The Adoption of the JSE Digital Test and Training Range (DTTR)

In 2023, the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) was used to complete the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT and E) of the warfighting capabilities of the F-35. The unprecedented nature of JSE and its use came from the general inability to exercise tactical operations in realistic threat environments using our existing open-air ranges (OARs). JSE has now been deployed to other facilities across the nation enabling the standup of Digital Test and Training Ranges (DTTR), which like traditional OARs (i.e. Nevada Test and Training Range, Utah Test and Training Range), provide the space, time, threats, security, and command and control infrastructure necessary to conduct military test and training operations. The concept of the DTTR (or any other JSE based facility) brings unprecedented opportunities to the acquisition and operational training communities that can significantly transform the way we develop weapons systems and boost tactical training efficacy against modern threats. DTTR will effectively address most of the traditional limitations associated with OARs adding significant value to weapon system lifecycle efforts and improving test and tactical training realism. This paper focuses attention on these opportunities by discussing the value proposition of the DTTR and offering a vision of its future use and the enterprise transformation they could bring.