US airmen from Dyess Air Force Base have supported an evaluation of the Advanced Radar Threat System Variant 2 that will help train fifth-generation fighter pilots by simulating enemy surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery systems.
While still in the development stage, the testing conducted on the ARTS V2 is critical to the system’s progress toward fielding.
The demonstration at Snyder ESS assessed the search, acquisition, targeting and tracking capabilities of the ARTS V2 mobile threat training system. The system used an internal test and evaluation method to test onboard systems followed by a test in which the operators used targets of opportunity to further evaluate the effectiveness.
“Having this new training system is absolutely necessary because having a new generation emitter enables us to keep pace with the advances in technology by ourselves and our adversaries,” said Maj. Patrick Burke, 7th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations. “The Snyder training site allows for aircrew to become familiar with how to identify and defeat threats while in a training environment. This way the crews will be more prepared in the event that these threats are encountered in a combat environment.”
The primary customers of this site include aircrew who operate the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, C-130J Super Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II and E-3 Sentry aircraft.
The site simulates enemy surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery systems for training purposes.
“This training system is state-of-the-art with optical and built-in debrief capabilities,” said David Garza, 7th OSS Snyder ESS range manager. “This will also add to the current robust electronic warfare threat density to provide a more realistic enemy Integrated Air Defense and Counter Air Defense System.”
The location of the range enables each of the airframes to train on advanced threats at a central location.
“As our adversaries continue to upgrade their equipment and develop new and emerging systems to counter our Air Force, it’s imperative that the aircrew receives training that can better replicate what we would see in an actual combat environment,” Burke said.
ARTS V2 is being developed by Lockheed Martin.
