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20 Jul 22. Top Aces eyes European ADAIR programmes. Montreal, Canada-headquartered adversary air (ADAIR) and close air support (CAS) services provider Top Aces is targeting a number of European ADAIR programmes and has expanded to support its efforts, company representatives told Janes at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022.
“The US has always led the field when it comes to the use of aggressor aircraft and many European nations have held a more conservative view about the benefits of this type of training,” said David Bradshaw, a former Royal Air Force (RAF) air commodore, who has joined the company as director of business development – Europe, adding “One major exception has been Germany with its SFZD [Schnelle Flugzieldarstellung] programme.” (Source: Janes)
22 Jul 22. RoK, U.S. to resume major field training during combined military drills. South Korea and the United States will resume long-suspended live field training during their joint military drills, Seoul’s defence ministry said on Friday, as they work to curb North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile programmes. The allies are set to kick off their annual summertime exercises next month, after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, vowed to “normalise” joint drills and boost deterrence against the North.
South Korea and the United States plan to conduct 11 joint field exercises including one of brigade-level this summer, the ministry said. It said they aim to hold more joint field exercises of regiment-level or higher.
“We plan to stage combined air carrier strike group training and drills for amphibious operations at an early date, among others,” South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup told reporters after briefing Yoon on policy matters.
The two sides had scaled back their combined military drills in recent years due to COVID-19 and efforts to lower tensions with the North.
North Korea has conducted missile tests at an unprecedented pace this year and is believed to be preparing for its seventh nuclear test.
President Yoon said Pyongyang could go ahead with the test, potentially its first since 2017, at “any time”.
To better counter North Korea’s growing missile threats targeting the South’s capital area, the defence ministry said it would improve missile detection capabilities and push for an early deployment of a new interceptor system.
Yoon also ordered the defence ministry to put utmost efforts into beefing up the country’s missile defence system against the North’s threats, his spokesperson Kang In-sun said. (Source: Google/Reuters)
20 Jul 22. BAE Systems and VR simulation company, VRAI, will work together to harness the power of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to explore the next generation of training for military forces of tomorrow.
The companies announced at the Farnborough International Airshow this week, that they are working together to further develop a single synthetic environment to enable air, land, sea, space and cyber forces to plug in and train together in one virtual world.
VRAI have developed cutting edge technology which provides performance insights using machine learning and the huge datasets generated by synthetic training to assist people working in hazardous environments, including military forces preparing for operations.
Sir Stuart Atha, Defence Capability Director for BAE Systems’ Air sector, said his team is working with technology companies to enable military forces to regularly and securely train in a virtual world.
He said: “A single synthetic environment opens up huge opportunities for collective training, bringing crucial battlefield experiences without the challenges and constraints of live training and its limited warfare scenarios.
“Being able to use the data generated from simulation to tailor training for an individual is crucial for our armed forces. VRAI is a world leader in this area, so we are really excited to be working with the team.
“The modern battlespace is constantly changing and by collaborating with cutting-edge companies like VRAI we can meet this challenge and help our armed forces stay ahead of the curve.”
VRAI has developed a Hazardous Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) simulation data platform which has been tested in collaboration with the Royal Air Force, under funding provided by the Ministry of Defence via the Defence and Security Accelerator.
Niall Campion, VRAI Co-Founder and Managing Director for Product & Customers, said: “We believe that data, particularly data captured via virtual training, has the power to revolutionise how militaries prepare for operations.
“By capturing, storing and evaluating individual user performance data within simulation we can deliver actionable insights to instructors actionable insights, personalised to each trainee.
“Our work with BAE Systems will enable us to bring these insights right to the front line of training.”
The initial proof of concept to be delivered by BAE Systems will see the Company integrate multi-domain synthetic environments to enable complex collective training scenarios in a secure environment.
20 Jul 22. Philippine and Malaysian navies conduct live-fire tests during RIMPAC 2022. The Philippine Navy’s Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151) has conducted live-firing trials to test its main guns and other batteries.
The test was carried out during the at-sea phase of the US-led multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022.
As part of the gunnery exercise (GUNNEX), BRP Antonio Luna evaluated the preciseness of its main battery OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun, 0.50-caliber machine gun, and 30mm Aselsan SMASH.
During the Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Rodeo exercise, the Jose Rizal-class frigate tested its Super Rapid gun again by targeting 2D virtual land information.
The RIMPAC exercise helped to assess the capacity of Philippine Navy’s vessel to sustain operations overseas.
The exercise provided resources and environment to FF 151 to attain individual and collective training objectives.
Furthermore, the at-sea phase of the RIMPAC 2022 also allowed the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir (F-26) to demonstrate its maritime capabilities.
The vessel conducted its first missile firing test outside the territorial waters in the sinking exercise (SINKEX) of RIMPAC.
KD Lekir commanding officer commander Mohd Asri bin Dasman said: “The crew had prepared extensively and was confident they would be successful in hitting their intended target.
“It is my first time commanding a ship and I feel the obligation to meet the requirement.”
During the SINKEX exercise, forces from Malaysia, Canada, Australia and the US test fired and sunk the US Navy’s decommissioned vessel USS Rodney M Davis (FFG 60). This allowed the military forces to gain proficiency in targeting, tactics and live firing against a surface target at sea. (Source: naval-technology.com)
19 Jul 22. USAF Officially Establishes P6CTS As its Next-generation Air Combat Training Program of Record.
- Air Force will leverage standardized training capabilities with the U.S. Navy, providing interoperability across joint services and coalition partners
- Synthetic Inject to Live (SITL) capability allows pilots to engage in realistic training scenarios by emulating user-selected threat environments
- Interoperability seamlessly connects 4th & 5th Gen, Heavy Platforms and Helicopters
Collins Aerospace announced today at the Farnborough International Airshow the USAF has established the P6CTS as its official Program of Record and selected the Collins Aerospace Tactical Combat Training System – Increment II (TCTS II) as its preferred solution. This selection was the result of USAF evaluation of TCTS II’s growth capacity to meet all USAF future Air Combat Training requirements while remaining fully interoperable with U.S. Navy’s TCTS II.
The newly created P6 CTS Program has been funded to replace 100 percent of the legacy combat training systems at an estimated 55 USAF training ranges. The P6CTS program leverages the recently awarded Navy TCTS II program to achieve economies of scale resulting from existing training enhancements and common logistics throughout the program life cycle. The USAF’s stated priority is to integrate P6CTS on fighter aircraft followed by trainer, bomber, cargo, and other platforms.
P6 CTS provides a growth path to more realistically emulate contested/congested environments thanks to its Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training enhancements and Synthetic Inject to Live (SITL) capability. Because P6 CTS also includes multiple-individual-level security (MILS) encryption – which allows full-fidelity threats and weapon simulation sharing between platforms with varying security levels – the USAF can eliminate the need for costly platform-specific embedded training apps.
“Pilots will be able to train like never before with secure cross-service air combat training and joint Live, Virtual, and Constructive-enabled capabilities,” said John Sapp, vice president, and general manager, Integrated Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “This program truly redefines the future of training and warfighter readiness.”
TCTS II has successfully demonstrated secure blended LVC enabling capabilities during NAVAIR’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX-21 and ANTX-22). Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is scheduled at NAS Fallon in late 2022 with Full Rate Production (FRP) starting in early 2023. The TCTS II is envisioned to be available to both adversary air (AdAir) providers as well as foreign military partners subject to DOS exportability determination of critical TCTS II technologies.
Developed and built by Collins and teammate Leonardo DRS, TCTS II/P6CTS is a scalable and flexible open architecture system that enables highly secure air combat training between the U.S. and international aircraft, including 5th and 4th generation platforms. (Source: ASD Network)
19 Jul 22. Boeing, CAE Sign MOU to Enhance Global Aerospace Training, Innovation and Fleet Support. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and CAE [NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE] today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their collaboration and explore further teaming opportunities in defense aerospace training. The memorandum leverages the strengths, skills, and advanced technologies of Boeing and CAE with the intent to further enhance innovation and competition through potential joint-offerings.
Additionally, the MOU aims to advance mission readiness for defense customers worldwide operating Boeing military aircraft. Working together, Boeing and CAE are uniquely qualified to deliver outcome-based pilot training, aircrew ground school, in-service support, and instructor training at the point of need.
“Boeing and CAE share an unwavering commitment to deliver value through innovative training solutions that provide increased efficacy and reliability to our defense and commercial services customers,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO, Boeing Global Services. “This collaboration demonstrates the best of how governments and industry can collaborate to benefit customers worldwide.”
This collaboration amplifies a long-standing relationship spanning commercial and defense portfolios across the globe. CAE is an integral partner on the CH-47 Chinook program in Germany, has supported Boeing extensively with P-8 training solutions worldwide, and is a charter member of Team Poseidon in Boeing’s Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft offering. This MOU builds on the recent exclusive teaming agreement in Germany for Chinook, and continues joint efforts to deliver enhanced training offerings for Chinook in the United Arab Emirates that support Emiratization efforts, as well as expanding P-8 solutions in Canada, Germany, and Norway.
“Our purpose is to prepare our military customers for safe and successful mission outcomes through advanced training and mission readiness,” says Daniel Gelston, president, CAE Defense & Security. “CAE and Boeing are leveraging our global training experience and aircraft expertise to expand solutions that support modernization and adaptability for the future of these platforms.”
The MOU expands Boeing and CAE international teaming and supplier networks to provide solutions that support both customer and regional development.
15 Jul 22. US, South Korean F-35s conduct first combined training. Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters from the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) have completed their first combined flight training exercise.
The drills were held from 11 to 14 July. The exercise was because of agreements reached at the Korea-US summit in May. Speaking at a press briefing on 14 July, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense’s (MND’s) deputy spokesperson Colonel Moon Hong-sik said it had been decided at the summit to “deploy strategic assets of the US military in a timely and co-ordinated manner”. According to a statement by the White House on the summit, the agreement to expand the scope and scale of combined military exercises and training on and around the Korean Peninsula was prompted by the “evolving” threat posed by North Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and US President Joseph Biden also affirmed their pledge to provide extended deterrence, such as nuclear, conventional, and missile defence capabilities. (Source: Janes)
18 Jul 22. American MV-22 Ospreys move to Australian ship for RIMPAC exercise. Two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft are embarked on an Australian amphibious ship for the duration of the 2022 Rim of the Pacific exercise, advancing efforts to integrate the two nations’ amphibious forces for operations in the southwest Pacific.
The aviation detachment comes from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. This squadron has previously operated in northern Australia as part of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin. That integration testing and relationship-building have made this RIMPAC pairing possible, HMAS Canberra Commanding Officer Capt. Jace Hutchison told reporters aboard the ship July 13.
Canberra will operate in the biennial international exercise as part of an amphibious task force that includes American ship Essex, Korean ship Marado and Mexican ship Usumacinta.
Hutchison said RIMPAC 2016 featured some early interoperability testing between American MV-22 aircraft and the Australian helicopter landing dock. The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin deployments — with more than 2,000 U.S. Marines on the ground for six months of the year — have allowed for further testing and cross-decking on Canberra and sister ship Adelaide in the years since.
This year, “it’s an opportunity for us to now develop in an enduring manner by having two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft embarked for the entire sea phase. That’s something that’s not happened before in the Australian context,” Hutchison said. “We’re really looking forward to expanding the way that we operate those aircraft within the constraints of our platform.”
The captain said Canberra would embark about 275 ground forces from Australia, the U.S., Tonga, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and the ship would push those ground forces back ashore for an amphibious landing using aircraft that include the pair of Ospreys.
Hutchison said this aviation integration work help clarify the limitations of the ship, the aircraft and the combination of the two.
“Being able to understand the left and right of arc allows you to then plan what sort of operations you can do together in the future. And that’s what we’re trying to do in these three weeks: we’re trying to understand what is the minimum we’re able to do, what is the maximum we’re able to do, and, both countries, what are we authorized to do. And then within that, we’ll work out what our integration really looks like,” the captain said.
Lt. Sam Laidlaw, a flight control officer on the ship, told reporters during the visit the ship takes a more conservative approach to operating with foreign aircraft, as a kind of safety bubble for the ship crew and the aircrew as they aren’t as familiar with each other and how the wind and sea states affect behavior.
Marines had sent some CH-53E heavy lift helicopters to Canberra earlier in the week, Laidlaw said, for familiarization and deck landing procedure training.
“Whenever we do international operations, the most challenging thing tends to be communications,” he said. “We do briefs beforehand; before any aircraft come across here, we sit down and do a face-to-face brief with them. If we can’t do that, we have a PowerPoint presentation we put together where we try and spell out all those little differences.”
A window in the flight control center on Australian amphibious ship Canberra shows notes for operating U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53E Super Stallions on July 13, 2022. Canberra was focused on integrating with as many foreign aircraft as it could during RIMPAC 2022, including having two U.S. MV-22s embarked for three weeks at sea. (Megan Eckstein/Staff)
The day the CH-53s flew out to the ship, the Australian and American teammates discovered one fundamental issue as the aircraft were on approach: the Australian ship crew was giving its position in true north, and the American pilots were expecting to receive it in magnetic north. The ship was pointed about 10 degrees off from what the Marine pilots were expecting.
“This is the reason why we have more conservative helicopter operating limits, because we don’t all do things all exactly the same way,” Laidlaw said.
Hutchison said Canberra had landed American CH-53s, MV-22s and MH-60 Seahawks, as well as the Japanese variant of the Seahawk, and that he hoped to cross-deck with a few more countries before RIMPAC ends.
“When we operate together in either a peacetime, non-warlike, [humanitarian assistance and disaster relief] scenario, or even in time of conflict, it’s much better to be able to form a partnership and be able to use compatible equipment and compatible forces to create a more efficient outcome,” the captain said.
The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin will participate in the Talisman Sabre exercise in 2023. Hutchison said he expects those forces to continue working on integration between the Canberra-class amphibs and the American MV-22s.
Asked whether there might eventually be a full deployment with U.S. Marines on Canberra or Adelaide, Hutchison said the pairing makes sense if they can work through technical integration issues.
U.S. Marines operate out of Darwin for six months of the year, but there typically aren’t any American amphibious ships nearby to support them.
Canberra and Adelaide have in the past been tasked with responding to natural disasters throughout Oceania and the southwest Pacific. Given that disaster relief is within both countries’ authorities and priorities, “that’s the perfect partnership for us to take out into those regional areas and support as a collective,” Hutchison said.
“There’s no reason why we couldn’t see MRF-D and their aircraft embarking an Australian ship while they’re in Australia,” the captain said, “and in fact we would probably want that to occur just as a continuing development of that partnership.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
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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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