ACES Powers Next Generation Wargaming in Europe
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Center for Experimentation and Simulation (ACES) is reshaping how militaries train, plan and make decisions. The high-fidelity, multi-domain modeling platform gives warfighters a virtual sandbox where air, land, sea, space and cyber environments can be combined, examined and rerun in minutes rather than weeks.
By accelerating experimentation and delivering data-driven insights, ACES enables defense leaders to evaluate operational concepts, refine tactics and strengthen decision-making before forces enter the field. Equally important, the platform supports the growing demand for allied interoperability, allowing nations to test how their forces operate together in integrated coalition environments aligned with NATO operational concepts.
European Rollout Gains Momentum
Through an F-35 industrial cooperation project agreement with VR Group, Lockheed Martin will provide the company with the ACES software suite, training, technical support and knowhow needed to stand up the Multi-Domain Concept Center (MDCC). The center will also support the Czech Republic’s role in strengthening NATO’s collective defense posture by enabling experimentation with multinational force integration, joint operational concepts and next-generation multidomain operations.
In addition, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) – the government agency for procuring, developing, and delivering military equipment and services for Sweden’s armed forces – is utilizing their Test and Evaluation (T&E) division to evaluate ACES’ ability to link existing national assets into a single, integrated simulation environment. The T&E division ensures that new systems actually work together in realistic operational environments. This effort will demonstrate how ACES can underpin multidomain operations while supporting NATO-wide interoperability goals as FMV supports the nation’s multidomain operations initiatives.
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader trend across Europe leveraging advanced modeling and simulation to enhance allied readiness, accelerate capability development and strengthen coordination among NATO partners.
Next-level Readiness with ACES
As a single, integrated platform, forces can observe, test and improve how they prepare to address future challenges, both nationally and alongside allied forces.
- Full spectrum scenario modeling – Air, ground, maritime, space and cyber elements can be layered together, letting forces evaluate weapon effectiveness, integrated air and missile defense deployments, and joint force communications in a single run.
- Rapid “what if” analysis – Multiple courses of action are generated instantly, allowing commanders to spot weaknesses, test mitigation measures and refine tactics before they are fielded.
- Better resource allocation – By exposing the most cost-effective force mix in a virtual environment, ACES helps ministries optimize budgets while strengthening overall defense posture.
The combination of high-resolution awareness and rapid, repeatable experimentation delivers measurable gains in agility, interconnectivity, and decision superiority across increasingly complex and ambiguous environments.
Looking Ahead
Lockheed Martin will continue to field demonstrations for both the Czech Republic and Sweden throughout 2026, expanding the ACES footprint across Europe and deepening the partnership model that couples cutting-edge technology with national industrial participation.
As European nations continue to modernize their defense capabilities and strengthen allied cooperation, platforms like ACES will play a critical role in enabling faster innovation, more integrated operations and greater readiness across the NATO alliance.