The acquisition of training systems with an increasing dependency on interoperability with other fielded systems presents new opportunities for the government and contractors. As training systems move from development and production into fielding, they are expected to be interoperable out of the box. Standards and protocols only provide a limited amount of confidence that interoperability is achievable, actual connectivity and testing prior to delivery is preferable to reduce risk. This paper will present a methodology for developing and maintaining a Distributed Systems Engineering Environment (DSEE) for training systems. This simulation based acquisition approach provides a capability to test system-wide concepts that previously were seen as too risky. Successful anecdotes from an existing instance of the USAF Distributed Mission Training (DMT) Development and Test Network (DTN) will be balanced against lessons learned and recommendations for the future. Foundation concepts for acquisition of diverse new training systems such as the US Army's Future Combat Systems, with affordable risk reduction through a DSEE, will be presented. Increased performance of contractors and reduced cost to the government will be discussed.