Lockheed Martin connected 16 F-35 full mission simulators across four military bases for a two-hour distributed mission rehearsal. The exercise also brought F-18 simulators and an E-2D Hawkeye controller into the same virtual mission from a fifth location.

The event tested how crews stationed thousands of miles apart could coordinate during a simulated multidomain operation, the company said Monday. The participating sites maintained command-and-control links and completed every training objective during the exercise.

The F-35 simulators operated from Marine Corps Air Stations Yuma, Miramar and Iwakuni, along with Naval Air Station Lemoore. The F-18 simulators and E-2D Hawkeye controller joined from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.

The arrangement allowed geographically separated crews and controllers to train together while working from their respective bases. Each team could operate within a common operational picture during the exercise.

The setup also brought together U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy units in a single training event. This gave participants experience coordinating with other platforms and units without moving aircraft or crews to one location.

Lockheed Martin used its tactical environment simulation to recreate a mission involving air, surface, and cyber operations. The scenario required participants to coordinate their actions while responding within the shared virtual environment.

The exercise focused on maintaining communication and situational awareness as information moved between the participating locations. Command-and-control links remained active throughout the event, according to Lockheed Martin.

Teams reported uninterrupted situational awareness and data exchange. The company said it completed every planned training objective during the two-hour rehearsal.