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Summary
Pilots from an unspecified PLA Air Force aviation unit conducted LVC (live, virtual, and constructive) integrated flight training, flying J-16 fighters in live sorties while a second group simultaneously flew virtual aircraft from a ground simulation center, with both elements coordinating in force-on-force scenarios. The article documents the Air Force's operational use of LVC architecture to link simulators with live flights in real time — a training methodology the U.S. and allied air forces have pursued for years to reduce cost and increase repetition of complex tactical scenarios. The unit, location, and exercise scale are not identified, limiting what can be inferred about how broadly this capability has been fielded across PLAAF aviation brigades.
First reported instance of PLA Air Force J-16 units conducting integrated live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training linking airborne aircraft with ground simulation systems in a force-on-force configuration, indicating a meaningful advance in synthetic training environment capability.
Translation
Pilots assigned to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force recently conducted flight training in live, virtual and constructive (LVC) environment. Multiple J-16 fighter jets took off in sequence and headed toward the target airspace to conduct tactical training. Meanwhile, at the ground simulation training center, another group of pilots simultaneously operated virtual fighter jets to "enter the battlefield," coordinating with the aircraft in flight in a force-on-force training. By integrating aircraft simulation systems with live flight training, the pilots' combat capabilities were effectively enhanced. (Video Editor: Zhang Jinwen)
Original text
Pilots assigned to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force recently conducted flight training in live, virtual and constructive (LVC) environment. Multiple J-16 fighter jets took off in sequence and headed toward the target airspace to conduct tactical training. Meanwhile, at the ground simulation training center, another group of pilots simultaneously operated virtual fighter jets to "enter the battlefield," coordinating with the aircraft in flight in a force-on-force training. By integrating aircraft simulation systems with live flight training, the pilots' combat capabilities were effectively enhanced. (Video Editor: Zhang Jinwen)