Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

MT2 2009 Volume: 14 Issue: 6 (November/December)

VIRTSIM Sharpens IED Defeat Training

A Raytheon Technical Services Co.-led team demonstrated Virtual Tactical Training Simulation System’s (VIRTSIM’s) ability to deliver IED defeat training during a recent conference.

The training scenario is a result of a twoyear, internal Raytheon effort to examine technologies that can be used to identify or defeat IEDs. VIRTSIM is contained in a pre-packaged, portable system. The simulation was designed to replicate the operating environment—at home station—which soldiers will deploy into.

Motion Reality was enlisted to provide individual and collective training in the IED environment. Follow-on efforts elevated the IED training to battalion-staff level. “We have a completely immersive environment for the entire organization of a battalion, so that regardless of who is in the environment, they are getting training that is correct, replicates the conditions they are moving into and stresses them,” John Baggott, business development executive, international operations, global training solutions, Raytheon, told MT2.

“Our goal has been to help create a human simulator for squad and infantry level training,” Thomas McLaughlin, Ph.D., chairman and CEO, Motion Reality, said. He continued, “To do that we have leveraged our experience in motion reality, as part of the Raytheon IED task force team, in Hollywood.” In particular, Motion Reality brings its award-winning competencies in motion capture as illustrated in current motion pictures. “We are leveraging that experience to create the ultimate visuals, but in real-time, not rendered as we do in our movie work,” McLaughlin added.

VIRTSIM scenarios immerse an entire squad—head to toes—in a virtual training environment. Participants use wireless, stereo, head-mounted displays to obtain their own, independent, 360-degree view of the scenario.

“They are able to be put under physical stress, while they are under cognitive stress—they can do anything a warfighter does,” McLaughlin concluded.

John Baggott: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I-TESS Contract Update

On April 27, 2009, the United States Marine Corps announced a multi-year production and service contract to Saab Training USA of Orlando. The Instrumented-Tactical Engagement Simulation System (I-TESS) contract has an initial order of $22 million with a ceiling price of $28.8 million to produce and field the I-TESS tactical training system.

I-TESS is a member of Saab’s Deployable Instrumented Training Systems (DITS) line of live training products that is used by militaries and security professionals throughout the world that provides greatly improved training capabilities over other fielded devices.

First deliveries will go to MCB, Quantico, Va., and were scheduled for delivery as this issue went to press. Second deliveries will go to Camp Pendleton, Calif., and are scheduled for this December.

Ken Polczynski: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Olive 2.3 Software Platform Release

Forterra Systems announced the 2.3 release of its On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment (OLIVE) software platform.

A statement provided to MT2 by Chris Badger, Forterra spokesperson, highlighted a number of new OLIVE capabilities. At the top of the list of enhancements are IT readiness features that permit the user organizations to better integrate OLIVE with their IT systems and Web infrastructure in preparation for larger-scale deployments and meetings. “IT can now integrate OLIVE-based virtual meetings into Web-based intranets,” read the statement.

OLIVE 2.3 expanded capabilities also include a scenario editor that collects all of the elements needed in OLIVE to practice a set of repeatable training procedures, and media dashboards that allow mixing a variety of media like streaming videos and MS PowerPoint slides.

Chris Badger: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Networking C-17 Training Sites

Boeing received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to deliver a C-17 distributed training center (DTC) to Scott Air Force Base. Boeing will provide the ability to network 10 existing C-17 training sites in the United States, using Scott Air Force Base as the hub.

Boeing expects to deliver the DTC in January 2012. The 10 training sites will maintain their existing connections to the DMO network, which allows military aircraft training sites around the world to link with one another for large-scale, high-fidelity training operations.

The C-17-specific DTC will extend current C-17 DMO capabilities, allowing for higher-fidelity aircrew training; it also will provide the airlift community with a continuously available training network capability.

“The system will operate to the secret level,” Alison Sheridan, company spokesperson, told MT2. She added, “We only have one sub-contractor—Flight Safety International in Tulsa. Their input includes drawing updates for the weapons systems trainers [WSTs], procurement of some of the parts and installation on the WSTs. Boeing is doing all of the design, coding, implementation and testing.”

Alison Sheridan: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tactical Simulation Systems for Raven-B Personnel

SDS International delivered 20 of its innovative, laptop-based RavenView tactical simulation systems for use in training U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)/Special Operations Command forces.

The RavenView systems will be “an integral part of the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Formal Training Unit at Hurlburt Field. Students will utilize the RavenView simulators during all phases of training to include flight, mission planning and tactical application. In addition, trainees will spend time on RavenView when weather cancels real-world flight operations,” Todd Haley, manager, business and new product development, SDS International, Advanced Technology Division, told MT2.

SDS delivered its RavenView trainer earlier this year to AFCENT. “Those systems were fielded to deployed units in order for them to have a means to train while down range,” Haley said.

RavenViewT uses SDS’ AAcuity Spectator (NEXWARS) viewer technologies. Haley continued, “The current RavenViewT system represents a significantly enhanced version of SDS’ Raven-B 3-D viewer software originally developed in cooperation with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson AFB, to improve tactical simulation training of Raven-B personnel using actual Raven controls. The completely redesigned RavenViewT system incorporates feedback from subject matter experts. The system also provides an affordable ‘plug-and-play’ capability that adds significant training realism, increases training flexibility, and improves usability for warfighters operating the Raven-B and other SUAV simulations (including Wasp and Puma) controlled by AeroEnvironment’s Joint Common Interoperable Ground Control Station. All the while, we preserve SUAV system capabilities, operator functions and existing SUAV simulation software.”

Todd Haley: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Back to Top