20 www.globalmilitarycommunications.com | October 2018

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Photo courtesy of Meggitt Training Systems

Live fire and simulated trainingsystems merge into oneWhen it comes to using military equipment effectively, training is everything. The more man-hours that have been spentlearning to utilise weapons or communications systems appropriately, the better and more intuitively that equipmentwill be utilised in the field. Using the latest technology to aid in soldier training has become commonplace the worldover, and with good reason; the use of virtual reality and games have frequently been used to train soldiers in a widerange of skills, including parachuting. This technology-based approach has saved countless lives, and, moreover,helped attract new recruits who can relate more to the technology they’re accustomed to using in everyday life.

When it comes to military training, there’s few things thatcan be considered as essential as live fire training, wheresoldiers have the opportunity to get to grips with real ammunitionin an artificial combat situation. Live fire ranges are usuallygovernment-owned, and completely void of other people in anattempt to avoid casualties. During live fire exercises, soldiersare placed in combat with derelict equipment such as tanks orships, drones, or, in some cases, against other soldiers.

Hands-on experience with real weapons in irreplaceable forsoldiers in the field and learning to use this equipment to thebest of their ability could one day mean the difference betweenlife and death. Weight, the kickback, re-loading – all thisexperience is vital should the soldier ever enter a real battle.Partaking in live fire training enables soldiers to become moreaccustomed to the effect of real ammunition, how it travels, thenoise involved, and all in a safe environment. This can be agreat aid in reducing stress and imbuing soldiers with confidence.

Today, live fire training is being increasingly backed up byvirtual capabilities, systems which allow soldiers to hone theirtargeting and operational techniques. The benefits of live firetraining in a simulated environment are obvious; high ammunitioncosts are done away with, and the number of injuries are vastlyreduced. Of course, training in a simulated environment will neverbe able to replace genuine real-world live fire exercises, however,

it is an excellent tool to augment existing training capabilities.

Meggitt Training Systems: Launching new products andsigning contractsMeggitt Training Systems is a leading supplier of integrated livefire and simulation weapons training systems supporting military,defence and security forces, federal and international lawenforcement agencies, large metropolitan training academies,police departments, ammunition and firearms manufacturers andcommercial shooting range owners.

In October 2017, Meggitt Training Systems launched its FATS100P, a portable virtual training system which features advancedfunctionality for both instructor and trainee, delivering weaponhandling and shot placement analytics, marksmanship automaticcoaching tools and enhanced graphic capabilities. Portable andlight, the FATS 100P comes in a rugged hand-carry case thesize of a large range bag that allows easy one-persontransportation, set up and operation.

“The FATS 100P brings portable, robust simulation trainingto the field,” said Andrea Czop, Vice President for Strategy, Salesand Marketing at Meggitt Training Systems. “This capabilityenables law enforcement departments the flexibility to trainvirtually anytime, anywhere.”

FATS 100P users are required to survey and react to verbal

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Global Military Communications Magazine

cues, facial expressions and overall body language to quicklyassess a situation and interact with individuals using propercommands and perishable skills training. In conjunction withthe de-escalation of force scenarios, integrated video authoringallows the instructor to create, edit, score, load and run customercontent filmed locally in familiar locations. Up to six weaponsimulators, including Meggitt’s BlueFire wireless weapons, canbe run simultaneously.

In the same month, Meggitt introduced a full-size live-firescreen that enables simulation training on a firing range. Thenew screen allows users to train within a shooting range usinglive ammunition while scenarios are displayed on the screenthrough the FATS 100LE system.

The live-fire screen includes a natural rubber screenintegrated with the FATS 100LE virtual system, leveraging thesame software and courseware used for Meggitt’s laser-basedweapons. Optical measurement of the bullet in flight determineshit positioning, which means a much shorter guard time (theminimum required by the system to discriminate two successiveshots) compared to other available live-fire screens. All electronicequipment, including projection, is located above the top of thescreen and is typically installed to the ceiling behind an existingrange baffle. This eliminates the need for heavy and bulky steelframes common in other systems. Unlike competing live-fireofferings where screen integrity affects hit detection capability,Meggitt’s screen surface is not needed for detection of projectilespassing through the area of interest and is used only for showingthe projected image. It can be readily integrated into live-fireshoot houses with other surfaces for projected images. The easy-to-install, self-healing screen can be used with various types ofweapons ranging from revolvers to submachine guns and isdesigned to withstand up to 50,000 rounds over the entiresurface area before replacement or repair.

“Law enforcement departments no longer have to choosebetween simulation and live-fire training,” said Czop. “Meggitt’slive-fire screen means customers can derive all the benefits ofvirtual training while using live ammunition within the confinesof a firing range.”

In November, Meggitt launched its next new product; animmersive, multi-screen FATS 300 system. The FATS 300configuration supports weapon and ammunition types availableon the FATS 100MIL and 100LE systems, including rifles, pistols,machine guns, anti-armour and non-lethal deterrents like pepperspray and Taser. Other weapon types can be added via installed

software. The system can support up to 20 simulated weapons,including a maximum of four assigned to a single user. The FATS300 system also features 3D marksmanship, judgmental andcollective training, with high-definition imagery projected on eachactive screen. The system utilizes the same high-fidelity ballisticengine validated by the US Army and other military customers.

“Our new FATS 300 system increases the capability andeffectiveness of our military and law enforcement trainingproducts by providing a truly immersive environment,” saidMeggitt Training Systems President Jeff Murphy. “Existing FATS100MIL and FATS 100LE customers can upgrade to a 300-degree, high-definition experience complete with 5.1 surroundsound. Now trainers can create even higher levels of realism ina variety of marksmanship, judgmental and collective scenarios.”

Most recently in April, Meggitt was named one of fivecompanies qualified to fulfil a vital US Army combat skills trainingprogram for American and allied warfighters. The Army TargetrySystems program has a total value of US$125 million. Individualcontracts will be awarded during the next five years with anestimated completion date of 15 March 2023.

“Meggitt Training Systems appreciates the opportunity todeliver on the upcoming Army Targetry Systems program,” saidJon Read, Meggitt’s Live-Fire Systems Director. “We believeour track record at US Army training ranges at home and abroadmakes us the ideal choice for the next generation of live-firetargets.”

Cubic Corporation wins an endless number of trainingcontractsUSA-based Cubic Corporation is another major developer ofsimulation and training solutions for government and militaryapplications, employing more than 250 personnel to meet itsgoals.

In October 2017, Cubic announced that its Cubic GlobalDefense (CGD) division had received four additional deliveryorders totalling US$22 million, from an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, to support the US Navy’sLittoral Combat Ship (LCS) with the creation and delivery ofimmersive game-based courseware. Cubic’s Orlando, Floridaoperations will be responsible for the development efforts of theImmersive Virtual Shipboard Environment (IVSE) for LCS.Cubic’s IVSE is an advanced learning product for the LCStraining program that puts trainees in a photo-realistic, 3Denvironment to teach various tasks in settings that are virtuallyidentical to real-life scenarios. The additional orders receivedas part of CGD’s IDIQ will add new functionality and virtualcontent to the current LCS virtual training environment.

Later in May, CGD received eight additional delivery orderstotalling US$16 million from the IDIQ contract for the delivery ofimmersive game-based courseware to support the US Navy’sLCS. “We are pleased to continue our support for the US Navywith the creation of virtual and immersive training coursewarethat aligns with our NextTraining strategy,” said Dave Buss,President of Cubic Global Defense. “The additional deliveryorders underscore our commitment to providing the Navy withinnovative, cost-effective training solutions that are aligned withthe Chief of Naval Operations’ vision of achieving high velocitylearning through 21st century technology.”

Meanwhile, November saw CGD win a glut of new contractorders to support American defence forces:

• A US$11.5 million contract from the US Marine CorpsSystems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) to support theMarine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Training SystemsSupport (MTSS) effort. During the six-month contract period,CGD will provide training in Marine warfighting skills;command post exercises; battle staff training; missionrehearsal exercises; command, control, communication andcomputers (C4) mobile training; in addition to combatsimulation ranging from individual to joint and combinedstaffs training. MTSS is the premier training program to

Photo courtesy of Saab

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prepare senior commanders and their staff to operate acrossthe range of military operations and within the context ofJoint and/or Combined Task Force environment for the USMarine Corps.

• A more than US$61 million contract from the US ArmyContracting Command to support rotational and pre-deployment training exercises at the US Army’s JointReadiness Training Center (JRTC). The awarded amount isfor the combined one-year phase-in and base period withfour additional option years. The work has an estimatedcompletion date of November 2022. CGD will continue toassist the JRTC with integrating US and allied forces intorotational training exercises through scenarios focused onDecisive Action and theater-specific operationalenvironments. These types of exercises are conducted forunits targeted for deployment in support of ongoing militaryoperations overseas and include situational training, live fire,force-on-force and integrated live, virtual and constructive(LVC) training.

• A US$957 million ceiling ID/IQ multiple award task ordercontract to support the US Army’s Mission Training ComplexCapabilities Support (MTCCS) program. CGD will delivertraining, technical and communications support to multipleMission Training Complexes (MTCs) supporting ArmyService Component Commands (ASCC), Army Corps,divisions, brigades and below levels worldwide. The programwill provide individual, leader, small unit, battle staff andsimulation-driven Mission Command (MC) training, technical,exercise, simulation and administrative support for variousMTCs. CGD will provide support through November 2022.

March saw the announcement of an interesting new US$3.53billion, seven-year contract within Lockheed Martin’s team forUS Army Training Aids, Devices, Simulators and Simulations(TADSS) Maintenance Program (ATMP). The contract, awardedby the Army Contracting Command – Orlando, in support of theUS Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training andInstrumentation (PEO STRI), will sustain more than 300,000fielded, including live-fire ranges and instrumentation systemsworldwide.

CGD will receive more than US$185 million with substantialadditional over-and-above work likely to sustain TADSS acrossthe live, virtual, constructive and gaming (LVC-G) domains atmultiple locations supporting the Army’s readiness at homestations and Combat Training Centers (CTCs). CGGD will beresponsible for global operations supporting 21 locations across10 states and three countries with more than 500 personnel.The ATMP program will support over 61 different types of trainingaides and devices to include Cubic’s man-worn MultipleIntegrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) and Homestation Instrumented Training System (HITS). Cubic will beginits five-month phase-in with full performance anticipated tocommence in October 2018.

“We are honoured to be part of this winning team withLockheed Martin. Delivering integrated and effective trainingsolutions to enhance operational performance and missionreadiness are at the core of our NextTrainingTM strategy,” saidDave Buss, President of CGD. “We look forward to workingclosely with Lockheed Martin and other partners included inthis program to improve operational availability of the Army’sTADDS in the critical role of training Soldiers worldwide.”

Of course, CGD doesn’t deliver all its services as astandalone entity. In May, the division signed two newpartnerships for delivery of services:

• A US$6 million contract in partnership with FederalResources will see the United States Air National Guard(ANG) equipped with 95 PRISim Suite PortableTrainersystems that include recoil and less-lethal training weaponsand devices. The system also includes software capabilitiesthat allow customization of scenarios. To be deployed at every

ANG base, the systems will train security forces personnelin use-of-force policy and handling of deadly force and less-lethal weapons. Cubic’s L750 portable system from thePRISim Suite product line leverages high-definition,interactive videos and game-engine technology to createrealistic training theatres for all aspects of firearms handling.The system is easy-to-use, simple to transport and quick todeploy with an industry-leading set up time of three minutes.It includes a Surface Pro tablet controller and features threemodes of training – branching video for use of force training,marksmanship and skill builder modes.

• CGD and 4C Strategies have formed a new strategicpartnership to cooperate globally in the development anddelivery of next-generation training and readinesscapabilities to shared customers. CGD and 4C Strategieswill explore opportunities to further integrate the companies’complementary products, services and solutions. Thepartnership will provide open and scalable training solutionswith a focus on customer outcomes rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ proprietary approach. The companies anticipateimproved aggregation between quantitative data generatedwithin training simulation applications, such as CGD’s CATSMetrix, and the qualitative assessments made by observersand stored in 4C Strategies’ EXONAUT Software Suite, willenable significant advances in performance-based training.Combining this data provides enormous potential for dataanalytics, improved learning outcomes and greater readinessmanagement.

Saab delivers updated simulation capabilities in EuropeSaab is one of the world’s leading providers of military simulationtechnologies, serving customers across the globe with effectivetraining solutions. In November 2017, Saab launched a newtool, We:Are, for military exercise leaders, which is built onaugmented reality for Smart phones and tablets. The newapplication provides a 360-degree overview of the battlefield,offering real-time visualisation of targets, engagements andmovements.

Suitable for both night and day exercises, the Observers/Controllers can easily locate troops, and with a single click, theview changes between the real training environment and anoverview image of the exercise area. Based on Google Maps,We:Are is fully compatible with all Saab instrumented trainingsystems. New threats, such as minefields and artillery, can beintroduced to the exercise at any time. Injury types, numbers ofdead or wounded, and damaged vehicles can also be visualised.

Photo courtesy of Saab

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“We:Area has been designed with simplicity and smoothnessin mind. With the device the exercise leader can focus on whatis important, which is to keep track on the individuals andevaluate entire troops in the field,” said Åsa Thegström, Head ofBusiness Training & Simulation at Saab’s Dynamics businessarea.

Meanwhile, in January, Saab received an US$12 million orderfrom the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, InformationTechnology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the upgradeof the German Army’s vehicle simulators. Saab will provide newsoftware and hardware to German Army vehicles and tanksoperating the laser simulator BT 46, such as Leopard, Fennek,Marder and Wiesel. The new standard for laser codes, SISO,will be implemented in the upgrade, so the German Army willbe interoperable with most other European countries. This isimportant because the number of multinational exercises isincreasing.

“An effect of the security situation in Europe is that moreand more of our customers emphasize that interoperability isextremely important in order to carry out multinational exercisesof high quality,” said Thegström.

“The German Army has been a customer on the lasersimulator BT 46 since 1985, and during the years we havedelivered the system for almost all weapons on German fightingvehicles and main battle tanks. It is a proven simulator systemfor gunnery training with different weapons and for realistic andtactical combat exercises in field,” added Görgen Johansson,Head of Saab’s Dynamic business area.

In March, Saab received a US$12.9 million order from theDefence Material Organisation (DMO) for support and upgradeof simulators for the Netherland Army’s Mobile Combat TrainingCentre. The contract is for a two-year extension and includesan option for one additional year of support. Back in the early2000s, Saab delivered the Mobile Combat Training Centre

(MCTC) to the Netherlands Army. Over the years, the centrehas been updated with new features and is now the world´slargest mobile training centre for training up to battalion level(Level 5). The training centre moves to several different nationsin Europe for exercises in different environments and for jointexercises with other nations.

Later in April, Saab signed an US$5.7 million contract withthe Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for trainingsystems for the Swedish Army. The contract includes deliveriesof the Manpack 300 training system to most of the regiments inSweden and a number of networked base stations. The Manpack300 systems, used for controlling, monitoring and collectingtraining data for analyse of exercises, comes with commercial4G functionality, which delivers improved capability duringexercises. The base stations come in the form of mobilecontainers, so they can be deployed anywhere.

“With this order, the Swedish Army is upgrading andmodernising its training capability. The new systems allow forlarger geographical coverage for the training. It also ensuresthat radio communication can be recorded via the base stations,allowing the customer to evaluate that part of the training,” saidThegström.

A merger of technologiesIt’s clear from reviewing the above contracts and newtechnologies that simulated training techniques, particularlythose incorporating augmented reality, are fast being mergedwith traditional live fire training systems. More and more, militarygroups are opting for the safer option (simulation) ahead of themore risky and expensive option (live fire).

Meanwhile, as technologies advance further, with portablelaser weapons becoming a reality, it may become increasinglycomplex to differentiate between simulated and live fire trainingmethods.

Photo courtesy of US Army

GMC