Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/235053
Special Report rience similar to what would occur in the field. The system also builds in wind and weather conditions that force the soldier or law enforcement officer to adjust. The next phase of training is referred to as a walk phase, when defense personnel take the fundamentals and apply advanced techniques to ensure that they can put steel on target when not in a basic prone environment. They learn how to scan their lanes and engage multiple targets on the battlefield, again all within a virtual environment. This scanning and engaging targets on the battlefield teaches soldiers how to aim at the right location and to expect, as long as their other fundamentals are sound, that they will hit their targets. Finally, personnel will move into the run phase where they focus on weapon support and what cover to use (reflexive fire). Military personnel across all branches of service and throughout many allied nations are using systems like Meggitt's virtual weapons training systems to move their men and women through these phases of firearms training. Probably the biggest challenge facing our defense personnel today is funding. It simply is not cost effective to fire some weapons. The cost of the weapons themselves, as well as the rounds and targetry that needs to be engaged are so expensive that most defense personnel only fire enough for weapons familiarization and not enough to gain the confidence they need for the battlefield. With a combined training strategy, using a virtual training system, troops can fire all of the small arms weapons from 9mm to C16 (CASW). All of these weapons meet the form, fit and function of live weapons, as well as accurate ballistics. Once confident on the weapons, the live fire engagement is more accurate and is required less often. The Future of Virtual Training Trainers are seeing the benefit of virtual training first hand and are writing requirements to ensure that virtual marksmanship and judgmental trainers are part of their training facilities. Multiple studies have shown not only the marksmanship value, but also the value of immersion and training personnel in a simulated environment that creates the same stress they would experience in theater or on patrol. "Demand is high and will continue to grow," said Longstaff. "With growth in the market come additional manufacturers and products. This can be good for our military personnel if the increased competition produces better quality products. Unfortunately, what can happen is inexpensive products that are not truly training tools." According to Longstaff, lower-quality but 'flashy' products can result in negative training. The tools have to be built with the goal of a strong and weapon-confident soldier or law enforcement officer in mind. "We see the future as a Live-VirtualConstructive mix of training solutions, a kit bag from which the user can mold a training solution that fits the requirement," said Longstaff. "Law enforcement and defense personnel must be proficient on weaponry and operations, and something like the LVC kitbag will stretch the training dollars in a time when military budgets are declining." Manufacturers and trainers agree: virtual training will continue to grow to balance out the costly alternative of live fire training. Enhanced Virtual ranges provide the ballistic accuracy needed for marksmanship training, and also the immersive environment that allows warfighters to train in a non-lethal, high-stress environment. Companies like Meggitt Training Systems have recently introduced new technologies that speak directly to those that will be training on these technologically advanced systems. Many of the young men and women around the world who are joining the military and law enforcement ranks have grown up with technology at the forefront of their worlds - in school, play and most everywhere in their daily lives. As a result, Meggitt has introduced new technology that takes the virtual training environment to the next level. In 2011, Meggitt introduced the FATS® M100 architecture. The resulting flexibility has recently allowed Meggitt to move forward on new simulation training advancements – such as the inclusion of a CryENGINE® 3-D Marksmanship Training environment with Meggitt's tetherless BlueFire® weapon simulators. The afteraction review (AAR) allows engagement and shot assessment in a 3-D virtual environment, while providing detailed trainee diagnostics for skill reinforcement and/or correction. About Meggitt Training Systems Meggitt Training Systems, makers of FATS® and Caswell technologies, a division of Meggitt PLC, is the leading supplier of integrated live-fire and virtual weapons training systems, crewed vehicle simulation, unmanned land and sea vehicles, aerial targets and electronic scoring systems. Following the acquisition of FATS virtual training systems and Caswell International's live-fire ranges and services, Meggitt Training Systems has continued to grow its capabilities based on the legacy of these two industry leaders. Over 13,000 Meggitt live-fire ranges and 5,100 virtual systems are fielded internationally, providing judgmental, situational awareness and marksmanship training to the armed forces, law enforcement and security organizations. Meggitt Training Systems employs more than 400 people at its headquarters in Atlanta and at facilities in Orlando, Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, UAE, Australia and Singapore. It can deploy service personnel anywhere in the world for instructor training, system installation and maintenance. www.vanguardcanada.com DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 31