A $46 million contract has been awarded to integrate F-22 into the U.S. Air Force Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) training network.

The contract allows for the design and test of new software and systems for the F-22 Full Mission Trainer (FMT) that will enable Raptor pilots to train with other aircrews flying different simulated aircraft at locations throughout the world. For example, Raptor pilots on the East Coast will be able to train with AWACS crews in the Midwest and F-15 pilots in Europe in a joint synthetic battlespace made up of live, virtual and constructive elements.

The contract is to incorporate the enhanced FMTs into an F-22 Mission Training Center (MTC) that is scheduled to begin operations in 2009. Currently five F-15C MTCs operate around the globe and contracts have been awarded for F-15E and F-16 MTC.

DMO-capable systems operate in Royal Saudi Air Force and the Finnish Air Force and DMO components are being built for Apache Longbow aircrew trainers for the United Kingdom.