Navy Trains F-35 Pilots To Fly With Uncrewed Wingmen

Why It Matters

Integrating uncrewed wingmen with fifth‑generation fighters enhances mission flexibility and reduces risk in contested airspaces, positioning the Navy ahead in next‑gen combat concepts.

Key Takeaways

• F-35 pilots practiced controlling multiple uncrewed wingmen
• Training occurred in high‑fidelity Joint Simulation Environment
• Tactics focus on crewed‑uncrewed coordination in contested zones
• FY2026 expansion adds E‑2D, Super Hornet, Growler simulations
• New simulation sites will support Navy and Air Force pilots

Pulse Analysis

The Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) represents a leap forward in how the Navy prepares its aviators for the complexities of modern warfare. By recreating high‑density threat environments on a digital range, the JSE allows F‑35 pilots to experiment with tactics that would be too risky or costly to test in live flight. Tablet‑based control of multiple Collaborative Combat Aircraft lets pilots practice simultaneous command and situational awareness, sharpening decision‑making cycles that are essential for fifth‑generation platforms operating at the edge of contested airspace.

Crewed‑uncrewed teaming is a cornerstone of the Department of Defense’s future force structure, promising to multiply sensor coverage, increase survivability, and enable distributed mission execution. The Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft act as force multipliers, providing standoff strike, electronic warfare, or surveillance capabilities while remaining under the pilot’s tactical direction. Simulated exercises have already revealed novel engagement envelopes, such as using uncrewed wingmen to draw enemy fire or to conduct coordinated swarm attacks, thereby preserving the high‑value manned asset. These concepts are being refined in the JSE before they transition to live training, ensuring that doctrine evolves in lockstep with technology.

Looking ahead, the JSE’s planned expansion in fiscal year 2026 will integrate the E‑2D Advanced Hawkeye, F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, and EA‑18G Growler, creating a multi‑platform sandbox for joint operations. Additional facilities at Fallon, Nellis, and Edwards will extend this capability across services, fostering inter‑branch interoperability and standardizing crew‑uncrewed tactics. As the Navy scales up its virtual training footprint, it not only accelerates the adoption of autonomous systems but also reduces operational costs and risk, cementing its edge in the evolving battlespace.