The Royal Air Force has introduced a major new training capability designed to better prepare frontline pilots for the air defence threats they could face in conflict.
The new system, known as Sting, creates highly realistic simulated enemy air defences for RAF pilots to train against, replicating the kind of sophisticated surface-to-air missile systems they could encounter on operations. Delivered by long-term RAF training partner Draken, it is designed to give combat pilots the most realistic preparation possible, at a cost that represents strong value for the taxpayer.
The technology works by generating realistic threat signals that challenge the advanced sensors on modern fighter aircraft, allowing pilots flying 4th and 5th generation platforms to practice identifying, reacting to, and defeating enemy air defences in a live environment. A demonstration of the system was recently held at Saltburn by the Sea, near Teesside, attended by senior RAF commanders.
"The introduction of this capability marks a significant step in the RAF's ability to respond to current and evolving threats, enabling our Combat Air Force crews to train against a credible adversary."
Air Commodore Steve Berry
Commandant of the RAF's Air and Space Warfare Centre
The Sting system integrates with Draken's Phantom Sky range control system, which allows the simulated air defences to respond and react in real time, creating a dynamic training environment rather than a static one. This means every asset involved in a training exercise can rehearse its role under realistic pressure.
"Draken has delivered this surface threat capability in a very short timescale to meet the RAF's training requirement. Phantom Sky creates a representative threat environment that can be targeted, reacted to and assessed in real time, and it is designed for the rapid integration of new technology to combine realism with affordability."
Dr Nic Anderson
Draken CEO
The capability forms part of the RAF's Interim Medium Speed Operational Readiness Training Service (IMSORTS) contract, which provides integrated, multi-domain adversary training to the RAF and allied nations.
