F-35 faces training limitations as Navy pushes live-virtual-constructive innovation

The Navy’s integration of live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training has transformed pilot preparation, but the F-35 remains sidelined from critical advancements, reports Defense One’s Meghann Myers. While other aircraft like the F/A-18 and EA-18G fully engage with synthetic scenarios during training, the F-35 cannot “see” virtual injects, hindering its ability to participate in complex simulations.

LVC training allows aviators to engage with a mix of real, virtual, and computer-generated enemies, simulating high-end threats like advanced missile systems and stealth fighters. This innovation has already generated more than 20,000 “constructive” sorties for Navy, providing cost-effective and realistic opposition forces—single operational flight by one aircraft, from takeoff to landing. However, the F-35’s advanced systems, designed for high-speed, stealth, and sensor capabilities, require expansive ranges and specialized environments that traditional training facilities cannot fully accommodate.

To bridge this gap, Navy is deploying temporary F-35 simulators at Naval Air Station Fallon in early 2025, with more advanced Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) simulators expected by late 2025. These high-fidelity systems offer improved realism to allow for pilot training pilots against cutting-edge threats while addressing F-35’s unique requirements.