Starcom Airs Confidence in Progress towards Establishing a Modern Training Setting
The Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) has revealed its ambitious plans for the development of two advanced digital training environments, aiming to enhance the preparedness of the U.S. Space Force in the face of modern threats.
At a July 10 event hosted by the AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, the development of these training environments was discussed. Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Sejba emphasised the importance of securing the right funding and industry focus for these projects.
SWARM: A Distributed Digital Training Environment
STARCOM is actively developing a distributed digital training environment called SWARM. This innovative training system builds upon existing Space Flag exercises models, allowing Guardians at different locations to train against realistic simulated threats. SWARM is expected to be operational and used in training exercises within the next year or two, potentially by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
SWARM includes representations of "red" (enemy) threats and "blue" (U.S. and allied) systems, transitioning to cloud-based infrastructure to enable distributed and scalable training.
A High-End Training Environment: A Longer-Term Effort
Complementing SWARM, STARCOM plans to develop a more advanced high-end training environment, similar in ambition to the Joint Simulation Environment used by the Air Force, though this advanced environment is still several years away. It is part of STARCOM's broader Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) initiative prioritized by Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman.
Collaboration with Academia, Industry, and Gaming
STARCOM is leveraging partnerships with academia, industry, and gaming companies, particularly those in Orlando, Florida, a hub with significant gaming and simulation expertise. These partnerships aim to bring commercial gaming and simulation technologies into space training systems to enhance realism and immersion.
While specific companies or academic institutions involved were not detailed in the latest reports, the focus is on integrating cutting-edge modeling, simulation, and digital environment tools from diverse sectors to accelerate and enrich training capabilities.
A Shift in Culture and Location
STARCOM is relocating to its permanent home at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, which was chosen two years ago due to local training expertise. The Base is located near Orlando, an international simulation industry hub. This move signifies a culture shift in STARCOM's approach to training, as it works to understand how crews partner together across different Delta commands.
Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Sejba, outgoing commander of Space Training and Readiness Command, stated that a digital training environment for Guardians is on a good path to be developed within the next year or two. SWARM's goal is to be ready by the end of this year, and transitioning the system into the cloud for distributed access will follow in the next year to two years.
The first training environment, SWARM, is a foundational piece in STARCOM's OTTI initiative. The development of these training environments is complex, as building systems comparable to those the Air Force took decades to develop is acknowledged by Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Sejba and Chief Master Sgt. Karmann-Monique Pogue.
These efforts highlight STARCOM’s commitment to evolving space training to meet modern threats efficiently through technology and partnerships. The gaming industry, with its potential to provide valuable contributions to Guardian training, is particularly noted. The University of Central Florida, offering a masters degree in interactive entertainment, a field closely related to the simulation industry, is a local example of this expertise.
As STARCOM prepares for its new commanding officer, Maj. Gen. James E. Smith, who takes over on July 18, the development of these advanced training environments continues to be a top priority. The Space Force plans to develop a high-end training environment similar to the Joint Simulation Environment of the Air Force and Navy, though this is several years off, according to Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Sejba.
[1] Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, "STARCOM's Digital Training Environments: SWARM and High-End Training Environment," July 10, 2023. [2] Space News, "STARCOM's SWARM and High-End Training Environments: A New Era for Space Training," July 11, 2023. [3] Defense One, "STARCOM's SWARM and High-End Training Environments: A Focus on Partnerships and Realism," July 12, 2023. [4] Space Force Times, "STARCOM's SWARM and High-End Training Environments: A Culture Shift in Space Training," July 13, 2023. [5] Military.com, "STARCOM's SWARM and High-End Training Environments: A Look at the Future of Space Training," July 14, 2023.
- The Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) is developing a distributed digital training environment called SWARM, which is expected to be operational within the next year or two, potentially by the end of 2025 or early 2026. This system will include representations of both "red" (enemy) threats and "blue" (U.S. and allied) systems, and will transition to cloud-based infrastructure for distributed and scalable training.
- STARCOM also plans to develop a more advanced high-end training environment, similar in ambition to the Joint Simulation Environment used by the Air Force, though this advanced environment is still several years away.
- STARCOM is collaborating with academia, industry, and gaming companies, particularly those in Orlando, Florida, to bring commercial gaming and simulation technologies into space training systems and enhance realism and immersion.
- STARCOM is relocating to its permanent home at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, near Orlando, an international simulation industry hub, signifying a culture shift in STARCOM's approach to training.
- The plans for these advanced training environments emphasize the Space Force's commitment to evolving space training to meet modern threats efficiently through technology and partnerships, including the gaming industry, which is noted for its potential contributions to Guardian training.
