Third Anniversary Ahead: USAFA’s Multi-Domain Lab Continues Successful Warfighter Education with the PLEXSYS Modeling & Simulation Ecosystem

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. (July 17, 2024) – The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) proudly highlights the latest advancements of its cutting-edge Multi-Domain Laboratory (MDL), a versatile and immersive learning facility designed to simulate all combat domains. Since its opening on September 17, 2021, the MDL has significantly enhanced future warfighter education with contributions from industry leaders, including PLEXSYS Interface Products, Inc.

MDL Overview and Purpose

The MDL is a state-of-the-art, 9000+ square foot facility featuring two modular suites. Each suite includes:

• Joint All-Domain Operations Center (JADOC): 24 strategic/operational workstations replicating an Air Operations Center (AOC) and other command centers. 
• Immersive Learning Devices (ILDs): 12 simulators for a variety of platforms, including aircraft, maritime, land, and space vehicles, with first-person shooter views.
• Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Stations: Three stations for both pilot and sensor operator positions.
• Command & Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Stations: Six stations simulating platforms like AWACS.

“The MDL's primary goal is to provide rich, contemporary, immersive learning experiences, preparing USAF/USSF 2nd Lieutenants with a robust understanding of joint, multi-domain combat planning, execution, and assessment,” said Christopher “Fuego” Gausepohl, Lt Col, USAF. “Graduates enter their specialized career fields with a comprehensive knowledge foundation of ‘how it all fits together.’”

Current Operations and Educational Initiatives

The MDL supports a modular and scalable approach to learning, accommodating a variety of users and scenarios throughout the day. Highlights of current operations include:

• Operation Northern Eclipse: The primary scenario focusing on INDOPACOM coalition Agile-Combat-Employment against near-peer Anti-Access/Area-Denial threats, engaging over 1600 cadets annually.
• Cadet Wing Culmination Exercise (CULEX): Involving 250 upper-class cadets in air-space-cyber leadership training.
• Basic Cadet Training and Recognition: Engaging over 1100 cadets each year.
• Research Collaborations: Partnerships with RAND for Indo-Pacific studies and AI Ethical Wingman concepts through Furhat Robotics, and research for operations in the information environment.
• Collaborations with AFROTC and OTS: Immersive short courses and integration of MDL-Deployable Kits at OTS, enhancing training for over 3000 Officer Trainees annually.

Joint Learning Opportunities

The MDL offers extensive collaborative learning opportunities with military education stakeholders, including:

• Collaborative Courses: Joint courses involving remote and MDL-linked scenarios for cadets, midshipmen, and officer trainees.
• Collaborative Exercises/Competitions: Inter-service teams developing and executing operations in competitive scenarios.
• Collaborative Research: Joint research projects exploring new technologies and strategies, with mission fly-outs and concept testing in MDL scenarios.

Participation Opportunities

The MDL will soon offer opportunities to integrate and interact from off-site locations using a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) communications protocol through ASCOT. 

This opportunity brings together critical concepts of C2ISR, multi-domain battle simulation, Joint operations, Agile combat employment and allows the user to visualize how Space, Air, Sea and Land battlespaces interact in real-time, preparing students and military members for conflicts of the future.

Contribution of PLEXSYS Interface Products, Inc.

Salient CRGT, now part of Government CIO, completed the MDL design and delivery, with PLEXSYS Interface Products, Inc. playing a crucial role as a subcontractor. PLEXSYS contributed to creating fully integrated Joint All-Domain Operations Centers (JADOCs), Flight Bays, and RPA flight rooms. This collaboration resulted in a sophisticated, interconnected training environment, enhancing decision-making processes and demonstrating the comprehensive warfighting capabilities of the USAFA MDL. PLEXSYS is proud to work alongside its industry partners, ZedaSoft, Inc. and MVR Simulations.