Lockheed Martin Links 16 F-35 Simulators Across Four Bases

Lockheed Martin successfully linked 16 F-35 Lightning II full mission simulators across four military installations during a two-hour multidomain combat rehearsal announced on September 21, 2026. The virtual exercise integrated U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy crews, demonstrating the technical viability of large-scale distributed simulator networks for complex tactical training.

In a press release detailing the event, Lockheed Martin confirmed the simulation connected five geographically separated bases in total. The network allowed participating units to maintain command-and-control and situational awareness without the logistical footprint or financial costs associated with a live-flight exercise.

Distributed network architecture

The distributed network connected Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, MCAS Miramar, MCAS Iwakuni, and Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, which hosted the 16 F-35 simulators. A fifth installation, NAS Oceana, integrated F/A-18 and E-2D Hawkeye simulators into the single virtual tactical environment.

The integration of air, surface, and cyber domains allowed crews to execute complex mission scenarios. Lockheed Martin stated the exercise facilitated seamless data exchange across the network. Ken Garrett, Vice President of F-35 Training and Logistics at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the operational relevance of the event.

“This exercise enabled warfighters to train the way they fight. They complete complex missions in coordination across distances — their training should represent their missions.”

Garrett added that mission rehearsal across multiple bases builds the readiness and interoperability required for future operations.

Expanding global simulation capabilities

The September 21, 2026, announcement follows a broader Military-Aircraft push toward networked virtual training environments. On July 21, 2026, the U.S. Air Force integrated F-35 Emulated Non-Operational Flight Program Interoperability Experience (FENIX) simulators into the VALIANT SHIELD 2026 exercise at Misawa Air Base in Japan. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command noted this deployment expanded the use of simulator networks to refine tactics among joint and allied forces.

International operators are also investing in distributed training infrastructure. On January 7, 2026, reports emerged that Italy is constructing the first F-35 Pilot Training Center outside the United States at Trapani-Birgi. The facility is designed to link Italian crews to the global F-35 distributed training network for electronic warfare and networked operations scenarios.

AirPro News analysis

We view the successful linkage of 16 full mission simulators across the Pacific and the continental United States as a critical milestone for fifth-generation fighter training. Live-flight exercises involving F-35 Lightning II, F/A-18, and E-2D Hawkeye aircraft require massive logistical support, airspace coordination, and fuel expenditures. Virtual environments allow operators to practice highly classified electronic warfare and stealth tactics without exposing their signatures to adversary intelligence-gathering assets. As the U.S. Department of Defense and international partners face constrained training budgets, the reliance on high-fidelity, distributed simulation networks will likely become a primary method for maintaining combat readiness.

Sources: Lockheed Martin