Written question asked by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Monday, 18 October 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 October 2021 (named day). It was answered by Jeremy Quin (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 October 2021 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Air Force: Training

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the (a) Typhoon, (b) F-35B, (c) AH-64E Apache, (d) E-7 Wedgetail, (e) Land Ceptor/Sky Sabre SAM system will achieve formal linkage into the Gladiator training system.

Answer

Programme Gladiator, the RAF's contribution to the Defence Operational Training Capability (DOTC), will integrate the E-3D Rearcrew Trainer (RCT) from Mar 2022 to provide a transitional capability to E-7A Wedgetail, the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) in spring 2023, the Typhoon Future Synthetic Trainer (TFST) in autumn 2023 and UK F-35B Lightning in 2024.

Following our recent announcement of further investment in Gladiator, work is underway to formalise integration of additional training systems including E-7A Wedgetail, scheduled for spring 2026, as well as Airseeker, Poseidon, Protector, Crowsnest, Guardian and the Maritime Composite Training System (MTCS) over the 2023-2026 timeframe.

While AH-64E Apache and Land Ceptor/Sky Sabre will be computer-generated in the Gladiator Synthetic environment from Initial Operating Capability, there are no funded plans to integrate their respective simulator synthetic training systems; however, options to further expand Gladiator continue to be explored.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 58312
Session: 2021-22
Subjects: Air force Military aircraft Training Guided weapons
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Air Force: Training

Secondary information

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