RAF using inflatable SAM sites for pilot training

The Royal Air Force has introduced a new ground-based threat simulation capability using inflatable replica surface-to-air missile systems and electronic emitters to prepare combat pilots for modern air defence environments.

The system, known as Sting and delivered by long-term RAF training partner Draken, creates simulated enemy air defences for pilots flying fourth and fifth generation aircraft to train against. Imagery released alongside the announcement shows a large inflatable replica of a Buk-style surface-to-air missile system deployed on open ground near Saltburn by the Sea, close to Teesside, where a demonstration was recently held attended by senior RAF commanders.

According to Draken, each Sting system is rapidly deployable and can replicate an individual SAM site, with threat-representative options for all modern-day surface-to-air missile systems. The system includes multiple threat emitters, rotators and surrogate platforms, accurately replicating adversary systems including the ability to support suppression of enemy air defences training.

The Sting system integrates with Draken’s Phantom Sky range control system, allowing simulated air defences to respond and react in real time rather than presenting a static threat. Draken CEO Dr Nic Anderson said the system “creates a representative threat environment that can be targeted, reacted to and assessed in real time,” adding that it “is designed for the rapid integration of new technology to combine realism with affordability.”

Air Commodore Steve Berry, Commandant of the RAF’s Air and Space Warfare Centre, said the introduction of the 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.”

The capability sits within the RAF’s Interim Medium Speed Operational Readiness Training Service contract, which provides integrated multi-domain adversary training to the RAF and allied nations. Sting forms part of Draken’s broader Red Force adversary training model, which the company describes as a full adversary training ecosystem combining adversary air, electronic warfare, surface threats, uncrewed systems and range control.

The ability to rapidly reconfigure the system enables versatile replication of a range of modern SAM systems, and multiple networked systems can be deployed in the same training environment to accurately reflect a modern integrated air defence network.