The Air Force has integrated fifth- and fourth-generation fighters using virtual simulations.
Virtual F-22s flown by pilots in simulators teamed up with real F-16s in the air, according to an announcement by Northrop Grumman, which provided the LVC Experimentation, Integration and Operations Suite (LEXIOS) system that enabled the collaboration.
"As part of Distant Frontier training at the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Northrop Grumman integrated two virtual F-22 Raptor fifth-generation fighters to fly and train alongside four live fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcons," Northrop Grumman said.
The virtual F-22s were flown by pilots in simulators at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. The F-16s were flown by the 80th Fighter Squadron, which is normally based at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.
