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21 Dec 21. Babcock signs a three year contract extension with the Defence College of Technical Training. Babcock the aerospace, defence and security company, has been awarded a further three year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide training and support to the Defence College of Technical Training.
The extension to the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Contract 2 (EMTC), worth around £75m for three years with an optional one year extension, follows a successful seven year period of close collaboration between the Armed Forces, MOD and Babcock.
Over 450 highly skilled Babcock employees deliver training and support to the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MOD Lyneham and the Defence School of Marine Engineering at HMS Sultan for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Marines and Royal Navy trainees. The training aims to provide every trainee the best possible technical training, education and opportunity to maximise their potential and carry out their role in their Front Line Commands.
The new contract will see Babcock continue to provide services including Training Delivery, Training Design, Training Planning, Scheduling & Administration, Media, Equipment Support and Site Support, and additionally a centralised Building Manager Capability at HMS Sultan.
Alistair Deas, Babcock’s Defence Training Director (Land), said:
“We are delighted to have been chosen to continue to support the Defence College of Technical Training. The Electro-Mechanical Engineering Contract delivers excellent technical training based on learning strategies that blend the best of traditional practice with evidence based innovations and developments in Technology Enhanced Learning. We are proud to be a part of ensuring the Nation’s Armed Forces are able to meet the demands of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”
Commandant DCTT Air Cdre Sansom said:
“I am looking forward to the continuation of what has been an excellent contract, and in my experience one of the easiest to manage, where the needs have been met in driving forward both the numbers in training and the way that training has collectively been undertaken”.
21 Dec 21. Saab Australia launches new training program for combat systems engineering. Saab expects that the new “Introduction to Combat Systems Engineering” micro-credential will support the upskilling of current employees and those looking to change industries.
Saab Australia’s new ‘Introduction to Combat Systems Engineering’ micro-credential, which has industry support and approval from the SA Skills Commission, provides participants with crucial knowledge to gain employment in the defence industry with successful applicants receiving a certificate of recognition.
The micro-credential teaches participants current and future industry needs and is delivered via the Naval Shipbuilding College (NSC).
Throughout the program, participants are taught and assessed over 75 hours – either over three months or during an intensive two week course.
According to a release from Saab Australia, the inaugural course is expected to commence at the end of Q1, 2022.
“We identified a gap in skilled resources, particularly in combat systems engineering, and in response we developed the ‘Introduction to Combat Systems Engineering’ micro-credential with the support of the NSC and industry,” Dave Symonds, general manager, maritime at Saab Australia, said.
“The demand for skills in this field of engineering that meets the unique needs of Naval Shipbuilding programs will only become stronger as Australia continues to develop its sovereign capability. At Saab, we continue to prioritise the development of knowledge and advanced skills to support and optimise local SME participation in Defence and manufacturing with our high-tech offering.
”The CS Engineering micro-credential is recognised throughout South Australia, and addresses the gap in a highly competitive market while creating a pathway for jobseekers to prepare for employment. Similarly, employers can benefit from staff who have undertaken timely and targeted training that addresses current and future skills as identified by industry.”
The announcement came just weeks after Saab Australia unveiled the company’s new office.
Saab Australia managing director Andy Keough noted the importance of the new facility in supporting the company’s ambitions in the local defence space.
“Saab has had a small office and team based in Melbourne for over a decade, but this co-investment will see our Melbourne footprint expand to enable the delivery of major new defence projects, along with continued in-service support for Australian Defence Force equipment,” Keough said. (Source: Defence Connect)
17 Dec 21. F-FDTL and US military conclude CARAT Timor-Leste 2021 bilateral exercise. The exercise saw nine days of virtual, in-person and at-sea activities being undertaken. The exercise aimed at an enhanced partnership between the Timor-Leste Defense Force and the US military. Credit: US Navy/MC2 Ryan M. Breeden. The US Navy has announced the conclusion of the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, CARAT Timor-Leste 2021 exercise. It concluded on 15 December following nine days of virtual, in-person and at-sea activities.
The exercise aims to enhance the partnership between the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) and the US military.
It focused on shared maritime security challenges within the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise also aimed to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific maritime security environment.
Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Charleston and embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21 are the US assets that participated in the at-sea portion of CARAT Timor-Leste exercise.
DESRON 7 commodore captain Tom Ogden said: “Over these nine days of exercise events, Timor-Leste and US naval forces made tremendous progress in learning more about each other’s capabilities and building trust and understanding between our operators.
“This level of collaboration prepares our forces to work together during real-world operations and in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The at-sea phase of the exercise was held in the territorial waters surrounding Port Hera.
For this phase, F-FDTL members embarked on Charleston for partnered training, which aimed at building interoperability and enhancing relationships.
The sea phase enabled the naval forces to hone their capabilities and focused on aspects such as navigation; engineering; damage control; and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS).
During the harbour phase, F-FDTL and US Marines from First Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) took part in joint training events.
Ogden added: “The sailors and Marines involved in CARAT Timor-Leste executed events perfectly and grew stronger bonds with their F-FDTL counterparts.
“We look forward to continuing to build on our partnership during future engagements, including CARAT 2022.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Dec 21. PAF sends S-70i pilots to train in Brunei. The first group of Philippine Air Force’s (PAF’s) pilots will complete training on the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk flight simulator at the Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) Brunei Multi-Purpose Training Centre (BMPTC) in Rimba, Brunei, by 27 December. The Embassy of the Philippines in Brunei announced on 3 December that the flight simulation training programme for the PAF had formally launched on that day and that more pilots will join the programme in the coming years to learn how to fly the recently acquired fleet of S-70i combat utility helicopters. (Source: Janes)
14 Dec 21. Lockheed to Offer ‘Competitive Pricing’ on T-50-Derived Advanced Fighter Trainer. Lockheed Martin will offer a variant of its T-50A in the competition to build the Air Force’s new tactical fighter trainer rather than a clean-sheet design, the company said Dec. 14, insisting it will achieve “competitive pricing” with the aircraft. The jet was second in the T-X competition that Boeing won with a fresh design three years ago.
“Lockheed Martin has responded to both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy for their respective advanced tactical training programs,” the company said in a press release, referring to the Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Trainer and the Navy’s Tactical Surrogate Aircraft. “And, we look forward to developing competitive pricing for TF-50 aircraft programs that would meet the requirements as defined today.” A spokesperson elaborated that this goal will also cover “any new requirements that emerge in the future.”
The company’s T-X proposal “was based on a low-risk solution, the T-50A configuration that was aggressively priced to meet the requirements, including a 2023 [initial operational capability] date,” she said. “Since then, we have made significant advances in digital engineering and open architectures that are enabling affordability and at the same time, accelerating development, production, upgrades, and responsiveness.”
When queried about the ATT fighter trainer in October, Lockheed Martin said it would offer a solution to the ATT query but was reviewing the requirements and not yet ready to say if it would offer a new airplane, as Boeing did in the T-X.
Lockheed Martin and Boeing went head to head for the Air Force’s T-X, with Lockheed Martin offering the T-50A, a derivative of the T-50 jet trainer it developed with Korea Aerospace Industries. When the Air Force announced that Boeing had won that contest in September 2018, it said the company bid nearly $10 bn less than what the service itself expected to pay. Boeing has chalked up its win to advanced digital design, a streamlined software plan, and open-system architecture.
Lockheed Martin did not elaborate on why it is again offering the T-50 rather than a new, tailored design.
Lockheed’s ATT nomenclature of TF-50 is a hybrid of its T-50 trainer and the F-50 light fighter based on the T-50. Lockheed and KAI have sold variants of the airplane to Indonesia, Iraq, the Philippines, and Thailand.
“The designation depends on the configuration and the customer requirements,” the spokesperson said, noting that South Korea operates the jet in four configurations: T-50 for advanced jet training; TA-50 for lead-in fighter training; T-50B for the “Black Eagles” demonstration team; and FA-50 for light combat aircraft. The T-50A offered in the T-X competition was a “block upgrade to the baseline aircraft” with a fifth-generation cockpit, advanced avionics, and an embedded training system, aerial refueling capability, and “other enhancements to meet” Air Education and Training Command’s needs.
“The TF-50 is configured as a light attack fighter/trainer with additional enhancements to include radar, [electronic warfare] system, tactical data link, and other capabilities” to meet Air Combat Command requirements, she said.
The Air Force announced the ATT competition Oct. 12, saying it wants between 100 and 400 airplanes to serve as a bridge between undergraduate pilot training and frontline fighter squadrons. The goal is to offload much of the training now done on actual frontline fighters to the new aircraft, saving money and freeing the frontline aircraft for combat assignments. The program dovetails with ACC’s “Reforge” concept for overhauling fighter training. The Air Force wanted responses by Nov. 23 describing what companies could offer in terms of “feasibility, estimated cost, and schedule” for the first 100 aircraft. USAF has not said when it expects to introduce the new airplane.
Because the Air Force and Navy’s needs are so similar, USAF said contractors could simply submit the same information for both. The Navy wants a trainer to succeed its T-45, but its concept currently calls for student pilots to perform only touch-and-go’s on an aircraft carrier, not fully arrested traps. Consequently, the aircraft need not have an arrestor hook and associated equipment.
Air Force leaders have suggested—even before Boeing won the T-X—that the winner of that contest would likely see a secondary USAF market for tactical trainers and companion trainers, akin to the application of the T-38 in those roles over the last five decades. However, the Air Force has said the ATT is not a lock for Boeing and that the service wants competition. Moreover, while Boeing has said the T-7A could be modified for combat tasks, it lacks the external hardpoints the Air Force wants in the ATT and has only an optional aerial refueling system. The T-7A design was focused on Air Education and Training Command’s requirements for the T-X and not toward future derivatives, Boeing said at the time it was selected. The ATT requirements specify that it must be able to carry various sensor or electronic warfare pods and/or external fuel tanks. Air Combat Command is also looking at buying or leasing a handful of advanced trainers to prove the Reforge concept before the T-7A is available, and Lockheed is a competitor offering the T-50 for that requirement. The Air Force requires that the ATT have a secure open architecture. Preferred capabilities—desirable but not mandatory—include a zero-zero ejection seat and an automatic ground collision avoidance system as well as a helmet-mounted display system. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Airforce Magazine)
10 Dec 21. Bell Signs Contract to Build Flight Training Devices for the Czech Republic. Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has signed a contract with the U.S. Government to build the AH-1Z Flight Training Device for the Czech Republic’s new helicopter fleet. The delivery of training devices will play a key role integrating new H-1 helicopters into the Czech Air Force. The Flight Training Device (FTD) will be used for simulation and training purposes for prospective pilots of the combined AH-1Z and UH-1Y fleet. The delivery of the training device by Bell ensures the continuous presence of Bell’s expertise throughout the Czech Air Force’s helicopter modernization program.
“The Flight Training Device will provide Czech operators with the perfect tools for familiarizing themselves with their new H-1 helicopters,” says Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 vice president and program director. “The FTD for the Czech Air Force will ensure training activities progress smoothly in line with the delivery of the aircraft themselves.”
Bell selected FlightSafety International and VR Group as key subcontractors. FlightSafety International, a world leader in the design, manufacture and support of flight simulators, visual systems and displays, will provide hardware and software products for simulation training, including the visual display system and control loading system.
“FlightSafety is proud to continue the long-standing collaboration with Bell supporting the H-1 program,” said Michael Vercio, senior vice president of simulation systems at FlightSafety. “The Czech Flight Training Device gives us another opportunity to provide a world-class training solution to a new set of pilots.”
VR Group, a Czech company, has deep expertise in simulation technologies and will provide some of the moving models for the visual database system for the Czech H-1 FTD. VR Group will also be responsible for maintenance and support for the device after delivery. VR Group’s participation underlines the business opportunities brought to local Czech companies and organizations by Bell’s provision of the Czech Republic’s new helicopter fleet.
“Working with Bell on the delivery and maintenance of the Flight Training Device for the Czech Republic’s new helicopter fleet opens up the possibility for us to further strengthen our leading long-term role in the country’s Air Force simulation capabilities,” said Ivo Gamba, VR Group technical director. “As one of the Czech Republic’s leading providers of defense training solutions, we are extremely excited to play our part in providing the FTD in cooperation with the team at Bell. Our local expertise creates a device of great benefit to Czech helicopter operatives.”
Production for the Czech Republic’s new H-1 helicopter fleet is proceeding on schedule, with Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center recently receiving the first UH-1Y cabin for the Czech fleet. Bell anticipates that production and delivery of the Czech Republic’s new AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft will be complete by 2023.
09 Dec 21. I/ITSEC 2021: Bagira showcases Warrior Readiness Training Centre. Israeli firm Bagira showcased the capabilities of its Bagira Weapons Infantry Skills Trainer (BIST) at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando in December.
The BIST is being fielded for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as the Warrior Readiness Training Centre (WARTAC), an upgrade of the existing Israeli Engagement Skills Trainer systems.
The BIST consists of a single building with facilities that simulate combat training in different virtual environments for up to platoon-level units to test and validate their weapon-handling skills, intra-unit co-ordination, and tactical awareness.
The virtual environment is based on Bagira’s B-One infrastructure, creating commonality with other sites where it has been utilised by the IDF under the Digital Dust programme, such as joint fires, tactical, and observation training. (Source: Janes)
10 Dec 21. Calian Continues to Deliver Seamless, Mission-Critical Military Training Throughout Global Pandemic. Calian® Group Ltd., (TSX: CGY), a diverse products and services company providing innovative healthcare, communications, learning and cybersecurity solutions delivered more than 10,000 hours of mission-critical military training during the global pandemic. The demand for military training has continued—and even increased—over the past two years. To meet this demand while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, Calian pivoted from in-person training to remote delivery and remote exercise development. Calian experts developed, designed and delivered collective and individual military e-training solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces and NATO, participated in more than 10,000 hours of training from February 2020 to June 2021 and were able to continue ramping up trainees on schedule.
Calian continued supporting the Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation (DMTC) as well as the Canadian Army Simulation Centre with training capability development support services. They also supported NATO pre-deployment training, focused on security sector reform, security force assistance, advisor/mentor training and capacity building. Training covered tactical information management, senior officer security studies, defence resource management, as well as the design and development of the DMTC Civil Military Interagency Planning Seminar.
“During the pandemic, the Calian team designed a number of fully remote online staff-advisor training programs,” said Kent Davis, Senior Director, Training as a Service, Calian. “Calian built programs combining academic learning with interactive online role-play to replicate current mission COVID-19 realities. We continued to support DND and NATO in the provision of interactive training across 20 countries in 10 different time zones.”
With their military backgrounds, Calian trainers are experts in strategic planning, developing training exercises, problem-solving and working under pressure, often in hostile conditions. Their unique skill sets are built on interpersonal coaching and mentoring, using subject-matter experts, role-players and interpreters to enhance the realism of international training scenarios.
“We are very proud of how we were able to safely deliver cutting-edge training support to our North American and European defence customers in the middle of a pandemic. This pivot from traditional training delivery resulted in our military partners receiving the mission-critical training they required to successfully meet the operational demands of international conflicts and crisis, while adhering to COVID-19 regulations and keeping forces combat capable,” said Jay Ballard, Contract Manager, Canadian Army Simulation Centre.
Calian is a leading training program delivery specialist for military, government, security and critical national infrastructure.
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About InVeris Training Solutions
InVeris Training Solutions combines an agile approach with an unmatched expertise in training technology to design and deliver customized, cutting-edge, first-rate training solutions that keep military, law enforcement and commercial range customers safe, prepared and ready to serve – Because Seconds Matter™. With a portfolio of technology-enabled training solutions, and a team of 400 employees driven to innovate, InVeris Training Solutions is the global leader in integrated live-fire and virtual weapons training solutions. With its legacy companies, FATS® and Caswell, InVeris Training Solutions has fielded over 15,500 live-fire ranges and 7,500 virtual systems globally during its 95-year history. The Company is headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia and partners with clients in the US and around the world from facilities on five continents.
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