A Kuwaiti Eurofighter Typhoon lands on the flight line during exercise Marauder Shield 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025.
A key element of the exercise was the sharpening of combined fighter capabilities between the U.S. and Kuwait Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft soars through the air during exercise Marauder Shield 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Marauder Shield 26.1 emphasized a coordinated response to the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems. The exercise featured advanced counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration between the U.S. and Kuwaiti forces, bolstering regional security and demonstrating a commitment to collaborative defense.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Generation Squadron prepares for take-off at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 25, 2025. The 510th FGS and 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron work together to enable rapid, efficient refueling during high-tempo operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrique Barquet)

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 2, 2025 – Today, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], with Blackshark.ai, unveiled Prepar3D® Fuse, a next‑generation simulation solution to prepare today’s soldier for any mission. Built on a custom version of Unreal Engine 5, Prepar3D® Fuse blends Lockheed Martin’s simulation legacy with commercially available cutting‑edge graphics and AI‑generated terrain and sensor‑modeling, giving warfighters, engineers and instructors a single environment for everything from initial flight training to joint, multi-domain exercises.

“Prepar3D® Fuse provides unmatched synthetic training for the warfighter,” said Adam Breed, chief of innovation at Lockheed Martin. “By marrying our proven SAGE and Prepar3D® technologies with Unreal Engine’s real‑time graphics and Blackshark.ai’s global terrain, we give operators a high‑fidelity training environment while cutting development time and driving cost efficiencies.”

“This marks the beginning of reality and simulation converging toward omniscient worlds that think, evolve, and remain in perfect sync with a changing planet,” declared Michael Putz, CEO of Blackshark.ai.

Key capabilities of Prepar3D® Fuse include:

A full‑earth, material‑encoded globe that includes more than 1,000 geo‑referenced airports and high‑resolution cityscapes powered by Blackshark.ai.
Physically accurate atmospheric and weather models, multi‑spectral sensor suites, and proven SAGE Infrared Math Model to enable realistic training and validation of next‑generation weapons and platforms.
AI‑driven semi‑automated‑forces engine that generates realistic behavior for individual crews up to brigade‑level exercises, dramatically reducing role‑player workload and accelerating scenario creation.
Full compliance with distributed interactive simulation, common image generator interface and native UnrealEngine workflows to ensure seamless integration with legacy assets and rapid deployment of new content.

Prepar3D® Fuse improves aspects of live, virtual and constructive training, and will be inserted across Lockheed Martin training devices delivered across the globe. With its open system, Prepar3D® Fuse is adaptable for all training platforms to be quickly integrated and used with the highest fidelity of training available.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/simulation.

In November, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) achieved a major milestone by completing the first firings of the METEOR BVRAAM from Gripen E, strengthening Brazil’s air-defence deterrent power. Two missiles precisely hit their designated targets, while demonstrating the weapon’s accuracy against long-range threats.

The launches took place during the BVR-X Technical Exercise, at Natal Air Base in Rio Grande do Norte. With the participation of the First Air Defence Group (1º GDA), the Technical Exercise brought together four Gripen E fighters in a large-scale operation that, for the first time, allowed FAB technicians and pilots to handle and employ the METEOR in combat-like conditions.

“The BVR-X was a crucial step in expanding the capabilities of the F-39E Gripen. The Gripen and METEOR combination projects Brazil’s combat power and strengthens the deterrence required by our Air Force and, above all, by the country. With advanced sensors, mission systems and electronic warfare capabilities, combined with a missile designed to make evasion virtually impossible, this combination provides a decisive advantage in air combat,” said Air Major General Breno Diogenes Gonçalves, Commander of Natal Air Base and Director of the Technical Exercise.

“The success of this operation reflects the strong partnership between the Brazilian Air Force, Saab and MBDA. Through this close collaboration, we are bringing cutting-edge technology to Brazil. The Gripen and METEOR combination places the country among the few nations worldwide with access to this level of air combat innovation,” said Peter Dölling, Managing Director at Saab Brasil.

“METEOR is one of the best examples of what is at the core of MBDA’s DNA: cooperation. It is the result of the joint effort of six European nations, led by MBDA, to create the most sophisticated air-to-air weapon system in operation today. The missile, already certified for use with Gripen E in Sweden, is a game-changer that ensures air superiority for its operator. Brazil now benefiting from this capability is an element of pride for MBDA,” explained Ricardo Mantovani, Vice President Export Sales Americas at MBDA.

METEOR’s ramjet motor provides thrust all the way to its threat interception, creating the most extensive No Escape Zone of any medium range air-to-air missile. Its endgame kinematics and blast fragmentation warhead ensure maximum effectiveness. METEOR can engage a wide variety of targets, day or night, in any weather conditions, and in intense electronic warfare environments too.
Preparations for BVR-X Technical Exercise took place with support from Saab, MBDA and several FAB units, including the Operational Applications Institute, which received key knowledge transfer on missile employment. Patrol aircraft also helped secure the maritime area to ensure safe launch conditions. The targets were two manoeuvrable Mirach 100/5 drones specifically designed for this exercise. They replicated the speed and altitude profile of modern fighter aircraft, creating a demanding environment to demonstrate the missile’s precision, adding realism to the evaluation.

The outcome of the exercise highlighted the highly effective performance of Gripen E paired with the METEOR missile, underscoring its importance within the Brazilian Air Force’s air-defence capability.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 26,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations. Saab has a long-term partnership with Brazil and provides a wide range of advanced solutions for the country, both civil and military. Through the Brazilian Gripen Programme, the company has established a broad technology transfer initiative that is strengthening the national defence industry.