During February 2000, DERA, a research and technology agency of the UK MoD, conducted the first in a series of simulation trials to investigate the potential of a collective environment for aircrew training. The trial involved simulating a mixed package of air-to-air and air-to-ground manned simulators, with additional friendly forces provided by computer generated forces (CGF) and human role-players. Hostile forces were also provided using air-to-air manned simulators, CGF and human role-players.

The simulated operational environment was designed to be as realistic as possible. Front-line crews manned the simulators, while other military personnel took the roles of the command chain for both friendly and hostile forces. This allowed the simulated missions to be run as they would be in a real operational environment, with full pre-sortie briefings, crew planning, sortie execution and debriefing.

The implementation of the trial infrastructure involved significant development and integration effort, covering aspects such as:

·Credible Computer Generated Forces

·Long-haul secure data and voice communications

·Terrain database generation

· Scenario development and management

· Exercise and technical management systems, including data recording and analysis tools

· Planning, briefing and debriefing systems

· Role-player systems