Navy F-35 pilots are training to operate drones using touchscreen tablets

A Virtual Combat Laboratory

The Joint Simulation Environment is much more than just a flight simulator. It is a state-of-the-art digital testing and training environment that replicates realistic combat scenarios in a virtual setting. Built by NAWCAD engineers, the JSE combines physical cockpit simulators, advanced simulation software, and immersive hemispheric displays. Pilots can train and test systems in a safe, controlled environment that replicates extreme combat conditions that would be too dangerous or costly to simulate in real-world conditions. The JSE allows pilots to fly more sorties in a single week than they could at outdoor flight training ranges in an entire year, representing a massive acceleration in the pace of training.

The JSE’s ability to simulate complex and realistic scenarios is essential for developing new tactics that incorporate Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Pilots can practice managing multiple drones simultaneously while facing sophisticated threats, test different tactical configurations, and refine their procedures without risk. The JSE’s virtual environment faithfully replicates the characteristics of various aircraft, weather effects, enemy threats, and even electronic jamming. This ability to simulate extreme combat conditions allows pilots to gain operational experience that would otherwise have required years of training under real-world conditions. It is a major strategic asset that gives U.S. forces a significant advantage in developing new combat capabilities.

I am deeply impressed by the sophistication of the Joint Simulation Environment and by what it represents for the future of military training. What strikes me in particular is how this system accelerates the development and learning of new tactics. In the past, it took years to develop, test, and validate new combat procedures. Today, thanks to environments like the JSE, this process can be compressed into a few months, or even a few weeks. This acceleration has profound implications for military competition. Countries that invest in these advanced simulation capabilities will have a decisive advantage in developing new tactical doctrines. I can’t help but think that the JSE represents the future of military training, where the line between the real and the virtual is becoming increasingly blurred.

A Constantly Expanding Platform

The Joint Simulation Environment continues to grow and evolve. NAWCAD officials plan to add new aircraft and weapons systems to their training center during fiscal year 2026. Among the expected additions are the EA-18G Growler, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. This expansion will enable integrated training and testing involving a wider variety of platforms, thereby increasing the complexity and realism of training scenarios. The integration of these additional aircraft will enable the development of sophisticated multi-platform tactics in which different types of aircraft work together, each leveraging its unique capabilities.

The JSE hosts dozens of squadrons and hundreds of pilots each year, fostering joint and international collaboration in advanced air combat training. The JSE is expanding with additional Navy and Air Force facilities under development at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nellis Air Force Base, and Edwards Air Force Base to train tactical pilots. This geographic expansion will allow a greater number of pilots to access these state-of-the-art training capabilities, thereby accelerating the adoption of new tactics across the U.S. Armed Forces. The distribution of JSE facilities will also enable the creation of training scenarios involving geographically dispersed participants, simulating large-scale real-world operations.

I am struck by the ambition and scope of this expansion of the Joint Simulation Environment. What fascinates me is the strategic vision underlying this development: to create a global network of interconnected simulations capable of replicating large-scale military operations. This thoughtful and planned approach contrasts with what I have observed in other technological fields, where expansion often occurs in a more chaotic manner. I see in this a deep understanding of the importance of training and tactical development as a factor in military superiority. Investing in this simulation infrastructure represents a bet on the future—a bet that the quality of training and the sophistication of tactics will be key determinants of military superiority. This approach deserves to be highlighted and analyzed in detail, as it could well set the standards for military training for decades to come.

A New Era in Tactics

The successful integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the F-35 Lightning II marks the beginning of a new era in aerial combat. This demonstration proves that human-machine teaming concepts are technically mature and tactically viable. Pilots can now control multiple autonomous drones from their cockpits, transforming a single aircraft into a multi-capability combat force. This expansion of individual capabilities has profound strategic implications, enabling the execution of missions that previously required multiple aircraft and crews. The tactical implications are immense: expanded reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses, multiple precision strikes, and operations of unprecedented complexity.

The recent training at the JSE is just the beginning of a broader process of integrating autonomous systems into air operations. The lessons learned during these exercises will be used to refine tactics, improve human-machine interfaces, and develop new operational procedures. Pilots will need to learn to manage not only their own aircraft but also a squadron of drones, requiring new skills and a new understanding of air warfare. This evolution will require an adaptation of training programs and tactical doctrines, but the promise in terms of operational effectiveness is immense. Future fighter pilots will be as much commanders of hybrid squadrons as they are traditional pilots.

I am captivated by this transformation of the fighter pilot’s profession. What fascinates me is how this evolution is fundamentally changing the very nature of air combat. An F-35 pilot is no longer simply the operator of a sophisticated aircraft; he or she becomes the leader of a small, autonomous air combat force. This shift in role has profound implications for training, recruitment, and even the psychology of pilots. I wonder how this evolution will be perceived by the new generation of pilots, who have grown up with digital technologies and touchscreen interfaces. Will they be more comfortable with these new command paradigms? Or will this increased complexity create new pressures and demands? What I know for certain is that this revolution will redefine what it means to be a fighter pilot in the 21st century.

Strategic Implications

The strategic implications of integrating Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the F-35 are considerable. This capability allows U.S. forces to project increased firepower and surveillance with less risk to personnel. Drones can be deployed into high-risk environments to carry out dangerous missions, minimizing human pilots’ exposure to enemy threats. This reduction in human risk has significant moral and political implications, allowing for the use of military force with fewer tragic consequences for crews. Furthermore, the multiplication of individual capabilities enables operational economies of scale, accomplishing more with fewer manned platforms.

The integration of UCAVs with the F-35 also represents a scalable response to emerging threats in modern contested environments. Faced with increasingly sophisticated air defense systems and adversaries equipped with advanced technologies, U.S. forces must develop new tactical and technical approaches. The use of autonomous drones as loyal wingmen offers a new tactical dimension, allowing for the dispersal of capabilities, the creation of complex decoys, and attacks from multiple angles. This hybrid approach combines the F-35’s stealth and advanced sensors with the flexibility and reusability of autonomous drones, creating a versatile combat force that is difficult to counter.

I am deeply concerned about the strategic implications of this technological development. What strikes me is how this capability could alter the balance of power in contested conflict zones. Countries that master these human-machine teaming tactics will have a significant advantage over their adversaries, capable of projecting military power more effectively and with less risk. However, I am also concerned about the ethical and political implications of this reduction in human risk. If war becomes less risky for human operators, will it be used more frequently or more readily? Could the reduction in human consequences lead to a greater propensity to use military force? These are difficult but essential questions we must ask ourselves in the face of rapidly evolving military technologies.

The Critical Human-Machine Interface

One of the major challenges in integrating Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the F-35 is creating an effective and ergonomic human-machine interface. Pilots must be able to control multiple autonomous drones without being overwhelmed by the volume of available information. The touchscreen tablet used in recent training represents a pragmatic solution to this challenge, offering a familiar and intuitive interface. However, future system developments will likely require even more sophisticated interfaces, possibly incorporating voice commands, augmented head-up displays, and AI-based decision-support systems. The goal is to allow pilots to focus on strategic decision-making rather than on the technical management of the drones.

Managing pilots’ cognitive load is a critical challenge. Controlling multiple drones simultaneously while flying a fifth-generation fighter jet requires exceptional multitasking abilities. Designers must strike the right balance between drone autonomy and human control, allowing machines to handle routine and complex tasks while leaving critical decisions in the pilots’ hands. The interface must present information clearly and in a prioritized manner, highlighting the elements most important to the current mission. This is a challenge in ergonomics and system design that will continue to evolve alongside technological advancements and pilot feedback.

I am fascinated by the challenge of creating effective human-machine interfaces for these complex systems. What strikes me is the crucial importance of ergonomics in the success or failure of these technologies. A poorly designed interface can render even the most sophisticated systems unusable in real combat situations. I think about the pressure and stress pilots face during combat missions, and I wonder how they will be able to handle the added complexity of controlling multiple drones simultaneously. This is where I see the importance of the pragmatic approach taken with touchscreen tablets: using familiar technologies to reduce the learning curve and cognitive load. This is an important lesson for the development of military technologies: simplicity and usability must be top priorities.

Cybersecurity and Communications

Secure communications between the F-35 and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft pose a major technical and operational challenge. The drones must be capable of receiving commands and transmitting data in real time, even in contested environments with threats of electronic warfare and cyberattacks. The communications architecture must be resilient, redundant, and capable of adapting to interference and jamming attempts. Transmitted data must be encrypted and authenticated to prevent its interception or manipulation by adversaries. This is a critical cybersecurity challenge, as a compromise of communications could have catastrophic consequences on the battlefield.

The autonomy of drones also raises significant security concerns. Collaborative Combat Aircraft must be capable of operating autonomously in the event of a loss of communication with the F-35, executing predefined procedures or returning to their base. This fallback autonomy is essential to prevent drones from becoming attack vectors or being captured by adversaries. Security protocols must also prevent scenarios involving unexpected or dangerous behavior by autonomous systems, ensuring that the drones remain under the effective control of U.S. forces at all times, even in the event of a technical failure. This is a complex set of technical and operational challenges that require meticulous planning and system redundancy.

I am deeply concerned about the cybersecurity challenges posed by these interconnected systems. What worries me is the enormous attack surface created by the integration of multiple autonomous systems with combat aircraft. Every communication link and every software interface represents a potential vulnerability that adversaries could exploit. In an environment where cyber warfare is becoming as important as conventional warfare, these vulnerabilities pose serious risks. I’m thinking of worst-case scenarios where an adversary could take control of autonomous drones or use them against U.S. forces themselves. That’s when I realize the critical importance of cybersecurity as a fundamental component of these systems—not as an afterthought. Security must be built in from the design phase, not added as an afterthought.

An Irreversible Transformation

The successful integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the F-35 Lightning II marks a turning point in the history of aerial combat. This demonstration proves that human-machine teaming concepts have become an operational reality, paving the way for a new generation of tactics and capabilities. Pilots can now control multiple autonomous drones from their cockpits, transforming a single aircraft into a multi-capability combat force. This transformation is not an incremental evolution; it is a revolution in the way air warfare is conducted. The tactical, operational, and strategic implications are profound and far-reaching, redefining the parameters of air combat for decades to come.

Recent training in the Joint Simulation Environment is just the beginning of a broader process of integrating and expanding autonomous capabilities into air operations. The lessons learned will be used to refine tactics, improve technologies, and develop new operational doctrines. The systems will continue to evolve, becoming more autonomous, more intelligent, and more integrated. Pilots will continue to adapt their skills and tactical approaches to take full advantage of these new capabilities. One thing is certain: the era of fighter jets operating alone is over. The future belongs to hybrid forces where humans and machines work together symbiotically to accomplish missions of unprecedented complexity.

When I look at this evolution, I am struck by how quickly we have moved from concept to operational reality. Just a few years ago, the idea of controlling drones from a fifth-generation fighter was the stuff of science fiction. Today, it is a reality that will redefine aerial warfare. What both fascinates and worries me is the speed of this transformation. Technologies are evolving faster than our ability to understand all their implications. We are on the cusp of a new era of combat, an era where the line between human and machine is becoming increasingly blurred. I feel intense excitement about the possibilities, but also a certain anxiety about the challenges this evolution presents. One thing is certain: the future is here, and it is more complex and more fascinating than we ever imagined.