– Our dream is to connect simulators between different countries, so that you can actually sit in the UK and practice with the F-35 in Norway, and preferably also in the Nordics and Finland for the F-35, says Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen. On Wednesday, he flew the simulator for this fighter type for the first time. It went well. – I didn’t get any less respect for the pilots, says Kristoffersen. Norway’s eight simulators for this type of fighter are at the combat aircraft base on Ørlandet. Now they can have an even bigger role than before. On 1 December, the Air Force started a new training program for fighter pilots, where 40 per cent of the training is carried out in a simulator. Norwegian F-35 with weapons, on its way to Iceland where four aircraft are currently in service for NATO patrolling Iceland’s airspace. Photo: Ole Andreas Vekve / Forsvaret – It is only natural for us that we use them as efficiently as we can. It’s something we do. We are increasing the percentage of training in the simulator. But it is also something our allies do, says Chief of the Norwegian Air Force, Rolf Folland. He believes it is both right and important. For several reasons. The world does not need to know everything Folland points out that part of the training the pilots do can be kept secret if it is added to a simulator. – The simulator quality is so good that we get really relevant training by flying the simulator. Also that there are some of our procedures that we also do not want to make visible to the whole world, and we can do that in the simulator. He believes closer simulator cooperation between Norway and allied countries is something that will happen soon. The simulators in the various countries can be linked together. – It is on the stairs and it is at full speed. We imagine that it will happen within a relatively short time, says Folland. Chief of the Norwegian Air Force, Rolf Folland, at F-35 fighter jets in Ørlandet. Photo: Onar Digernes Aase / the defense The Chief of Defense points out that a lot has been invested in the simulators, and that the eight Norway has are very good. – It is very realistic training. You can connect several people together, and practice things you might otherwise be challenged to do live, says Kristoffersen. The American and British air forces will be important The Chief of the Air Force points out that Norway’s two most important allies for such joint training will be the American US Air Force and the British Royal Air Force. – In addition, of course, we have very good working relationships with our Nordic partners. And with the introduction of the F-35 in both Denmark and Finland, we envision extensive cooperation in that direction as well, says Folland. There will also be an opportunity to practice with both the simulator and flying in the air at the same time. – It is a huge advantage and it is clear that it provides flexibility and an opportunity to put together large forces faster than what we get by having to organize large exercises. Sweden does not have the F-35 but the fighter type Jas Gripen. Norway has close cooperation with the Swedish Air Force. Shall not go beyond the training. The Defense indicates that the war in Ukraine has had no impact on the decision on more flight time in the simulator. But that this is a natural step towards the F-35 being fully operational in Norway from 2025. Folland says the simulators are extremely important for Norway to be ready for war with the new combat aircraft. – The simulators also develop in parallel with the aircraft, so that when we get upgrades to the aircraft and new weapons, we will also test this in the simulators and carry out basic training. On the road to being ready for war with the F-35, the simulator is very important to us, says Folland. Norway has eight simulators worth a total of around NOK one billion. They are all standing here at the combat aircraft base on Ørlandet. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news More flight time in simulators will also be cheaper than flight time in the air. In addition, it will reduce climate emissions. The proportion of flight time in the simulator has been increased from 30 per cent previously. The NATO requirement for the number of hours in the F-35 annually for the pilots is a minimum of 180 hours. This applies to aircraft and simulator together. – Will the pilots get enough flight time in the air? – It will be up to the professionals to assess. It should not be at the expense of safety or how satisfied the pilots are with the training. They also have a say in the team. It should not go beyond the capacity of the pilots, but on the contrary should strengthen and make them even better, says Kristoffersen.
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The Norwegian Defense Forces will connect Norwegian combat aircraft simulators with simulators in other countries – news Trøndelag
