the Czech Republic has a long and distinguished tradition in flight simulator technology, as reported by BulgarianMilitary.com. The country is renowned for continuously enhancing and advancing these systems.
The manufacturer’s vision is to ensure universal accessibility to this simulator for all pilots. They anticipate that this goal can be accomplished by 2030. The simulator’s compact size, lightweight, and portability are attributes that could allow both current and future F-15 pilots to train from their homes. All they would need to do is connect the simulator interface to the centralized synthetic training environment through a secure VPN.
Engineers envision their product as a user-friendly, practical tool that could inspire anyone to become an F-15 pilot. However, F-15E experts and trainers warn that a simulator may not be able to reproduce the sensation of speed.
Nevertheless, Vrgineers remains ambitious, aiming to develop a 1:1 learning system, or, in other words, integrate their simulator into the future mixed reality (MR) learning system. They plan to reveal this integration to the public later this year.
The F-15E model also incorporates the innovative TALON AI, a co-pilot AI that can execute tactical tasks such as target lock-on and navigation.
Potential F-16 suppliers Shortly after Washington indicated it would not hinder the re-export of F-16 fighters from its allies to Ukraine, potential suppliers emerged. Babak Taghvaee, a reputable author, historian, and journalist, identified Denmark and the Netherlands as the main sources, planning to provide Ukraine with 45 F-16 fighters.
Taghvaee’s revelations, shared via his personal profile, stated that these 45 fighter jets are meant to replace the Ukrainian MiG-29s lost since the start of the Russian invasion. The deal, according to Taghvaee’s information, also involves a third party – Belgium. Belgium’s role, according to the author, will be to refurbish and upgrade the aircraft before they are officially delivered to Ukraine.
