MT2 17-1 (Feb. 2012)

America's Longest Established Simulation & Training Magazine

Strategy Provider Maj. Gen. Robert B. Brown

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February 2012

Commanding General Maneuver Center of Excellence

Volume 17, Issue 1

Interview with:

Dr. James T. Blake PEO PEO STRI

Radar Operator Training O IED Training Update Command Profile: Northern Warfare Training Center

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Military Training Technology

February 2012 Volume 17 • Issue 1

Features

Cover / Q&A

IED Training Update

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IEDs remain the number one cause of U.S. servicemembers killed and wounded in action. As such, the Army is working to counter the threat through the development of innovative material and non-material initiatives.

By Erin Flynn Jay

I/ITSEC 2011 Photos

8

Military Training Technology recognized the ribbon winners of our Top Simulation and Training Companies 2011 competition at I/ITSEC 2011. The featured companies are from around the world and have made a significant impact on the military training industry across the spectrum of technologies and services.

22 Radar Operator Training

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The U.S. armed services have many training tools at their disposal through which to actualize their philosophy of training as they fight. The effort to optimize the mix of training modes for maximum results led to the creation of the live, virtual, constructive training environment.

By Peter Buxbaum

Major General Robert B. Brown Commanding General Maneuver Center of Excellence

Departments 2

Editor’s Perspective

4

Program Highlights/People

12

Data Packets

PEO STRI Who’s Who:

25

Team Orlando

Includes a Q&A with PEO Dr. James Blake of PEO STRI, an article taking an in-depth look at cost savings through teamwork, top 10 contracts list and more.

26

Command Profile

27

Calendar/Directory

Industry Interview

28

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Ronald Vadas President Meggitt Training Systems

MT2 17.1 | 1

Military Training Technology Volume 17, Issue 1 February 2012

Recognized Leader Covering All Aspects of Military Training Readiness Editorial Editor Brian O’Shea briano@kmimediagroup.com Managing Editor Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Online Editorial Manager Laura Davis laurad@kmimediagroup.com Copy Editor Laural Hobbes lauralh@kmimediagroup.com Correspondents Peter Bauxbaum • Erin Flynn Jay Art & Design Art Director Jennifer Owers jennifero@kmimediagroup.com Senior Designer Jittima Saiwongnuan jittimas@kmimediagroup.com Graphic Designers Amanda Kirsch amandak@kmimediagroup.com Scott Morris scottm@kmimediagroup.com Kailey Waring kaileyw@kmimediagroup.com Advertising Associate Publisher Lindsay Silverberg lindsays@kmimediagroup.com

KMI Media Group Publisher Kirk Brown kirkb@kmimediagroup.com Chief Executive Officer Jack Kerrigan jack@kmimediagroup.com Chief Financial Officer Constance Kerrigan connik@kmimediagroup.com Executive Vice President David Leaf davidl@kmimediagroup.com Editor-In-Chief Jeff McKaughan jeffm@kmimediagroup.com Controller Gigi Castro gcastro@kmimediagroup.com Trade Show Coordinator Holly Foster hollyf@kmimediagroup.com Administrative Assistant Casandra Jones casandraj@kmimediagroup.com

Operations, Circulation & Production Distribution Coordinator Duane Ebanks duanee@kmimediagroup.com Data Specialists Rebecca Hunter rebeccah@kmimediagroup.com Tuesday Johnson tuesdayj@kmimediagroup.com Raymer Villanueva raymerv@kmimediagroup.com Summer Walker summerw@kmimediagroup.com Donisha Winston donishaw@kmimediagroup.com

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE The U.S. military has been using Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) training systems for over a decade, and the next step has been reached as U.S. Army medics and evacuation personnel are now getting their own version of Urban Operations Training Systems.

Mobile MOUT is a transportable, urban combat training system consisting of reconfigurable shipping containers assembled into urban structures. Urban structures are fitted with audio/video instrumentation systems, exercise control and monitoring, and AAR presentation capability. Urban structures can be multi-story with interior/exterior stairwells and may include balconies and Brian O’Shea trap doors leading to subterranean storage areas or tunnel complexes. In its fully Editor instrumented configuration, the system allows realistic battlefield effects (smoke, sounds, smells, pyrotechnics, etc.) and provides video and audio of warfighters being trained to allow for rapid after action review.

The first seven MOUTs were delivered in September and October 2011. The primary contractor, Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics, worked with medical simulation teams from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) to create training systems for medical triage and evacuation. MOUTs are designed to simulate realistic scenarios that can be changed each time a new team goes through.

Medical MOUTs will be used in conjunction with PEO STRI’s Medical Simulation Training Centers (MSTC).

MSTC systems are an Army training asset with a regional training requirement. They are located at 18 installations in both the contiguous United States and outside contiguous United States locations. They deliver effective medical training with a standardized training platform for both classroom and simulated battlefield conditions.

The MSTC program supports training for medical and non-medical personnel including active duty, reserves and National Guard, with priority given to deploying units. The MSTC’s goal is to better prepare soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines for the application of medical interventions under combat conditions.

This is great news for medical and evacuation teams by enabling them to hone their skills for urban operations. Mission objectives that focus on triage and evacuation are just as crucial as combat objectives, and training warfighters to deal with these types of scenarios before they occur can result in lives saved, which in the medical community is priority number one.

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MOdeLIng & SIMuLAtIOn | SySteMS engIneerIng & IntegrAtIOn | ACquISItIOn & PrOgrAM MAnAgeMent | teCHnOLOgy

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Ready for what’s next.

It’s been said that training and preparation determine whether wars are won or lost before the first battle begins. Booz Allen Hamilton provides cost-effective Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) solutions to help military leaders, operational staff, and warfighters test strategies and hone their combat skills, helping them prepare for optimal execution. Our strategy and technology consultants work with clients to develop focused LVC programs, integrate or acquire the necessary systems, and manage each training session. Whether you’re managing today’s issues or looking beyond the horizon, count on us to help you be ready for what’s next.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 3-D Medical Simulation Contract Awarded Zebra Imaging has been awarded a $1.1 million contract by IVIR Inc. on behalf of the U.S. Army for evaluation of holographic three-dimensional visualization as an element of medical and other military training. Under the contract, working through IVIR and with the University of Minnesota Center for Research Education and Simulation Training (CREST), Zebra will apply holographic 3-D visualization to medical modeling and will deliver the capability and a complete ZScape Motion Display (ZMD) to the Army Research Lab (ARL) Simulation and Training Technology Center in Orlando, Fla. The effort will investigate current holographic and 3-D imaging technologies and their potential uses for integration into existing medical modeling and simulation systems. Holographic and 3-D anatomical displays will allow medical professionals to better visualize human anatomy and physiology for education, training and practice.

“Medical information is inherently 3-D,” said Zebra Chief Technology Officer Michael Klug, “and this venture into the field of medical simulation, training and education is a glimpse of the future. Zebra holographic displays are broadly capable, with utility in applications as diverse as tactical and strategic operations, intelligence operations, training and medical simulation.” Klug concluded, “ZMD is a dynamic system capable of ingesting the many forms of 3-D models and data currently in use in today’s medical community.”

IVIR (Information Visualization and Innovative Research) Inc., located in Sarasota, Fla., has over 50 years combined experience in medical simulation training, with specific experience in military medical modeling and simulation, and training assessment. The final integrated display will be delivered to STTC in Orlando for evaluation in medical and other scenarios. The Armed Forces Simulation Institute for Medicine and ARL are also supporting the effort.

The University of Minnesota CREST is a world leader in the R&D of medical simulation models that will drive the future of health care professional education. Zebra will deliver a 9-tile ZMD display and develop software to integrate 3-D anatomical medical models into the ZMD. U of M CREST will supply Zebra with the models needed to integrate into the display.

“The medical community employs a wealth of 3-D data but has limited tools to display the data collected,” said Amy Lessner, PMP, Zebra Imaging project manager for MedSim. “ZMD technology will unlock the full potential of the three-dimensional data sets the medical community has been collecting for years.”

Eric Doane; edoane@zebraimaging.com

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Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

3-D Simulation Collaboration Havok, a provider of real-time simulation and 3-D visualization technology, is working closely with Lockheed Martin’s Global Training and Logistics (GTL) business unit, a leading provider of training and logistics support, to improve and standardize the development of 3-D simulations.

Through the effort, Lockheed Martin will be able to integrate Havok’s Physics, Destruction, Animation, AI, Cloth and Script technologies into its Scalable Advanced Graphics Engine (SAGE) capability.

“At Havok, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the technology requirements for delivering highly realistic and immersive

simulation environments,” said Cory Kumm, Havok’s director of military and simulation.

“We are thrilled to be working closely with an industry leader like Lockheed Martin to collaborate on the advancement of simulation and training for the defense industry.”

Fully optimized and highly scalable for complex, large-scale simulations, Havok’s technologies enable integrators to develop interactive, high-fidelity simulation environments of incomparable realism in less time, with less risk, and at a lower cost than virtually any other alternative method.

Cory Kumm; cory.kumm@havok.com

PEOPLE Major General Gregg F. Martin, commandant, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., to president, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. VT MÄK (MÄK), a company of VT Systems Inc., recently announced the retirement of CEO and co-founder, Warren Katz. Katz founded MÄK in 1990 with John Morrison and has acted as COO and CEO during his 21 years with the company. Katz and the MÄK board of directors have selected Daniel J. Schimmel as the company’s new CEO. Notwithstanding his retirement as a CEO, Katz will remain a consultant and adviser to the company. Katz spent his career dedicated to the transformation of the modeling and simulation industry with

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

a commitment to open standards and the COTS product marketplace.

He contributed to the original distributed interactive simulation standard and pushed for the adoption of the high level architecture. MÄK, under Katz’s direction, invented the open standards distributed simulation infrastructure marketplace.

Polhemus owners Al Rodgers and Ken Jedrzejewski announced that Skip Rodgers will take the helm as president of Polhemus, effective January 3, 2012. In addition, Francine Roy will take over as chief financial officer at the company. Most recently, Rodgers has focused on leading the company’s military market efforts, serving as vice president of programs. He has been the primary liaison with

the U.S. military for the last five years, securing several significant contracts. In his new role as president, he plans to continue his involvement in select critical areas within the military market, while continuing to lead the company’s growth in the commercial, medical and research areas. Roy has been with Polhemus as finance manager for many years and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new position.

Rodgers, who will stay on as CEO, and Jedrzejewski, who will remain as corporate vice president, issued a joint statement: “As a privately held company, Polhemus has an edge in the industry, enabling the company to innovate more freely, be more adaptable, meet the demands of customers and respond rapidly to market changes.”

www.MT2-kmi.com

Countering the IED threat through multiple initiatives.

By Erin Flynn Jay MT2 Correspondent

IEDs remain the number one cause of U.S. servicemembers killed and wounded in action. As such, the Army is working to counter the threat through the development of innovative material and nonmaterial initiatives, said Lieutenant Colonel Peggy Kageleiry, Press Desk, Operations, Intelligence, and Logistics Team, Media Relations Division, HQDA Office of the Chief of Public Affairs.

The Army conducts CIED summits to identify tasks common to all and by skill level for institutional training. Morris added the Army is also working on a new method to detect behaviors that will help identify enemy personnel or those that support the enemy. This program is known as Advanced Situation Awareness Training (ASAT) and uses law enforcement techniques used to identify criminal activity. This training enables warfighters to better identify enemy activity before they can employ IEDs. The MCoE is asking the Department of the Army to support the additional training associated with ASAT, added Morris.

TRADOC Support Jim Morris, chief, Training Development Division, Directorate of Training and Doctrine for Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE), said counter-IED (CIED) training is a part of the complex conditions that coalition forces (CF) encounter as a part of current operations in Afghanistan and worldwide.

“CIED training provides the training to mitigate the impact of IED employment. To date it has not been able to totally protect CF, but it has done much to reduce casualties and damage to CF,” he said.

Training is just as important as the continued improvement of materiel for vehicles and individuals. “TRADOC supports all aspects of doctrine, organization, training, and leader development and education in support of both training and equipment,” said Morris.

“TRADOC also supports the acquisition of new materiel and the development of new training and education.”

The enemy is adaptive and creates counters for just about every system the U.S. and its allies employ. “To ensure that our forces remain as far ahead as possible with respect to solutions, the Army has also developed temporary organizations to work closely with in-country forces to expedite counter-IED solutions,” said Morris.

“TRADOC is fully involved in the support of those solutions as well as planning for the future.” www.MT2-kmi.com

Tactical Issue of IEDs The tactical issue of IEDs has become the strategic influence on military training, said Kier Head, business development C-IED subject matter expert, Allen-Vanguard Threat Solutions Ltd. Within the U.K. Army, once a unit is placed upon the ‘operational tour plot,’ a planning matrix of which units should be doing what and when, they will be aware of their arrival date into an operation theater such as Afghanistan. In training terms, they will also be aware of all the requirements they need to complete and the timeframe for such before deployment.

“This will start between six to 12 months prior to deployment, possibly longer for specialist personnel. Personnel training will start to build up individual skills depending upon that person’s role on deployment.

It will then progress to low-level team Kier Head competencies before larger exercises just before deploying, proving the ability of the kier.head@allenvanguard.com MT2 17.1 | 5

rehearsal, operator or pilot training,” said Lozé. “More than just a vehicle simulation builder, the Vortex-created vehicles module features engineering precision, physicsdriven motion, modeling that is flexible and reusable, and easy scalability.”

Deployed in hundreds of applications, Vortex simuMitigation Equipment lates complete vehicle drivetrain, steering and braking systems, tire and track ground interactions, and The approach to CIED equipment can be approached suspension. For tracked vehicles, both rigid and flexin terms of remote and semi-remote, depending upon Bob Turner ible tracks can be simulated, as well as both skid and the established policy, doctrine and standard operating b.turner geared steering. Vortex has flexible and reusable vehicle procedures (SOPs) of the unit. Allen-Vanguard provides @combattrainingsolutions.com assembly features, models vehicles dynamically and uses equipment solutions and threat solutions including the same engineering properties employed by vehicle training, consultancy and intelligence products, and design engineers, which saves many months of effort. developers of counter-threat capability. Equipment soluVortex facilitates the creation of high-fidelity and robust tions like the Defender ROV and the MedEng Mk9 bomb military, mining, earth-moving and other heavy vehisuit combine with customized basic-to-advanced level cles. Visual-simulation designers can add extra dynamic IED disposal training. Head said this gives a holistic components such as trailers, turrets, weapon systems, capability that will enable the threat to be mitigated and manipulators, backhoes, drills and plows, and define eventually countered. drivetrain and suspension behavior with vehicle engi“IED training is important because of the shortcomneering data tables. Users control the vehicle through ings in the soldier’s ability to identify IEDs and make Sébastien Lozé standard inputs such as steering, throttle, manual and a proper response,” said Bob Turner, sales manager for sebastien.loze@cm-labs.com automatic transmissions. Vortex vehicles are fully inteCombat Training Solutions Inc. “IEDs take multiple grated within the virtual world, correctly interacting shapes and sizes, and with the enemies’ ingenuity they with other objects, varying terrain and their environcan completely hide them or camouflage their appearment. Rolling resistance, slip and tire normal forces are ance.” all computed. Vehicles also exhibit accurate behavior The military implements IED training primarily when colliding with other vehicles and obstacles, simuthrough the use of battlefield effects (BFE) by “creating lating rollover, digging-in/plowing, or responding to scenarios during training exercises in real-world enviself-generated forces. ronments; simulating villages, civilians on the battleVortex indirectly supports the warfighters, as it is field, role players and opposing forces,” said Turner. integrated in the training of several NATO supported “BFE incidents are created during those scenarios, operations in the world. whether they are roadside IEDs, VBIEDs (vehicle-borne Dean Preston Explotrain manufactures a full range of explosive IEDs), suicide bombers or other placements that have dean@explotrain.com simulators: small, easily concealed units that can be been used in war.” wall-mounted in urban environments, models the size The challenge lies in IED identification and developof many typical IEDs that can be partially buried or submerged to ing an instinctual awareness and response to develop a soldier’s ‘Spidey simulate roadside bombs or indirect fire, and larger simulators to senses,’ said Turner. Combat Training Solutions’ non-pyrotechnic replicate blasts for training troops mounted in armored vehicles, said devices have been developed to aid in identification and developing a Dean Preston, president of Explotrain. “safe negative penalty.” Being uniquely non-pyrotechnic means they “All of our simulators can be interfaced with a variety of initiation can literally detonate at your feet and you will have no injury. methods: wireless key fobs, advanced wireless transmitters that can “You would have proper PPE [personal protective equipment] control multiple units up to a half mile away, computer-based touchgear on, eye and ear protection, but the explosive signature from our screen control systems, and an endless variety of real world triggering devices will create that negative penalty you won’t ever want to experidevices used by the enemy, e.g., tripwires, pressure plates, motion ence again. Legacy military training has been through the use of pyrodetectors, etc.,” said Preston. “We can also provide visual and olfactory technic devices that emit fire and shrapnel, causing injury and death signatures such as dust, smoke and the smells of explosives, burning during training exercises,” said Turner. “It’s too costly when you have vehicles, blood and flesh.” a safe alternative with our devices. Our devices are used by military, Explotrain’s simulators provide a realistic method of recreating the law enforcement and security organization worldwide. We are in every stress of the battlefield for our troops in training. The violence of an Army and Marine training support center.” explosion in combat will trigger extreme reactions from untrained perCM Labs creates engaging virtual simulation to enhance crew sonnel, typically to the advantage of the enemy who is responsible for preparedness and performance and mission outcome for advanced the explosion in the first place. By training our troops to react instantly ground equipment operations. and correctly to an IED or incoming mortar round, for example, these Their product, Vortex, provides simulation capabilities for the reactions become tactically advantageous. training and analysis of any physics based ground vehicle and robotic Inert Products LLC also provides a large selection of functional application, said Sébastien Lozé, director, marketing and partner sales, and inert IED replicas and kits specifically designed to support CM Labs Simulations Inc. multiple training scenarios, said Robert E. Rozzi, president/CEO of “Vortex sets the standard for physically accurate, real-time simulaInert Products. tions of ground vehicles for virtual prototyping and testing, mission formation to work together in a highly professional manner in all aspects,” said Head. “Countering the threat faced, IEDs being just one of these, is the aim—an aim which has to be and is achieved before deployment.”

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“Our inventory includes inert munitions, ordnance, triggers, detonators, replica weapons, custom posters, books and videos,” he said. “Our products are currently in use on ranges and IED training lanes worldwide. Our focus on realism makes it extremely difficult to differentiate our replicas from their real counterpart when placed side by side. These products Robert E. Rozzi allow every warfighter to train with a realistic inert training aid that would normally only be available to EOD personnel.”

IED defeat is a constantly evolving challenge. Developing products to meet this challenge can be extremely difficult. Normal procurement procedures within DoD can be time-consuming, and in many cases the need for a new product can change or is no longer present in the time it takes between concept and delivery of a new product.

“We do all we can to design products and kits that will remain relevant in training regardless of the tactics used by our adversaries. It is also nearly impossible to get experts to unanimously agree on which products are best suited to support training scenarios,” said Rozzi.

“Scenarios, and the products used to support them, can differ greatly between branches of service and even from installation to installation.”

RL Leaders works with the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) to create the IED Battle Drill (IEDBD), a full-scale immersive training experience.

“There are two functions for the IEDBD. First, it provides extremely realistic training of IED observable and signature detection, actions and protocols upon detection,” said John Rogers, CEO, RL Leaders LLC. “Second, it provides an accurate, realistic IED detonation experience coordinated with post-event training. Currently working with the great team at Camp Atterbury, we have John Rogers just started training soldiers. Their response jrogers@rlleaders.com in the value they find in the training has been tremendous.”

The IEDBD allows soldiers to take their previous IED training and apply it in as real a situation as possible to maintain situational awareness, as well as the SOPs and TTTPs when they encounter a potential IED indicator. The ability of the IEDBD to provide an actual IED detonation simulation (with violent movement, smoke, etc.) provides the intrinsic training of an IED situation, which better prepares soldiers to understand the event and to understand the crisis management decisions that must be made after the detonation. O

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

G4S International Training Inc. G4S ITI has been a quality training provider for over 20 years. All of our instructors are prior military or law enforcement professionals. We specialize in Driving, Firearms, CounterTerrorism, Protective Services, Combatives and Medical Courses.

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MT2 17.1 | 7

I/ITSEC 2011 Photos Military Training Technology recognized the ribbon winners of our Top Simulation and Training Companies 2011 competition at I/ITSEC 2011. The featured companies are from around the world and have made a significant impact on the military training industry across the spectrum of technologies and services. These companies’ products and services allow U.S. airmen, Marines, sailors, soldiers and Coast Guardsmen to train and rehearse for missions in theater or to prepare for deployment at homestation. Those who made the most significant contributions to the training community are recognized with one of the following awards: Best Program, High Revenue, Innovation, and Up and Coming. Featured are photos from I/ITSEC. For the complete list of winners, visit www.mt2-kmi.com.

1 Presagis: Guillaume Herve, Lindsay Silverberg 2 Raydon Corporation: Cory McAndrew, David Robinson 3 MetaVR: Lindsay Silverberg, Torsten Berger 4 Wittenstein Aerospace & Simulation Inc: Michael Polk, Scott Metcalfe 5 Saab Training USA LLC: Brian Domian, Henrik Hojer, Jack Kerrigan, Lars Borjwing, Brian O’Shea 6 Organic Motion Inc: Alex Czarwicz, Andrew Tschesnok 7 Aptima: Lindsay Silverberg, Ryan D. Marceau, Michael J. Garrity, Michael J. Paley, Debra McNeely 8 Kratos Defense: Jason Rizzo 9 DI-Guy: Bill Blank, Marc Shlackman 10 Christie: Zoran Veselic, Lindsay Silverberg 11 CAE: Shana Henning, Mary Reese 12 Combat Training Solutions: Derek W. Dunaway, Antonio Colon 13 Advanced Brain Monitoring Inc: Brian O’Shea, Chris Berka 14 Projectiondesign: Maria Aagaard, Mike Raines, Anders Lokke, Neil Wittering 15 Adacel: Lindsay Silverberg, Jeff Tyrcha 16 AAI Corporation: Matt Walsh, Scott Waldron, Kenneth R. Powers 17 Ngrain: Brian O’Shea, Arnold van den Hoeven, Chris Hawkins, Gabe Batstone, Lindsay Silverberg 18 Computer Science Corporation: Brian O’Shea, Paul Branske 19 L-3 Link Simulation & Training: Daniel Kelly, Brian O’Shea 20 Wegmann USA Inc: Don Kemper, Dr. Dirk Schmidt 21 Meggitt Training Systems: Ronald Vadas, Kendra Hathway 22 Aechelon Technology Inc. Nacho Sanz-Pastor, Valerie Stewart 23 Calytrix Technologies Inc: Tim Pokorny, Andrew Laws 24 Boeing: Brian O’Shea, Mark E. McGraw 25 Heartwood Inc: George A. Landis, Neil Wadhawan, Ray Rice, Tara Scarrow, Bob Pergler, Raj Raheja 26 3D Perception Inc.: Adam McCard, Thomas VanAntwerp, Jørgen Mathiesen, Tony Rotheram, David Hewitt, Tom Petschau Steidel, Knut Krogstad, Karl Luis del Pozo, Alasdair MacPherson 27 Strategic Operations Inc: Stu Segall, Kit Lavell 28 VT MAK: Warren Katz, Dan Brockway 29 AVT Simulation: Lindsay Silverberg, Robert Abascal 30 Booz Allen Hamilton: Lee Falkenstrom, Brian O’Shea, Keith Catanzano, Thomas R. Crabtree, Lee Wilbur 31 American Systems: Ali Kalwar, Brian O’Shea 32 Concurrent Computer Corporation: Ken Jackson 33 Oshkosh Defense: Brian O’Shea, Dan Albrecht 34 Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics: Sharon Parsley, Leslie Holoweiko, Kenneth B. Ross, Heather Kelly, Selena M. Robinson, Lindsay Silverberg 35 Science Applications International Corporation: John H. Gully, Brian O’Shea, Al Funderburk 36 The Tatitlek Corporation: Tim Crawley, Don Bilodeau, Martin Hanofee, Roy Totemoff, Lloyd Allen, Mike Sovacool, Tiffany Flowers, Brian Cecil, Kristen L. Ball, Brian Minster, Steve Hesseltine 37 Digimation: David Avgikos 38 Bohemia Interactive Simulations: Tess Butler, Peter Morrison, Dr. Mark Dzulko 39 Disti: Lindsay Silverberg, Scott Ariotti 40 AgustaWestland: John Ponsonby, Lindsay Silverberg, Simon R. Dawes 41 Creative Technologies Inc: Stephanie Granato, Lindsay Silverberg, James H. Korris

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Utilizing multiple tools to train

. military radar operators

The U.S. armed services have many training tools at their disposal through which to actualize their philosophy of training as they fight. The effort to optimize the mix of training modes for maximum results led to the creation of the live, virtual, constructive (LVC) training environment.

Live training refers to “real people operating real systems,” according to DoD Capt. Bill Reuter Directive 5000.59-M, the DoD Modeling and Simulation Glossary. Virtual “involves real people operating simulated systems,” while the constructive domain involves machineto-machine interactions. The combination of training components from each of these domains enables the training experience to emulate real operational conditions.

The way the U.S. Navy trains airborne radar operators exemplifies this approach.

“A student training on a simulator may be Joe Louden in virtual mode,” said Captain Bill Reuter, commanding officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division. “But there may be other real players feeding into that simulator network and there may also be constructive, computer-generated threats contributing to the scenario.”

LVC came about not only to exploit emerging technologies but also to make the training process more efficient by striving toward a balance that maximizes the effectiveness and mitigates the costs of training. As virtual capabilities have improved, the Navy has traded live training for the virtual variety.

“There has been a shift from live training to synthetic pierside training,” said Joe Louden, a principal assistant program manager for training and human systems integration at PEO IWS 7C of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). “The entire fleet is moving in that direction. Once the ship gets underway, exercises become less training and more experience.”

“As budgets get cut, there are fewer flight hours available,” said Gary DeYoung, president of Battlespace Simulations, a maker of combat aviation training software that includes radar operations training.

“Because we are able to bring high fidelity simulations to an affordable level, that is what we see the military trying to do.

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By Peter Buxbaum MT2 Correspondent

“A pilot’s view of the world comes from radar,” DeYoung added.

“Closer in, he may use electro-optical of infrared sensors, but long range the primary sensor is radar.”

The U.S. military is heading in the direction of specifying that a training mode be embedded directly into radar systems that it acquires. In the Navy, the aviation side leads the way, with much of this technology already in place. For surface vessels, a special module is integrated with, but not embedded in, most radar systems. Future vessel radar acquisitions are expected to include the embedded technology. Meanwhile, the Air Force is retrofitting some of its training aircraft to incorporate combat systems training, including radar.

Training aboard Navy vessels includes radar “stimulation” as part of overall tactical training. Stimulation refers to the process of sending simulated radar signals to actual radar systems.

“The focus is on the radar operator as part of the combat system team,” said Louden. “The skills being developed include setting up the radar, which is called doctrine, and how the radar is to be configured in specific environments against specific threats.” The synthetic environment allows the vessel and its crew to virtually relocate anywhere in various weather patterns and against a variety of threats.

Besides having radar training incorporated as part of combat system training, ships also participate in multi-ship, joint and multinational training events. “These use dedicated networks to connect ships, sites and other simulators as part of coordinated, multi-platform training events,” said Louden.

The training module that has been integrated into the radar systems overseen by Louden was developed by AAI Corp. The system allows radar operators to track, classify and engage threats in a virtual environment, according to Rich Robinson, an AAI systems engineer for radar simulation products.

“What we are doing is putting a ship in a virtual situation, including threats and friendlies,” Robinson explained. “The system provides a synthetic environment including wind and sea state so that the crew can actually do a mission rehearsal in a particular area of the world.

Obstacles to radar systems such as land masses, which can block the signals, are also included.”

Don Wright, program director at AAI Training Systems, said that the improved computer processing power developed in recent years has translated into better and richer functionality for radar training simulations. “We have gone from being able to include a limited number of targets to exceeding our requirements,” he said. www.MT2-kmi.com

While NAVSEA has been satisfied with the AAI product, newer radar systems specify that a training interface be integrated.

“This will make training more efficient and effective because the radar system itself can be used in training mode,” said Louden.

“The current system requires an extra box that must be carefully calibrated with the radar systems.”

Rich Robinson Wright recognizes the trend within robinsrc@aai.textron.com the Navy of embedding training within the radar system, but added that “various fleets around the world are still using legacy systems. They see a need for a product on a miniaturized PC-based platform built on an open architecture that allows people to train like they fight,” he said.

Battlespace Simulations’ flagship product, the Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE) is an entity generator that populates Don Wright simulations with objects such as aircraft, surface-to-air missile systems, search radar, wrightdc@aai.textron.com acquisition radar, and ground troops and vehicles to provide a complete training environment.

“We are going after realistic entities. Otherwise they are not very useful,” said DeYoung. “The entities must be able to interact with each other realistically. MACE provides a battlespace representative of what you would find with an actual aircraft.”

MACE can simulate an entire Integrated Air Defense System including early warning, acquisition, height finding and target tracking radar systems, according to DeYoung. The radar component of MACE is able to analyze line-of-sight factors and account for terrain that can block radar. “You need a very large library of data behind any radar system simulation,” said DeYoung.

The U.S. Special Operations Command’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) currently trains on MACE. An earlier version of MACE, the Air Combat Environment, or ACE, is being installed on the U.S. Air Force’s T-1A training aircraft, which are being modified for Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training. “It is used to train electronic warfare officers on the principles of electronic warfare, including radar signal identification, threat reaction and weapons employment,” said DeYoung.

Camber Corporation was selected by the Air Force in 2009 to modify 21 of the T-1A aircraft to include a CSO training station. Eleven of the modified aircraft have been delivered thus far.

The T-1A aircraft are being upgraded with a suite of simulated radars, radar warning receivers, and electronic support measures, countermeasures, and weapon systems for two students and two instructors. “The instructors are able to oversee the student actions, introduce faults into the simulated systems, and insert tactical and weather scenarios into the simulated environment,” said Mike Pafford, the T-1A program manager at Camber Corporation. “The system is fed the position, altitude and speed of the aircraft so that radar simulation matches up with that the trainee would see out the window. What the student sees on the radar screen behaves just like an actual radar system.”

Camber also markets a Radar Toolkit for the development of realtime radar simulations. “The toolkit is in use around the world in support of many types of radar simulations,” said Pafford. “The toolkit www.MT2-kmi.com

allows developers to adjust the pulse and width of radar transmissions to illustrate how target detection is affected under various conditions.

The toolkit can be used to create demonstrations and exercises that reinforce classroom instruction.”

Louden expects next-generation radar training systems to include higher fidelity displays, wider varieties of simulated environments and more realistic weather effects. He noted that oncoming radar systems are becoming more automated, requiring less training for radar operators. “The training will be more downstream,” he said, “where radar data requires more interaction such as in the implementation of doctrine.”

Future radar trainers will be increasingly LVC compliant, according to Reuter, and increasingly networked so that they can accept live and virtual feeds or constructive elements of training scenarios. “They will have the ability, not only to receive, but to provide information to that LVC network,” he said.

Reuter also expects that the behavior of entities embedded in training scenarios will continue to become more and more authentic. “It is a challenging time,” he said. “As platforms continue to mature, our simulation technology needs to continue to mature to keep high fidelity simulations alive and well. Everyone is looking for ways to better leverage simulations to offset the costs of live training.” O For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

a sE ttE F rv nd rE in an E g M CE iL fo it ar r y

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ITEC is the international exhibition and conference for the military training and simulation community 22-24 May 2012, ExCeL, London reserve your place before the Early Bird rate ends, visit: www.itec.co.uk/mt2 NEW for 2012 - Cyber Security Training & Education Workshop.

More info at www.itec.co.uk/mt2cyber

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Call us on +44 (0) 20 7384 7772

MT2 17.1 | 11

DATA PACKETS Modular Range Delivered to Navy Laser Shot Inc. recently announced the building and acceptance of the U.S. Navy’s newest indoor live fire facility. The modular, non-permanent structure contains many unique innovations, and is the latest offering in Laser Shot’s growing lineup of live fire facilities.

Training has already begun in the Center for Security Force’s new 3,800-square foot Modular Indoor Firing Range facility, located at their learning site on the NSA Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. The facility is unique in the Navy in that it is the department’s only modular firing range that has a completely clear-spanned 32-foot-by-90-foot area, which allows trainees to safely advance downrange and hone their tactical skills unimpeded by interior columns, walls, or the risk of ricochet.

The range boasts state-of-the-art, touch-screen computercontrolled ventilation, lighting, security and communications systems, and can safely handle handgun, shotgun and rifle ammunition up to and including 7.62 mm x 51. Though the main granular rubber bullet trap is designed to safely capture and collect bullets fired in one direction, the entire range is protected in every direction so that rounds cannot escape or injure trainees and staff.

The facility includes its own specially-designed HVAC system and integrated control room. It was constructed, completed and accepted in less than 240 days, surviving an earthquake, a swamp fire and even a near-direct hit by Hurricane Irene. The entire process, including solicitation and award, took less than 18 total months, a far cry from the MILCON range projects averaging five years or more. The majority of the pre-fabrication took place in Sugar Land, Texas, at Laser Shot’s fabrication facility. The range’s 16 structural modules were shipped by standard flatbed trucks to the site, where they were assembled. The modules were then covered with metal siding and roof, so the building blends in with the other facilities on base. If the Navy should require relocation, the facility can be disassembled, shipped to a new location and reassembled.

Laser Shot, perhaps even more well-known for their simulation systems, offers modular ranges in multiple length and width configurations, live-fire shoot houses and completely mobile live-fire solutions as well. The Laser Shot range team has more than 70 years of combined experience in firing range design and construction.

Robert Findlay; rfindlay@lasershot.com

12 | MT2 17.1

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Hydraulic Excavator Simulator System Simformotion LLC, a provider of heavy equipment simulator training solutions, announces the release of its new Hydraulic Excavator Cat simulator system. Operators can learn the same machine applications found on actual worksites, but in the safety of a virtual environment. Authentic controls and rich graphics set the stage for users to learn several different simulated training exercises: controls familiarization, machine walk-around, bucket placement, raking the green, over the moon, loading and off-loading from a low-boy trailer, truck loading, bench loading, setting trench box and pipe, trenching, backfilling, production cycle, quick coupler and a special open training mode.

Plus, exclusive reporting features mean all simulator sessions are measured and recorded so instructors and users can track user progress. Customize simulator training based on organizational or individual needs. The PC-based simulator system offers the user the most engaging experience in virtual training today.

“Leveraging simulation technologies to help clients train their heavy equipment operators safely and cost-effectively is core to Simformotion’s business,” said Vice

President Lara Aaron. “We deliver innovative simulator technology to help our client organizations save costs on training and increase safety awareness, while giving heavy equipment operators the tool they need to build skills to enhance production techniques.”

Special features on the Hydraulic Excavator simulator system include multiple languages; track IR optical motion tracking controller, which tracks and responds to operator head movements; Buttkicker, which gives the sensation of feeling heavy equipment movements; and companion tablet eBook training.

In addition to the Hydraulic Excavator, Cat Simulators are available in models for the dozer, off-highway and mining trucks, m-series motor grader, small and large wheel loaders and wheel tractor-scraper.

Annette Bailey; abailey@simformotion.com

Upgraded RAF CH-47 Chinook Simulator Ready for Training at MSHATF Recently at the Interservice/ Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world’s largest military simulation show, CAE announced that it has completed a major upgrade to one of the CH-47 Chinook dynamic mission simulators located at CAE’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) in the United Kingdom,

and the Royal Air Force (RAF) is now training its Chinook aircrews to the new RAF CH-47 Mk4 standard.

The simulator upgrade was done in parallel with the upgrades currently being performed on the RAF’s CH-47 Chinook fleet as part of the JULIUS program.

Chris Stellwag; chris.stellwag@caemilusa.com

www.MT2-kmi.com

Military Training Technology

Dr. James T. Blake Program Executive Officer PEO STRI

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2  17.1 | 13

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation

PEO: Dr. James T. Blake (SES)

DPEO: Rob Reyenga (SES)

Acquisition Center: Joe Giunta

APEO Business Operations: Ken Wheeler

APEO Customer Support: Pete Marion

APEO Project Support: Traci Jones

PM TRADE: Col. Mike Flanagan

PM CATT: Col. Francisco Espaillat

PM ConSim: Col. Wayne Epps

PM ITTS: Col. Mike Zarbo

PM Field OPS: Russ McBride

14 | MT2 17.1

www.MT2-kmi.com

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation

PEO STRI Leadership Contact List

Program Executive Officer (SES) Dr. James T. Blake 407-384-3502

Deputy Program Executive Officer (SES) Mr. Rob Reyenga 407-384-3505

Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt. Maj. Pat Ogden 407-384-5340

Assistant Program Executive Officer for Business Operations Mr. Ken Wheeler 407-384-3506

Assistant Program Executive Officer for Project Support Ms. Traci Jones 407-384-3770

Assistant Program Executive Officer for Customer Support

Program Manager Field Operations (PM Field OPS) Mr. Russ McBride 407-384-3690

Project Manager Instrumentation, Targets and Threat Simulators (PM ITTS) Col. Mike Zarbo 407-384-5250

Project Manager Training Devices (PM TRADE) Col. Mike Flanagan 407-384-5200

Director of the Acquisition Center/ Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting (PARC) Mr. Joe Giunta 407-384-3688

Public Affairs Office 407-384-5224

Mr. Pete Marion 407-384-3799

Industry Customer Contact

Project Manager Combined Arms Tactical Trainers (PM CATT)

General Information

Col. Francisco Espaillat 407-384-3600

Project Manager Constructive Simulation (PM ConSim)

407-384-3773 407-384-3500

www.peostri.army.mil

Col. Wayne Epps 407-384-3650

10

Top

Contracts Instrumented Ranges/Digital Range Training Systems (IR/DRTS)

Warfighter FOCUS Task Order

Urban Operations Training Systems (UOTS)

Flight School XXI Task Order

SE Core CVE Management

Dismounted Soldier

I-MILES Individual Weapons System (IWS) 2010

Multi-spectral Sea and Land Target Simulator (MSALTS)

Virtual Clearance Training Suite (VCTS)

OneSAF Production

Estimated Value: $450,000,000 Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation Estimated Value: $287,000,000 Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Estimated Value: $222,000,000 Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation Estimated Value: $221,000,000 Contractor: Cubic Simulation Systems Estimated Value: $93,710,773 Contractor: FAAC Incorporated

www.MT2-kmi.com

Estimated Value: $78,276,254 Contractor: Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC Estimated Value: $72,454,014 Contractor: Computer Sciences Corporation Estimated Value: $58,114,749 Contractor: Intelligent Decisions Inc. Estimated Value: $55,815,911 Contractor: Sparta Inc.

Estimated Value: $55,007,227 Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

MT2  17.1 | 15

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation

Working toward a common goal: improving efficiencies.

By Kristen A. McCullough, U.S. Army PEO STRI Even before organizations across the Army and Department of Defense were asked to “do more without more,” the U.S Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) was realizing savings through a simple yet multifaceted concept: teamwork.

“As you know, the Army is a ‘we’ organization, not a ‘me’ organization. PEO STRI is one element of the Army team working to ensure our military is the best trained fighting force in the world,” said Dr. James Blake, the program executive officer for PEO STRI. Working with other Army elements and with other military services toward a common goal has produced fiscal efficiencies through reduced manpower, elimination of duplicative efforts and subsequent lower costs, Blake said. Different approaches to teamwork yield different benefits, yet all can lead to high-quality products for warfighters at demonstrably lower costs than if the products had been undertaken by PEO STRI alone.

One Design, Many Uses PEO STRI’s egress assistance trainer programs are key examples.

When PEO STRI received an Operational Needs Statement July 2006 to procure a training device to limit injuries sustained during vehicular rollovers, a joint effort was launched to rapidly develop the HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT), which instructs soldiers on how to safely get out of an overturned vehicle. Working with PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support, engineering assistance from the Research, Development and Engineering Command’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center and manufacturing capability at Red River Army Depot, the HEAT was developed in five months and deployed around the globe, to include locations in the theaters of operation, by September 2007.

Using the same construct and design premise as the HEAT, PEO STRI soon after developed the MRAP Egress Assistance Trainer (MET) to teach soldiers how to properly exit a rolled-over MRAP vehicle.

“By adding the additional design capabilities of the eight different MRAP vehicle cabs to the already proven HEAT system, the team provided a training capability in nine short months from concept development to the first fielding location at Camp Buehring, Kuwait,” said Frank Schlemmer, project director for the HEAT and MET devices.

The HMMWV and MRAP egress trainers, both of which are Army solutions for Army problems, not only train soldiers, but warfighters from the other services that are getting ready to deploy to the combat zone.

“A U.S. Central Command message from April 17, 2010, requires all troops, civilians, contractors and foreign nationals that are required 16 | MT2 17.1

to ride in an MRAP vehicle to go through the training drills on the MET,” Schlemmer noted. Back in November 2010, the trainers at Camp Buehring alone trained 100,000 servicemembers prior to their deployment to Iraq. To date, each of the military services has the following number of MET devices: Army – 47, Air Force – 20, Marine Corps – 18, and Navy – 10, each training hundreds and thousands of combat-bound personnel worldwide.

“We know we are not in this alone. Just like our soldiers are working hand in hand with their fellow Marines, sailors and airmen in Iraq and Afghanistan, we in the simulation and training community— military, contractors and academia alike—are one force supporting the strongest armed forces in the world,” Blake commented.

Industry Partners Much like PEO STRI’s teaming with other Army groups, the organization also partners with those in the modeling and simulation industry to ensure our warfighters are receiving the best possible training, even in this era of budgetary constraints. Although government partnering with industry is not an efficiency in and of itself, it certainly proves to be a wise way to do business.

For instance, PEO STRI—in partnership with its industry partners—enhanced the Common Driver Trainer program to include the MRAP all terrain vehicle (M-ATV). With guidance from the Department of the Army and the expertise from industry, PEO STRI was able to field M-ATV driver trainers quickly and affordably. The M-ATV variant for the Common Driver Trainer allows soldiers to drive these vehicles before they get to Afghanistan and under a number of hazardous driving conditions like narrow roadways and inclement weather.

“The M-ATV Common Driver Trainer was tasked to PEO STRI June 26, 2009, and we fielded the first system November 19, 2009,” said Major Cassandra Forrester, the project director, noting a mere 147 day turnaround from receiving the requirement to getting the trainer into the hands of the warfighter.

PEO STRI looks at the Common Driver Trainer program as a prime example of efficiency. This family of simulators has stepped up to the plate time and time again to meet the training requirements of our Army. Using common components, the simulator can be transformed to train soldiers to drive everything from a Stryker to a tank to an MRAP. “The cost avoidance yielded by using the existing Common Driver Trainer design is valued at approximately $24.3 million,” Forrester advised.

Additionally, PEO STRI recently integrated the geo-specific terrain database for Afghanistan into the Common Driver Trainer program.

Because of these efforts, soldiers can virtually drive on the actual streets www.MT2-kmi.com

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation

of Afghanistan. Similarly, they added the Afghanistan database into other simulators, like the Close Combat Tactical Trainer, Call for Fire Trainer, Advanced Gunnery Training System, Common Driver Trainer and Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer, thereby allowing soldiers to virtually train in their actual assigned deployment locations. As one can imagine, the imagery significantly adds to the fidelity of the training, and the technology reuse undeniably decreases the expense of the realism.

Geographic Efficiency The ease with which PEO STRI teams with other organizations can often be attributed to its location in Central Florida, known to many as the mecca for military modeling and simulation. As part of “Team Orlando,” PEO STRI sits alongside all of the military services’ primary simulation and training providers, academic institutions that focus on simulation and industry partners that provide expertise to the military and universities.

This collaborative spirit dates back to 1950 when the Army and Navy simulation components signed an agreement to work in partnership on training and simulation systems that train our servicemembers.

The signing of the document launched a lasting training partnership that recently reached its 60-year anniversary and is the longest known standing agreement between any of the U.S. military services.

The strong relationship between the services continues to yield fiscal efficiencies. For example, PEO STRI signed an agreement with the Marine Corps’ Program Manager for Training Systems to work together on live training systems. When the Marine Corps saw that nearly 80 percent of their requirements were already being met by the Army through the Homestation Instrumentation Training System program, they piggybacked on the Army to get the training into the hands of Marines more quickly and save program dollars.

“The Marine Corps’ estimated cost and schedule for building a new alternative system would be approximately $19 million and nine years,” said Michael Dillon, the PEO STRI project director for the effort. The Marine Corps’ actual cost of leveraging the Army’s 80 percent solution was $8 million and the actual time spent from concept development to fielding was two years. Because of the time and money saved, the Marine Corps reimbursed the Army $300,000.

“The effort resulted in a quicker, more affordable production of training capabilities for our non-Department of Defense customer,” Jimenez noted. It also led to the content creation of scenarios that are of use to Army soldiers and “greatly enhanced the original product at a significantly reduced—and shared—cost.”

Although partnership and teamwork does have its challenges—like the time it takes to spend coordinating efforts, the concern about control and each party upholding their end of the bargain—PEO STRI senior leaders and program managers alike agree that the rewards greatly outweigh the trials.

“When meeting the demands of our uniformed servicemembers, we see an immense value in collaborating, coordinating and cooperating with the joint community, our industry partners and academia,” Blake concluded. “Shared education and experience fosters expertise, and we use that expertise to provide efficiencies in the products and services we provide to our customers.” O Kristen A. McCullough is the U.S. Army PEO STRI public affairs officer. She holds a B.S. in print journalism and political science from the University of Miami and an M.S. in political science from the University of Central Florida.

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

Agency Collaboration Collaboration also provides interagency efficiencies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses PEO STRI’s Intelligence Electronic Warfare Tactical Proficiency Trainer to help law enforcement students with their interviewing skills. The technology reuse reduces the cost of creating a new but similar technology, and the high expense of hiring instructors and role players.

“DHS realized cost benefits by reducing the number of instructor hours because the system is made available to students in a self-operated mode for after-hour use,” said Rick Jimenez, the system’s lead engineer.

“Students practice basic interviewing skills in a virtual environment, which prepares the student for a more productive engagement in front of live role players, thereby reducing the number of role-player hours required for training.”

Due to the savings yielded from the acquisition approach of leveraging an existing contract and training capabilities, PEO STRI and DHS were able to apply those resources to scenario and content generation for the system. www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2 17.1 | 17

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation

Operations Trainer Maintaining High Operational Tempo

Q& A

Dr. James T. Blake PEO PEO STRI Q: What is PEO STRI’s strategy to maximize resources with budget cuts looming in order to continue to provide soldiers with the decisive edge in training?

A: The Army has a responsibility to its soldiers, most who’ve served multiple tours in combat, to maintain the high operational tempo in training that they have come to expect in their current environment.

One of the primary ways the simulation and training community is achieving high-intensity training during this time of budgetary constraints is using common components to not only enhance training for soldiers, but also help warfighters across the other services.

Q: How does PEO STRI use common components for training devices?

A: We use common components within and across domains to improve interoperability and save money. In the live domain for example, we have Live Training Transformation [LT2]. The product line provides state-of-the-art training systems to the warfighter by using common reusable software components, architectural infrastructure, interfaces, standards, processes and assets. By making the product line a “one size fits all” in commonality and reusability, it has proven to significantly reduce costs for the Army and other military services. In fact, it has generated an estimated $350 million in cost avoidance for the Army.

constructive and game-based training devices that they can use to build tailored or unique training scenarios. We are working in concert with a veteran-owned small business to make LVC-IA a reality for our Army.

Q: What other military services have benefited from LT2?

A: The Marine Corps realized significant savings using the LT2 product line when developing its Instrumented Training System. Using 87 percent of LT2’s product line software, the Corps not only saved $11 million in development and acquisition costs, but also completed the project seven years sooner than originally planned.

Additionally, when the Air Force looked at developing a Counter Improvised Explosive Device After Action Review System, they turned to the Army’s LT2 product line. With little development investment, they were able to quickly field seven training systems to meet their IED training needs to support deploying personnel at four bases.

The LT2 product line has been used by more than 16 major Army and DoD live training programs, with more than 130 systems fielded.

Q: How is PEO STRI addressing the increase in demand on the homestation training enablers at each installation?

A: Together with our TRADOC counterparts, we’re leading the way for the Army’s homestation training campaign as we’re set to unveil the first blended training environment to Fort Hood, Texas, this summer.

With the Live, Virtual and Constructive-Integrating Architecture [LVC-IA] capability, commanders will have a toolkit of live, virtual, 18 | MT2 17.1

Q: How does new simulation gear make force-on-force training on posts as realistic as running operations at Maneuver Combat Training Centers [CTCs]?

A: The Homestation Instrumentation Training System [HITS] supports a commander’s ability to prepare his or her battle staffs for force-onforce engagements.

HITS, a data collection system for live training—coupled with other virtual and constructive simulators—comprises the blended training environment, which will provide the Army a more resourceefficient training capability and offer soldiers more realistic training and mission rehearsal events.

This training at homestation is intended to enable a unit to hone its skills before going to the CTCs and to retain their fighting prowess after they return from theater.

Q: How does PEO STRI train warfighters to deal with cultural differences when deployed to regions where cultural norms vary greatly from here at home?

A: There are a number of techniques used to address cultural differences. For example under the Army Games for Training program, we www.MT2-kmi.com

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MT2 17.1 | 19

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation

field a bilateral negotiation trainer, called BiLAT. It’s a 3-D simulation designed to provide an immersive training environment for soldiers to practice skills in conducting meetings and negotiations in a specific cultural context. Students virtually assume the role of a U.S. Army officer to conduct a series of bilateral meetings with local leaders to achieve mission objectives.

We’re partnered with a number of organizations—namely, the University of California’s Institute for Creative Technologies, U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, U.S. Army Research Laboratory Human Research and Engineering Directorate and U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s Simulation and Training Technology Center—to get this training into the hands of warfighters.

Q: How does PEO STRI prepare soldiers for the cultural differences they will face, specifically during urban operations?

A: Together with our industry partner, we’re fielding an updated Human Intelligence Control Cell (HCC) simulator to assist intelligence gatherers get the best training possible. Because of this instruction, human intelligence and counterintelligence soldiers are able to refine their skills in tactical questioning, source operations, interrogations, screenings and the use of an interpreter. Trainees are placed in an immersive environment that replicates the culture, language, scenario context and lifelike interactions typical of an intelligence mission.

Currently, HCC is offered in English, Standard Arabic, Korean, Spanish, French and Portuguese, with Pashtu and Dari planned for future language development. We work closely with the Intelligence Center of Excellence in Fort Huachuca, Ariz., to determine any future language needs.

Q: How important is PEO STRI’s relationship with industry?

A: Although for many years we, PEO STRI, were trying everything in our power to expedite contract awards while adhering to better buying power principles, we have a responsibility to meet DoD’s new requirements put forth for the acquisition community.

Now, we’re taking a hard look at the types of contracts we award, pushing toward incentive contracts, favoring fixed-price contracts, and examining contract award periods. We regularly communicate with our industry partners so they are aware of contracting activity, any emerging contract delays and the reasons for the delays.

At the end of the day, we—government and industry, together— are still one team doing our very best to support the soldier.

Q: What is the biggest challenge in working with industry to acquire products vital to training U.S. forces?

A: Even in this era of budgetary constraints and increased oversight, our primary objective is to ensure responsiveness. One new way we plan to maintain a high level of responsiveness is through awarding a multiple-award IDIQ contract for services.

Q: What’s PEO STRI’s relationship with the small-business sector of its industry base?

A: In accordance with the Army’s standard and expectations, we review all of our acquisitions for small business opportunities with an eye on limiting the vendor base as appropriate.

In fiscal year 2011, we awarded $309 million to small businesses, and it’s our goal to create an upward momentum for these companies in the coming years.

Q: How does PEO STRI support small businesses?

A: The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) within PEO STRI advocates for small business enterprises. In meeting PEO STRI’s contracting mission, the office implements strategies that provide the maximum procurement opportunities to small businesses.

OSBP maintains a portal on our website completely dedicated to “doing business with PEO STRI.” Small companies interested in competing for awards should consider using the tools provided at this site.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say that I have not asked?

A: There’s an intense focus on training at the squad level right now.

We expect to see an increased emphasis over the next year to provide high-fidelity complex training environments for the individual soldier, who’s bearing the brunt of the load in combat. We’re just on the brink of addressing those needs with the Dismounted Soldier Training System. We expect to begin fielding this year.

Mission First. People Always. Army Strong! O

20 | MT2 17.1

www.MT2-kmi.com

DATA PACKETS

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

New Server-Based Solution Presagis, a provider of commercial off-the-shelf modeling, simulation and embedded graphics solutions, announced Presagis SEGen Server, a costeffective, server-based software solution for the run-time generation of highfidelity, highly realistic synthetic environments based on the Common Database (CDB) specification.

Today the modeling and simulation industry is being driven by users to deliver ever more realistic training environments to ensure an effective and immersive experience. The growing need for larger virtual training environments that cross geographies and terrain types, as well as the support for complex multi-domain simulation scenarios, is driving development of innovative solutions to meet these requirements.

“Presagis is helping organizations break cost and time boundaries associated with the development of very large or highly detailed databases through the delivery of SEGen Server and the ability to procedurally generate synthetic environments at run-time,” said Eric Simon, vice president of modeling and simulation solutions and services at Presagis. “This new innovative product from Presagis ensures interoperability and reusability of databases across projects, while further allowing users to quickly realize return-on-investment by reducing database development time and costs while optimizing the use and the allocation of development resources.”

SEGen Server is based on a cutting-edge, procedural modeling methodology that speeds and eases synthetic environment construction while containing costs and decreasing project delivery risk. Teams developing training or simulation applications can immediately benefit from the ability to quickly deliver realistic, large area terrain representations of any location on the globe, up to 1m resolution, while benefiting from correlation for visualization and simulation applications.

With the introduction of SEGen Server, Presagis is meeting user demands for increased realism by delivering an open, affordable, standards-based solution for on-the-fly generation of any environment in the world. Leveraging CDB streamlines and simplifies database development, supports imagery, raster materials, and 3-D models, and eases the ongoing update of visual and simulation applications. By allowing users to quickly make changes, or add data to the CDB repository, organizations avoid time-consuming recompiling of data.

Further, SEGen Server displays both procedurally generated imagery alongside geo-specific imagery with minimal required manual editing of the database. By eliminating the need to invest in costly database development efforts, satellite imagery and data storage, SEGen Server saves the user valuable time, money and resources.

Presagis SEGen Server will become generally available in early 2012.

Verena Garofalo; verena.garofalo@presagis.com

Projector Improves Night Vision The high resolution FS32 IR uses projectiondesign’s second generation solidstate ReaLED illumination system that works to improve and assist the creation of deeper black levels and brighter visual light output over any other competing LED projector.

Typically, LED projectors have red, green and blue LED light sources. The FS32 IR adds a fourth LED that emits infrared light beyond the range visible to the human eye, thus enabling the projector to produce brighter night vision imagery when stimulated by night vision goggles (NVGs).

LED illumination removes the need to use more traditional lamps and color wheels, ensuring no recalibration and delivering a completely stable image, with a typical service life of 100,000 hours. Maintenance costs are drastically reduced, ensuring the FS32 IR is the most cost-efficient IR projector available.

The FS32 IR is available in HD (1,920 x 1,080) or WUXGA (1,920 or 1,200) resolutions. The FS32 IR offers user configurable IR wavelengths to optimize alignment according to customer-specific requirements.

The flexibility of the FS32 IR projector is matched with its use in real-world simulation training scenarios. Often those that operate NVGs adapt their vision to unaided eye vision, alternating as needed to night vision. The FS32 IR has been specifically engineered to accommodate the full spectrum technique of light illumination for simulation and training applications, displaying RGB and IR simultaneously. www.MT2-kmi.com

When combined with today’s leading image generators in integrated systems, the FS32 IR ensures that training scenarios requiring day and night vision produce simultaneous viewing for daytime and with infrared light for limited visibility. What’s more, infrared power adjustments of the projectors can be made ensuring system flexibility and connectivity, which allows 0-100 percent output control.

The FS32 IR Smear Reduction Processing feature ensures the ability to reduce motion artifacts in high-speed imaging, while dramatically increasing the effectiveness of NVG stimulation, even in the darkest of simulated night scenes.

Mike Raines, visual simulation manager at projectiondesign, said: “The FS32 IR projector is the result of an intense period of receiving key customer feedback and our focused engineering effort to develop a product which sharply addresses the critical need of NVG training applications. Our efforts have gained considerable momentum and interest as the technology was previewed throughout the year.

“We’re delighted to now be able to announce its availability for effective, trueto-life simulation of low-ambient light operations. The projector is brighter than any competing product in day mode and the LED technology actually works to improve the night vision system capability. As such, it is designed for full mission training, air-traffic control, and any application where the trainee is wearing NVGs.” Håkon Andersen; hakon.andersen@projectiondesign.com MT2 17.1 | 21

Strategy Provider

Q& A

Guiding Strategic Focus for Maneuver Force Training Major General Robert B. Brown Commanding General Maneuver Center of Excellence Major General Robert B. Brown is the commanding general for the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) at Fort Benning. He was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in 1981 upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Brown brings a diverse 30-year background of Light, Mechanized, and Stryker assignments to Fort Benning that includes command at every level from company to brigade. He commanded the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (the Army’s second Brigade Combat Team), for three and a half years—to include a 12-month rotation to Mosul, Iraq—and later served as the deputy commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, where he deployed a second time to northern Iraq. During his career, Brown has also supported Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Q: What is your role and what impact do the MCoE initiatives have on the Army?

A: As the commanding general at MCoE, my role is to provide a strategic focus for maneuver force training, doctrine, capabilities and initiatives; to ensure we are preparing the Army for the current complex and uncertain operating environment; and to prepare the Army for the future.

Our number one priority as we look to the future is Squad: Foundation of the Decisive Force. We chose to focus on the squad because it is the building block for our platoons and companies; it is the tip of the spear. The squad is the one formation in which the enemy can take advantage of a similar force structure and weapons systems to try to make it a fair fight. We never want a fair fight; we always seek to overmatch our enemies. One of the vulnerabilities is that we are still using World War II technology at the squad level. Maps and radios provide the same situational awareness that troops had in World War II, yet these are still the primary command and control tools of the squads. To provide 21st-century situational awareness—taking into consideration all of the advancements in technology—and enabling them access to link into critical combat multipliers, we have to get the squad into the existing network just like every other formation. This is a critical gap we have to close to ensure our squads always maintain overmatch in combat.

Not only do squads need to be focused on measures of effectiveness at the formation level, these soldiers have to be provided with more realistic training at their home station units—training that is easy to access, easy to coordinate and replicates the complex operating environments they have been operating in and will face in the future. The key to training for future operations is what we refer to as 21st-century maneuver training or the blended training model. The MCoE is working with other Army Training and Doctrine Command [TRADOC] organizations, such as the National Simulations Center and the Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation [PEO-STRI], to develop the best systems for this effort 22 | MT2 17.1

and develop a training model that synthesizes live, virtual, constructive and gaming environments into a training strategy that will accurately replicate the current and anticipated complex operating environments.

Historically we have always sought to spend maximum time conducting live training, but in the current environment, live training—even at our world-class combat training centers—cannot fully replicate the complexities of the modern battlefield. The right mix of live, virtual, constructive and gaming can provide the most effective and efficient training. It can provide an environment that better replicates complex real-world scenarios and distributes training across a larger audience at a lower cost than live training alone can provide. The Maneuver Center is working toward determining what is the right amount and mix of these training elements to achieve that goal of enhanced and realistic home station unit training.

We are also working to determine what the brigade combat team of the future will look like as part of the Army 2020 initiative. We currently have Stryker brigades, heavy brigade combat teams, and infantry brigade combat teams in our force structure. We are looking at which formations provide the most flexibility to meet combatant commanders’ requirements in the future and how we tailor our brigades to meet those requirements. This initiative is continuing to evolve as the Army determines what we will look like from a larger force structure standpoint.

The final critical initiative is one of our most important focus areas—21st-century leader development. This training is critical to put the best agile and adaptive leaders in front of our troops on the www.MT2-kmi.com

battlefield today and in the future. It is ingraining the agile leader mindset into our trainees so they understand “how” to think, not “what” to think. In the past, as we trained young leaders in the Army, we talked about starting with the basics. Over the past 10 years, the basics have changed and we need to change our training to challenge young leaders to learn faster and master more complex problems more quickly than in the past. Our soldiers face uncertainty daily on the battlefield and must make clear and decisive decisions to accomplish their missions and protect their troops. Notice that I did not say quick decisions, because although some leadership tasks such as battle drills must be reactive, most of the decisions that young leaders must make on the battlefield today have to take into account the entire picture of friendly, enemy, partner, civilian populations and the second and third order effects of their decisions. In testimony before the Senate Arms Services Committee earlier this year, General Martin Dempsey, now the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said one of the biggest lessons that we learned from Iraq was that we needed to take more time to look at complex problems before immediately determining a solution and acting decisively. He quoted Einstein saying, “If you have an hour to save the world, spend 55 minutes of it understanding the problem and five minutes of it trying to solve it.” This is what we are trying to capture as we implement the Army Learning Model and move our leader development and training methodology to the next level.

Q: How have experiences from previous assignments helped with your role at the MCoE? A: I have been fortunate to have an incredibly diverse career background. I served in light and mechanized units as a company grade and field grade officer. I was the assistant director of the Performance Enhancement Program at West Point, which has a direct correlation to increasing proficiency in training. I commanded a mechanized battalion—2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas— which deployed to Bosnia and then commanded the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, the Army’s second Stryker brigade. All of these experiences provided me with a greater breadth of understanding of the needs for training armor and infantry soldiers. For example, with the unique systems inherent in the first Stryker brigades, specifically the network and the speed of movement, that meant that we had to change the way we trained leaders, so they were more agile and adaptive. This was a very powerful experience, seeing leaders grow in the brigade and then watching the results in combat as we were able to take advantage of the network and fusion to increase our speed in reacting to the enemy and getting ahead of him in his decision cycle. At the Maneuver Center, we are applying many of the same training techniques that we used in the brigade and what I learned in the Performance Enhancement Program to the training that we are doing at Fort Benning every day. In fact, we have started a Performance Enhancement Program linked to the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program and it is paying huge dividends in increasing the effectiveness of our courses by refining teaching techniques and better preparing students for instruction at the beginning of the course.

I also have been fortunate to have worked with many great leaders and have learned a tremendous amount of techniques to build teams in my career. This, coupled with the foundation that was laid for the Maneuver Center transformation and the dedicated leaders at the installation, has been very important as we have brought the Armor School, Infantry School, and the Maneuver Center staff and www.MT2-kmi.com

directorates together this first year. All of these unique and complex organizations have had to focus as one team on the objective of providing the best trained soldiers for the maneuver force, while we also move forward with all of the initiatives that we described earlier to continue to change with the realities of the complex environment we fight in every day. The Maneuver Center is truly a team of teams all working in the same direction.

Q: How is the MCoE moving forward with Armor and Infantry training at Fort Benning?

A: Now that the Armor School and Infantry School are at Fort Benning, we are continually assessing the courses and looking for opportunities to maximize the synergy and integrate courses as appropriate to fully expose these respective soldiers to one another’s capabilities and what they bring to the fight. We recognize and value the fact that armor and infantry are separate branches and will remain separate. Our focus in training has been to integrate and synchronize training where appropriate, maximizing opportunities of each branch’s strengths and capabilities. The schools are continually refining and adapting training to conform to the tenets of the Army Learning Model, as well as preparing soldiers to fight today’s battles and prepare for the complexities of tomorrow.

Two areas we have already integrated some training are with the Non-Commissioned Officer [NCO] Academy and in the Maneuver Captains Career Course. In the NCO academy, although the Advanced Leaders Course for sergeants and junior staff sergeants remains branchspecific, our Senior Leaders Course that trains senior staff sergeants and sergeants first class is now an integrated armor and infantry program of instruction. This means that senior non-commissioned officers from both branches are training together and sharing experiences that will make them better leaders as they go back to the field and have to cooperate and collaborate with their maneuver partner on their flank to accomplish missions in a very difficult environment.

In the Maneuver Captains Career Course, armor and infantry captains train together in one course, and we have increased the amount of experience they gain in this training through simulation. Prior to 2011, captains in the Maneuver Captains Career Course planned and briefed eight operations orders to their small group leaders, but only executed two of those missions in simulation. Within the past year, we’ve developed scenarios that allow students to execute all eight missions in simulation, reinforcing the cause and effect relationship of planning through execution, as well as providing a venue to train and evaluate their decision-making skills. We are also integrating with other Centers of Excellence across the Army via networked simulations in order to replicate the task organization and enablers our leaders will have when conducting operations in a deployed environment. We are also looking at opportunities to combine elements of our Bradley and Tank Master Gunner Course programs of instruction as well other opportunities such as having Armor and Infantry Basic Leader Courses work together and combine training where possible.

Over time, through the efforts of our senior leadership and through the integration of small unit leaders, we also expect to see an evolution in the programs of instruction of critical courses. We will continue to expand the use of simulations to achieve 21st-century maneuver training, which effectively combines live, virtual, constructive and gaming environments. We have focused a significant amount of effort on the human dimension of soldier and leader training as well. We recently started integrating a program called Advanced Situational Awareness Training, which teaches soldiers and leaders methods of recognizing MT2 17.1 | 23

and analyzing human behavior, into our courses. They will be able to establish baselines of “normal” behaviors within specific locations or environments so they can better recognize anomalies and make predictions before an event occurs. This effort aligns under the 21st-century leader development initiative we are moving forward.

Q: How is the MCoE focusing on the future requirements for the Maneuver Force?

A: The Maneuver Center is becoming one of the major test beds for training technology. The Maneuver Center conducts research, development and experimentation to ensure our future Maneuver Force is prepared and equipped to fight and win in a complex operating environment. Through doctrine development, leveraging emerging technology and partnering with industry, the Maneuver Center is an advocate for the maneuver force.

Preparing the force for the future is absolutely crucial, in terms of technology, equipment, and leader development and training. We have to continue to lean forward. Change is always hard. But to prepare for the future properly, it takes change. We have to look at how we can work through the challenges—funding, time constraints and the current high-operational tempo—so that we can truly shape the force for the future in the way we need.

One of the key ways the Army determines what the force needs is through experimentation. The Maneuver Battle Lab supports current force development and informs future force and modernization efforts by conducting experiments. Experimenting with technology is crucial, but just as important is experimenting with training and doctrine.

Experiences from the last 10 years really highlight that technology and materiel cannot always carry the day. What has to really be cultivated is the human dimension, an individual’s ability to effectively employ the technology and materiel to achieve a desired effect. So, not only are we a hotbed for testing technologies with the Experimentation Force [EXFOR] assigned to Fort Benning, we also are at the forefront of experimenting training concepts and doctrine for the future.

In September, we broke ground on a new Maneuver Battle Lab simulations facility that is a key piece of the consolidation of the Infantry Center Battle Lab and the Armor Center’s Mounted Maneuver Battle Lab. This facility is a $30 million investment that will offer a 88,000-square-foot constructive environment and include a state of the art 200-person classroom, multiple large and small simulation bays that can networked and reconfigured, and also house all of the constructive simulations equipment that will be used for future experimentation. When complete, the new simulation facility, combined with the virtual capability housed in Mabry Hall at Fort Benning, will make the Maneuver Battle Lab the Army Training and Doctrine Command’s premier facility for experimentation, and play a prominent role in all future Army experiments. The experimentation efforts planned at Fort Benning will help to share the structure, organization and brigade combat team modernization efforts for the Army of the future.

In addition, Fort Benning annually hosts the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment [AEWE] campaign, which is the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command’s live, prototype experimentation campaign.

AEWE provides capability developers, the science and technology community and industry a repeatable, credible, rigorous and validated operational experiment venue to support DoD concepts and materiel development efforts. By linking AEWE to critical programs, program managers, TRADOC capabilities managers and program executive officers can leverage this soldier-focused, network-enabled venue to 24 | MT2 17.1

enhance their program objectives and get equipment in the hands of soldiers early, enabling industry to accelerate prototype development.

Its primary focus is on the soldier and small unit—examining concepts and capabilities for the current and future force across war fighting functions. While AEWE began simply as a venue to assess the military value of technologies in a networked tactical environment, it has, in fact, become a focal point for industry, science and technology and government development labs to accelerate solutions to the force.

The soldiers who are the experimental force are veteran combat warriors who have also experienced deployments and have some great ideas of what the force needs. Through AEWE, these soldiers can provide input to industry. The entire AEWE campaign is built on mutual trust with our science and technology partners. The campaign is not about passing or failing—or even rating technologies. That would be a little unfair to our industry partners. It is about collaboration and providing a venue to gain insight into how a technology may or may not work when applied.

This year, the AEWE Spiral G overarching objective was to support and inform Squad: Foundation of the Decisive Force. Objectives focused on enabling the squad to maintain overmatch so they could set favorable conditions to out-maneuver the enemy rather than reacting to surprise and uncertainty. AEWE Spiral G sought solutions in the areas of training, leader development and materiel [network, mobility, force protection, power and energy, and lethality].

Spiral G experimented with more than 40 technologies, and more than 100 government and contractor personnel participated in this experiment. Additionally, more than 60 EXFOR from Fort Benning and Fort Bliss and 30 opposing force soldiers provided by TRADOC Intelligence Support Activity participated in the three-case experiment. The Army Test and Evaluation Center was the evaluator of AEWE, providing insights in the areas of soldier power, soldier resupply, robotic systems [ground and air], the robotics section and communications, and an early assessment of promising technologies. The insights gained from AEWE will help Army leaders design, organize and equip the current force and the future force to ensure the United States remains the premier fighting force in the world.

Next up will be Spiral H, which is on track for January-February 2013. Spiral H objectives include identifying and assessing solutions that enhance networked capabilities of the soldier and small unit [mounted and dismounted]; identifying and assessing solutions for soldier load, power and energy generation, storage or distribution, advanced unmanned systems and small unit resupply; identifying and assessing systems that enhance small unit training, mission planning and rehearsals, enhance training and leader development and/or reduce the cognitive load on leaders; identifying and assessing mounted and dismounted systems that enhance lethality, mobility and force protection for soldiers and small units; identifying and assessing doctrine and materiel solutions to counter advanced enemy threats and capabilities; and enabling the squad to achieve overmatch by seeking capability gap solutions in the areas of fire support.

For 21st-century maneuver training, we also have established an Immersive Training/Learning Lab to bring new training and learning technologies to soldiers and trainers to assess their usefulness. This project is still in its early stages, but we expect it will become a valuable tool for our industry partners to get feedback from soldiers on technologies they are developing or have already developed. This will help continue to establish requirements for future training systems by allowing us to see the latest technology and envision the realm of possibilities. O www.MT2-kmi.com

TechNet-Orlando: 11 Years of Supporting the Simulation & Training Community

By Terri Bernhardt Team Orlando, the leader in simulation and training technologies, has become known for its world-class support to our men and women in uniform. The level of simulation and training technologies evolving over the years in Central Florida has not only captured the attention of the nation, but led local professional association leaders to initiate an annual conference, which began back in 2001.

From inception, TechNet-Orlando has provided extraordinary access to the most current and relevant thoughts of our senior leaders in the military, industry and academia, with a focus on command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, or C4ISR technologies. As this nation continues to fight a war halfway around the world, it’s absolutely essential that we understand and assess the C4ISR requirements of our armed forces—and how these needs relate to our local simulation and training community.

TechNet-Orlando is sponsored by the Orlando Chapters of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). It’s a forum where, for the past 11 years, the most senior leaders have come together to address both near-term and future needs of both U.S. and coalition forces. It provides an excellent venue for better understanding and collaborating on potential solutions in a world of declining resources. “Celebrating 11 years of the TechNet-Orlando Conference is indeed significant, as the very first conference focused on the 21st-century warfighter,” stated Fred Eisele, program chair, TechNet-Orlando. “Meaningful to note is the significant growth in the simulation and training industry, the enhancement of technologies supporting the same mission, and the list of distinguished speakers and participants throughout the years of the conference.”

This year’s theme was “Meeting the Warfighters’ Full Spectrum Operations Challenge.” Discussion topics included homeland defense, irregular warfare, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, testing, training, operational deployment and acquisition. And for 11 years, the conference has fostered an open and frank dialogue amongst key officials within the military, other government agencies, industry and academia. “You’d be hard pressed to find another conference that offers a higher ratio of the number of senior level speakers to the number of audience participants,” stated Jerry Stahl, Conference chair. “TechNet-Orlando not only offers an outstanding array of speakers, but a unique opportunity to network with these same speakers on a one-on-one basis—year after year, both speakers and participants simply love this type of interaction.”

Over the course of two and a half days, TechNet-Orlando participants discussed C4ISR from the perspective of three levels of war: strategic, operational and tactical. They discussed C4ISR from different organizational perspectives: service-unique, joint, interagency and multi-national coalition forces. They also discussed C4ISR from the standpoint of requirements, support, training and acquisition. “Who knew 11 years ago we would have a two-hour panel on the ever-increasing threats to Americans through communications, cyberspace and man-made catastrophes,” Stahl said. “The top threats to our warfighters have changed dramatically, and we’ve taken a closer look at the important role C4ISR will continue to have in combating these threats.” www.MT2-kmi.com

Maj. Gen. (retired) Bill Bond, USA-RET, moderates the panel addressing Testing, Training, Modeling Simulation and Acquisition during TechNet-Orlando. [Photo courtesy of Team Orlando]

Major General Nick Justice, USA, facilitated a panel on Joint Warfighter Requirements and Challenges, which offered a viewpoint from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and joint services. There was a common thread from each panelist: Technology is advancing and fiscal resources are declining. Several other key points during this session included how rapidly technology has revolutionized communication and that “networking the force” is still the Army’s top priority. Brigadier General (P) Lee Price moderated a panel on C4ISR Support to the Warfighter, in which panelists from the military and industry examined and discussed the ever-changing threats to our warfighters posed by terrorists and cyber attacks. And Major General (R) Bill Bond chaired a panel on Testing, Training, Modeling, Simulation, and Acquisition, which addressed such issues as assuring our warfighters are properly equipped and trained during a period of rebalancing our forces.

As an added feature, TechNet-Orlando offered two professional education sessions on medical simulation and training. The first session’s topic allowed individuals direct access to the military and industry leaders in Central Florida who are working diligently to provide simulation and training products to our combat medics and military healthcare providers. The second medical simulation session took a more national, civilian perspective by examining medical simulation and training from industry’s point of view. Both sessions discussed how simulation is changing health care and the way health care providers are being trained and educated.

In summary, TechNet-Orlando continues to be an extremely important professional development forum for the entire Central Florida area. The Orlando chapters of AFCEA and AUSA are grateful for the continued support from the local military, industry and academic community and are proud to jointly sponsor what has become the only annual C4ISR conference in the Orlando area. Thanks goes out to all the dedicated professionals who helped make this happen!

MT2 17.1 | 25

COMMAND PROFILE

Operations in Hazardous Environments

Northern Warfare Training Center: Training in extreme conditions to minimize threats.

Operating in a cold and mountainous environment is oftentimes a hazardous endeavor that requires the utilization of special skills and training. History has shown that when militaries were unprepared for the extreme conditions encountered in these environments, they suffered large casualty rates and in general were unsuccessful. Prior to entering into World War II, the U.S. Army recognized this trend and established a specialized training program to prepare soldiers for this specific environment. Today the U.S. Army’s Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC) is still training and preparing soldiers to fight and win under those same conditions.

The Northern Warfare Training Center is a TRADOC accredited Institution of Excellence located in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, that specializes in cold weather and military mountaineering training. Originally established in 1948 as the U.S. Army Arctic Indoctrination School in Fort Greely, Alaska, it was later combined with the U.S. Army Cold Weather and Mountain school from Fort Carson, Colo., and moved to the Black Rapids Training Site (BRTS). In 1963 the Army re-designated the unit as the Northern Warfare Training Center and tasked the unit with training individual soldiers and units in cold weather and mountain operations.

NWTC conducts its training at the Black Rapids Training Site, a remote site located in the formidable Alaska Mountain Range in the interior of Alaska. The site is an ideal location for cold weather and mountain training, with average winter temperatures varying from 20F to -30F and elevation changes of 8,000 vertical feet. The site also provides access to several large glaciers and rivers.

Currently the Northern Warfare Training Center’s mission is to provide cold weather and mountain warfare training to U.S. military and designated personnel in order to enhance war fighting capabilities of U.S. and coalition partners and in order to assist in rescue and recovery operations worldwide. Over the years, NWTC has participated in training with several Department of Defense organizations as well as U.S. coalition partners. Most recently, the center participated in an instructor exchange during the summer of 2011 with the Indian Army High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, India.

26 | MT2 17.1

The NWTC provides a variety of courses, primarily the Cold Weather Leaders Course (CWLC), Cold Weather Orientation Course (CWOC), Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) and the Mountain Warfare Orientation Course (MWOC). Training soldiers in the harsh arctic and sub-arctic environment of Alaska is a significant challenge for the 12,000 soldiers that are assigned to the U.S. Army Alaska command.

The target audience for the orientation courses (MWOC and CWOC) is company through brigade level leadership and staff. These courses are designed to provide these tactical planners and decision-makers with the requisite knowledge and experience to be successful in a cold weather and mountainous environment. Some of the main topics covered during these courses are medical considerations, effects on equipment, over snow mobility and sustainment.

The CWLC and BMC are courses are primarily designed to provide platoon level leadership with a basic knowledge in cold weather and mountain operations, more specifically sustainment and mobility in these environments. The BMC is a physically demanding course conducted at BRTS that provides soldiers with a basic knowledge of how to employ military mountaineering techniques. Utilizing the most basic materials (rope, carabineers and webbing) students learn how to negotiate the terrain, mitigate the risks encountered and then leverage that terrain to their advantage. In addition to the basic mountaineering skills (rappel, climbing and knots) the course addresses high angle casualty evacuation, animal packing techniques, land navigation and route finding, avalanche hazards and rescue procedures, high alpine and glacier travel with risk management built into each block of instruction. Graduates of this course understand the physically demanding nature of mountain operations and gain the skill sets that are needed to fight and win in that environment.

Soldiers successfully completing the BMC course are awarded the special skill identifier “E.” The focus of CWLC is to provide small unit leaders with the skills necessary to accomplish their mission in extremely cold conditions. Students are trained in over snow mobility techniques, cold weather medical consideration and injury management, field craft and shelters, sustainment, clothing and equipment

requirements, along with fortifications and camouflage techniques. Risk management is built into every block of instruction to ensure students are able to identify and mitigate risk in an ever-changing environment. The CWLC has been the mainstay for NWTC since its inception and has enabled U.S. Army Alaska soldiers to operate year-round in the harsh conditions of Alaska. Leaders that graduate from this course become the primary cold weather trainers within their various units and are capable of adjusting the training to meet their unit’s unique mission.

In order to develop the specialized cadre, NWTC conducts a Mountain Instructor Qualification Course in the spring and Cold Weather Instructor Qualification Course in the fall. Both courses are designed to develop the center’s cadre and are conducted annually over an eight-week period. To meet our rescue and recovery requirement, qualified instructors are trained in avalanche rescue course I and II, swift water rescue, wilderness first responder, high angle rescue techniques, multi-pitch climbing techniques and lead climbing techniques. Over its history, the unit has participated in over 70 rescue or recovery missions around the world.

Alaska, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Laos, India and China are among some of the places NWTC has provided cold weather or mountaineering expertise in support of this mission.

Our nation’s military is the most adaptive and flexible military the world has ever known, capable of projecting force worldwide to protect our nation’s interests. As the polar ice caps recede and northern sea lanes open, natural resources that have been inaccessible in the past will become available. The military must maintain the ability to protect our nation’s interest in this harsh and unforgiving terrain. The vast majority of the current military exists along Sun Belt and is not trained or equipped to operate in these environments. That is why it is imperative that the NWTC maintain the specialized expertise required to train and prepare units to fight and win in cold and mountainous environments. O

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

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The advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers. KMI cannot be held responsible for discrepancies due to last-minute changes or alterations.

MT2 CALENDAR & DIRECTORY Advertisers Index Booz Allen Hamilton.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.boozallen.com/rfwn Creative Technologies Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 www.cretecinc.com Cubic.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.cubic.com G4S International Training Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.g4siti.com ITEC 2012.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.itec.co.uk/mt2

Meggitt Training Systems.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 www.meggitttrainingsystems.com MetaVR.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 www.metavr.com Simformotion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.catsimulators.com The Tatitlek Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.tatitlek.com

Calendar February 22-24, 2012 AUSA’s ILW Winter Symposium & Exposition Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. www.ausa.org/meetings/2011/annual/pages/ annual1010-12.aspx April 15-18, 2012 Sea-Air-Space Exposition National Harbor, Md. www.seaairspace.org

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May 22-24, 2012 ITEC ExCel, London www.itec.co.uk

July 31-August 2, 2012 ADL iFest 2012 Orlando, Fla. www.trainingsystems.org

June 13-14, 2012 Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) Orlando, Fla. www.trainingsystems.org/events

August 7-10, 2012 AUVSI Las Vegas, Nev. www.symposium.auvsi.org

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INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Military Training Technology

Ronald Vadas President Meggitt Training Systems Q: Can you describe Meggitt Training Systems’ history and evolution?

A: Meggitt Training Systems’ 90-year heritage rests largely on Firearms Training Systems [FATS] shooting simulation trainers and Caswell International live fire targetry systems. Both companies were acquired approximately six years ago by the U.K.based aerospace, defense and energy company, Meggitt PLC. Meggitt Training Systems has consistently demonstrated its ability and willingness to innovate. Firsts over the years include system-controlled weapon simulators, unique bullet trap and target lifter designs and fully embedded armored vehicle simulators. The company has moved beyond simply supplying hardware in a box to providing complete system-based training solutions.

Q: What are some of your key products in the DoD training and simulation industry?

A: By specializing in training systems to support small unit operations, Meggitt Training Systems was the first to introduce small arms training simulators to the defense market. Today we provide a complete spectrum of training products, many of which are interoperable via HLA networking, including indirect fire and forward air control trainers and live fire targetry systems.

Q: What are some of the new training/ simulation technologies Meggitt Training Systems is developing?

A: Part of the advantage of being part of a large group is our ability to invest in future training capabilities. Over the past two to three years, we have completed a number of internal R&D initiatives. The first developed a flexible systems architecture that allows us to quickly adapt our solutions to changes in customer requirements—for example, the addition of different weapons classes and the upgrade of image generators. The second project supports a completely new live fire product line, which includes new lightweight target lifters and advanced networked control systems. These innovations form the 28 | MT2 17.1

largest prime contractors. Our commitment to innovation, listening to what our customers have to say and developing to their requirements strengthens this connection.

Q: What is an example of your success in the military, and what are some of your goals [specific to the training/simulation industry] over the next year?

underpinning of Meggitt’s future growth and were defined with extensive input from customers.

We recognize that military trainers must take advantage of low-cost consumer technology, which is why we use a variety of commercial software packages to enhance product offerings. This includes a wireless tablet application that allows instructors to control training sessions in live and virtual environments.

Q: How are you positioned for the future within the military?

A: As budgets reduce, the world’s militaries have to look at ways to gain more value.

Our virtual and live training systems provide significant cost saving opportunities for our customers without sacrificing quality. We continue to invest in new product development to ensure that our offerings meet the needs of our customers in times of changing operational and budgetary requirements.

FATS M100, for example, previewed at the 2011 I/ITSEC conference, is a flexible system architecture that allows for rapid development of customer requirements, including high-end graphics engines, an ever-changing cadre of peripherals such as wireless controllers, HD image generators, and a rapidly expanding collection of BlueFire wireless weapon and tethered heavy and supporting arms simulators.

Q: What is Meggitt Training Systems’ connection with the defense community?

A: We have products installed in over 100 countries around the world and strong relationships with some of the industry’s

A: Our 2011 successes include an award in March from the U.K. Ministry of Defense to deliver an enhanced targetry system for the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Alberta, Canada, and a multi-year contract with the Australian Defense Force to operate and maintain the primary small and supporting arms shooting simulation training centers known as WTSS [Weapon Training Simulation System] facilities. In October, we were selected as one of five suppliers to provide equipment to upgrade live-fire training ranges at US Army installations worldwide.

Building on our 2011 successes, our goal in 2012 is to continue to grow our business, providing customers with the systems they require to enhance their training. We expect to introduce several new products into the live fire and virtual market based on internal R&D initiatives.

Q: How do customers benefit from Meggitt Training Systems’ varied resources and expertise?

A: Our subject matter experts are drawn from former members of the world’s best armed forces and police services. They translate customer requirements into terms our engineers and production people can understand, leading to superior training systems.

Q: How do you measure success?

A: I remember an instance when a police officer completed a judgmental training session on one of our virtual systems. At the end of the scenario, heart pumping and out of breath from being immersed in the moment, she simply said, “Wow. That was good. That was really, really good.” I can’t think of any better definition of success than that. O www.MT2-kmi.com

NEXTISSUE

April 2012 Vol. 17, Issue 2 America's Longest Established Simulation & Training Magazine

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Rear Admiral Donald P. Quinn Commander Naval Education and Training Command

Organizational Profile: U.S. Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety

Features Airborne Operations: An in-depth look at training military personnel for missions launched from aircraft and the challenges that this entails.

Ship Gunnery: Firing ordnance and munitions from a ship can be difficult for even the best marksman. Industry is doing the best it can to prepare service men and women to overcome obstacles and remain on target.

LVC Training: Live, virtual and constructive (LVC) training technologies continue to evolve as the U.S. military focuses on highfidelity training while keeping an eye on cost.

Aircraft Carrier Landing: Landing on a moving target in open water is one of the most complex and difficult feats a naval pilot can perform, and the training is no less vigorous.

Insertion Order Deadline: March 16, 2012

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) Taking a look at the latest developments in the U.S. Navy’s focal point for providing worldclass training solutions and services to its servicemen and women.

Ad Materials Deadline: March 23, 2012

A heritage of

virtual training innovation

and excellence.

Meggitt Training Systems, makers of FATS® and Caswell technologies, understands that today’s ground forces rely on real-world training. Virtual training systems must provide comprehensive marksmanship tools with the ability to train in the combined arms environment utilizing support weapons and indirect fire assets.

These requirements have driven the design, mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of Meggitt’s Small Arms Training system. Meggitt’s simulation trainers include marksmanship, tactical, mortar, call for fire and armored fighting vehicle systems. Networking capabilities enable small-unit training to full-spectrum, multi-service exercises—all within a classroom environment.

It’s a system ideally suited for the U.S. Armed Forces, including the emerging EST II program and its focus on combat marksmanship, ballistic accuracy, and warrior skills tasks. Most importantly, Meggitt’s simulation system brings with it the immeasurable value of decades of virtual and live fire training innovation and experience.

Meggitt Training Systems, makers of FATS® and Caswell technologies meggitttrainingsystems.com