Chief of the Air Staff opens Gladiator
Image courtesy RAF / MoD Crown Copyright 2023 / Shauna Martin RAF
Operating from a new purpose-built facility, Gladiator will be a world-leading synthetic training system which links synthetic training devices (simulators) to a central hub, enabling operators from force elements across the Land, Maritime and Air environments to train safely and securely together. The scale, complexity and security of the training provided by the new system is unparalleled within Europe.
A number of factors impact the UK’s ability to complete all necessary training in the live environment. These include airspace constraints, environmental considerations, cost, and operational security. Gladiator will overcome these limitations by safeguarding highly classified information whilst linking together simulators across the country and beyond.
Air, Land, Maritime, Space and Cyber capabilities will be integrated over coming years, alongside increased connectivity with Allies and Partners, further strengthening Gladiator’s capability to deliver world-class synthetic Multi Domain Integration training.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), ACM Sir Mike Wigston, said: "Gladiator will enable our forces to trial, test and practise their tactics in a secure environment, linked across all operational domains. It is an invaluable training tool for the next generation of warfighters across air, space, land, cyber and sea."
Gladiator will not replace live flying but will complement it enabling each training activity to be completed in the most effective environment. This innovative capability has required significant development and collaboration between the MoD and industry partners
Air Commodore Ian Townsend, Assistant Chief of Staff Combat Air, RAF, said: "Delivering this world-leading, technologically advanced, and innovative Multi Domain Integration capability has required significant development and collaboration between the MoD and industry partners.
"Gladiator will support sustainability initiatives by helping to reduce the environmental footprint of collective training. It will allow for more complex training to occur in a structured setting and reduce the cost of carrying out real life training while helping to reduce carbon emissions."
Synthetic training complements live training opportunities and enables delivery of effective combat forces. Initial integrations are Typhoon, Lightning (F-35), Airseeker (RC-135 Rivet Joint) and the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer, with other platforms scheduled to join in due course.
Personnel from local Lincoln based company Inzpire were on hand to demonstrate Gladiator's capabilities to The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), ACM Sir Mike Wigston. There are connections and capability upgrades planned for Gladiator and Inzpire’s White Force is now busy planning and preparing for the first Gladiator overseas connection, which will take place in the coming weeks as part of Exercise Coalition Virtual Strike. This will demonstrate Gladiator’s ability to enable high-end collective training with both global allies and UK defence colleagues.
Inzpire’s Managing Director, Bren Nolan, said: “We are incredibly proud to be a leading partner of the RAF in the Gladiator programme.
“Our independent, professional White Force will use this exciting capability in the delivery of world-class collective training. The future is really exciting, and I look forward to seeing the planned capability upgrades which will enhance further the immersive, multi-domain training.
“Everything our Inzpire White Force is working towards is centred on the drive to deliver the next generation air force, for which Gladiator is key.”
Dan Simmons, Head of Collective Training and Services at Inzpire, said: “Our White Force has worked diligently to put the Gladiator system through its paces in recent operational testing.
"This is just the start and Inzpire looks forward to helping develop the capability to provide an operationally-representative, world-leading synthetic collective training experience.
“Congratulations to all involved in the Gladiator programme on this important milestone achievement.”
