International Training Systems

Written by Marty Kauchak

International Companies’ Programs
INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES SUPPORT U.S. DOD
TRAINING PROGRAMS AND AUDIENCES AROUND
THE GLOBE IN A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL AREAS.

DISTANCE LEARNING

INSIGHT RECOGNITION TRAINING SYSTEM
Insight is the standard computer-based recognition training system used by all major commands in the U.S. Air Force, providing visual identifi cation, combat identifi cation and antifratricide capabilities. This is achieved by combining 3-D visualization with multi-spectral, multi-media databases, which are user-updatable and searchable. Embedded computer CBT utilities allow the rapid creation of tutorials and tests. Insight provides the ability to visually identify platforms at varying angles, levels of light and in obscuration. Browsable libraries are provided for air, land and sea platforms, which can import any still images, sound and digital video, making Insight adaptable for future recognition training.

AUTHORWARE E-LEARNING CONVERSIONS
WITH CONTENT POINT
The Aberdeen Test Center/U.S. Army Project for Atlantic Link is to provide professional services to specifi cally convert a large amount of legacy and e-learning data from Authorware, including multiple graphics, text and animations. Atlantic Link’s software solution, Content Point, is the key driver behind the conversions. The applications allow for rapid, professional authoring (and maintenance) of dynamic, Webbased e-learning content to the Army. As a part of the technology and delivery, Atlantic Link uses a server-based platform model with .NET architecture, enabling developers to produce quality e-learning materials 70 percent faster than any other technology and provide a 100 percent fl ash output after conversions.

GAMING

STEEL BEASTS PROFESSIONAL
BY ESIM GAMES LLC
SB Pro is a vehicle-centric virtual and constructive simulation. It models combined arms combat tactics from individual crew position up to battalion-level task force. Since late 2000 SB Pro has been used by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in basic tactical instruction at platoon level. In 2002–2003 a modifi cation was developed for the 1st Armored Division to include the FIST-V as well as the M2A2 ODS Bradley, and a number of mobility assurance and countermobility elements. USMA equipped four classrooms; 1st AD acquired a site license.

LIVE TRAINING

COPAS 7R PYROTECHNIC IED SIMULATION SYSTEM
AND PDA CONTROL DEVICES
Through prime contractor AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., PEO STRI has purchased considerable quantities of the COPAS 7R pyrotechnic IED simulation system and PDA control devices, developed and manufactured by RUAG Electronics in Germany. The systems were purchased to meet the urgent need for an Interim IED Effects Simulator.

COPAS 7R, also known as the Fire Marker Unit, provides highly realistic IED and other battlefi eld effects, and uses standard M30 and M31 pyrotechnic cartridges. It also provides an RF MILES kill signal. The device is controlled remotely by RF with the PocketPyro PDA controller. This can control large numbers of individual COPAS systems, fi ring these individually or in pre-assigned routines, and can set the devices to safe, to “sleep” mode and to fi re. A script function on the PDA allows training staff to write individual fi ring sequence exercises to suit specifi c training needs.

IEDES FOR U.S. ARMY
MILSIM-FX is proud to partner with Lockheed Martin and provide the U.S. Army with the Improvised Explosive Device Effects Simulator (IEDES). IEDES is the latest generation of explosive simulator technology available on the market today.

RANGES AND INSTRUMENTATION

VARIOUS SYSTEMS

STOC II. U.S. Army’s PEO STRI awarded an omnibus contract to Saab Training USA along with a number of other companies called STOC II valued at $17.5 billion for a series of multiple-award indefi nite delivery/indefi nite quantity (IDIQ) contracts from 2009–2018. Saab Training USA is part of the international conglomerate, Saab AB, and sells the products developed by Saab Training Systems of Sweden. The STOC II orders will provide simulation, training and instrumentation products and services beginning with concept development and continuing throughout life cycle support.

Saab’s numerous programs used by U.S. services include:

• Army Target System (ATS) and Digital Range Target System (DRTS) programs. The targetry systems are controlled by a range control station and with combinations of infantry and armor target lifters both moving and stationary. Saab has also been delivering its range products under a similar program called the Digital Range Target System (DRTS) managed by PEO STRI. The 30 ranges are in constant use from CONUS, Hawaii, Alaska, and as far away as Jordan and Korea.
• Instrumented-Tactical Engagement Simulation System (I-TESS). U.S. Marine Corps’ PMTRASYS awarded a two-year omnibus contract to Saab for $29 million in April 2009 for a two-year delivering schedule. The I-TESS is based on Saab’s instrumentation system already in wide use throughout the Marine Corps to support live forceon- force training with interfaces to live, virtual and constructive simulators. The program is unique with its combined instrumentation requirements for open terrain and urban environments.
• SEALs Instrumented Training Support Contract. Saab has been awarded a series of operation and support contracts through the GSA for $3 million since 2006 by the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Command. Saab employees work directly with the Navy SEALs teams to train without ranges around the world using company-owned instrumentation systems and simulators. Saab sustains the systems as the service and equipment support contractor in the fi eld as well as warehousing the equipment when not in use at its Orlando warehouse. The SEALs can call anytime, and Saab responds within 48 hours to begin the training anywhere in CONUS.

SERVICES

U.K. MECHANIZED BRIGADE RESPONSE CELL
SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF AUSTERE CHALLENGE
2008 IN SUPPORT OF HQ USAEUR
In support of Exercise Austere Challenge 2008 for the U.S. 7th Army, Newman & Spurr Consultancy Ltd. (NSC) deployed a coalition brigade response cell. The cell consisted of eight personnel with recent operational experience and knowledge of current coalition procedures. This included U.K. and Australian doctrine across all staff branches (G1–G9). The cell provided a three-week, 24/7 capability in support of the U.S. Southern European Task Force. It replicated the operations of a U.K. and an Australian brigade, and also provided coalition-specifi c advice direct to the CJFLCC. The cell also provided national inputs to the master scenario events list.

VIRTUAL SOLUTIONS

VARIOUS SIMULATION AND MODELING
TECHNOLOGIES
CAE, based in Canada, is a world leader in providing simulation and modeling technologies and integrated training solutions for defense forces and the civil aviation industry around the globe. In the United States, CAE USA is based in Tampa, Fla., and operates under a Department of Defense special security agreement as a subsidiary of CAE. CAE USA has market responsibility for serving the U.S. military as well as countries closely supported by U.S. military funding, including Israel and Korea.

CAE USA is involved in a range of programs supporting simulation and training systems for the U.S. military. These programs include: C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System for the Air Force and prime contractor Lockheed Martin; C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) for the Air Force and prime contractor Boeing; MH-60S and MH-60R Tactical Operational Flight Trainers for the Navy; Special Operations Forces Aviation Training and Rehearsal Systems (ASTARS) for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne); Synthetic Environment Core Database Virtual Environment Development for the Army; and P-8A Poseidon Operational Flight Trainer for the Navy and prime contractor Boeing.

VIRTUAL TASK TRAINERS
NGRAIN was awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to provide the U.S. Marine Corps with 60 Virtual Task Trainers (or Virtual Training Software). The NGRAIN training solution will support maintenance training for individual and crew weapons, ground weapon systems and vehicle subsystems, and will be used to support both instructor-led and self-paced student learning. The VTTs, based on NGRAIN commercial off-the-shelf software, will conform to the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), allowing the Marine Corps to use them in conjunction with learning management systems. The VTTs will be delivered over the course of the next year.

VISUAL SYSTEMS

PROJECTOR SYSTEMS

In 2007, Lockheed Martin selected Barco’s advanced video processing technology for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter training program. In 2008, the U.S. Navy’s NSST program contracted Barco to provide it with an immersive naval training environment. The system was deployed at naval bases in Mayport, Pearl Harbor and San Diego. It consists of seven high-resolution Barco projectors, with the necessary features on board that render the composite, naval imagery consistent in terms of color and brightness across the curved screens.

Barco has also delivered over 250 projectors for Lockheed Martin’s Close Combat Tactical Trainer–Reconfi gurable Vehicle Simulator (CCTT-RVS) which trains soldiers in a 360-degree realistic reconnaissance, convoy environment featuring a 3-D view and accurate weapons systems; Barco has also provided projectors to Cubic’s Simulation Systems Division’s EST 2000 small arms training system. The company was also subcontracted by prime integrator Kongsberg to deliver and install a 240-degree projector display system for the National Security Cutter full-mission bridge simulator at the U.S. Coast Guard training center in Petaluma, Calif., and is delivering and installing an 18-channel U.S. Navy submarine bridge team trainer.