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09 Nov 22. BAE to Collaborate With Inzpire on Future Training Technologies.
- BAE Systems and training specialists Inzpire will work together to explore the development of next generation military training.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced at the Bahrain Air Show, the companies will explore opportunities to bring Inzpire’s collective training expertise into BAE Systems’ future Operational Training Services.
Inzpire has been involved in live and synthetic training across air, maritime and land for almost 15 years, designing and delivering immersive training experiences for both British and international armed forces.
Their experts will work with BAE Systems on the creation of a single synthetic environment which can allow military forces to securely train using real world mission software and tactics delivering high fidelity, immersive training.
“The modern battlespace is constantly evolving and the way we train our military forces has to change with it. That is why we are working with Inzpire and other cutting edge technology providers like Hadean and VRAI to help us deliver the training advantage our customers need.” Sir Stuart Atha, Director of Training and Support Transformation, BAE Systems
“Since its formation in 2005, Inzpire has developed a great reputation for delivering superb training solutions for our customers. As experts in providing training design, development and delivery alongside a number of technical solutions, Inzpire has developed a training track-record which is perhaps unparalleled. We look forward to combining our skillsets and capabilities as part of this initiative.” Simon Gilbert, Business Development and Marketing Director, Inzpire
The initial proof of concept, to be delivered by BAE Systems, will integrate multi-domain synthetic environments to enable complex collective training scenarios in a secure environment.
Inzpire joins distributed computing specialists Hadean and virtual reality simulation company VRAI, who will work with BAE Systems to develop the technology which will enable air, land, sea, space and cyber forces to plug in to train collectively.
BAE Systems is showcasing its next generation training capability alongside Inzpire and VRAI at this year’s Bahrain International Air Show (Chalet A23, Stand G60) which takes place at the Sakhir Airbase in the Kingdom of Bahrain from 9-11 November.
(Source: ASD Network)
09 Nov 22. Australia launches review into former pilots training Chinese military. Australia will launch a review into the obligations former Defence Force personnel have to protect state secrets, following reports Australians were among Western military pilots who had been approached to help train the Chinese military.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday intelligence agencies and Australian Federal Police were “investigating a number of cases” in Australia, and announced a review into the policies and procedures governing Australian Defence Force personnel.
“For those who do come into possession of our nation’s secrets either through service in the Australian Defence Force or service in any other part of the Commonwealth, there is an enduring obligation to maintain those secrets,” he told a media conference.
“It’s important that we have the most robust framework possible that is in place to protect Australia’s information and protect our secrets.”
Britain has said it would change its national security laws to stop former military pilots being recruited by third-party agencies to work in China, after reports up to 30 pilots had trained the Chinese military.
British media reports have focussed on the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, which responded in a statement on its website saying it “strongly believes that its actions, and those of its employees, do not contravene any UK laws”.
New Zealand’s defence minister has also requested advice on whether the NZ Defence Force needs laws implemented to stop former military pilots training pilots of foreign militaries, a spokeswoman from the prime minister’s office said.
Four former New Zealand defence personnel worked for the South African flight training school. (Source: Reuters)
09 Nov 22. Introducing 48 Modern Airborne Brigade. The airborne assault component in the revamped SA Army order is – along with the other modern brigades making up the sharp end of Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha’s landward force – at Combat Training Centre (CTC) for a division level exercise.
The almost month-long Exercise Vuk’uhlome will see Army Regular and Reserve Force elements exercise with support from the SA Air Force (SAAF), the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), as well as Defence Legal Service and Chaplain Service divisions. Some exercise phases are intervention, peace support and a “brigade battle”.
The airborne brigade goes by the name 48 Modern Airborne Brigade, according to Second Lieutenant Daniel Maluleke, writing on SA National Defence Force (SANDF) social media for Exercise Vuk’uhlome Division Operation Communication. Brigadier General Bayanda Mkula commands the newly constituted brigade.
48 is made up of, for the exercise, 44 Parachute Regiment, widely seen as the “production factory” for South African combat parachutists, and 1 Parachute Battalion, both based at Tempe in the Free State with two infantry battalions – 6 from Makhanda in Eastern Cape and 9 from Cape Town – the tip of the brigade’s spear. The shaft, in the form of support units, comprises elements of 4 Artillery Regiment, air defence, intelligence, engineers and signals with the air force and medics also onboard. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
09 Nov 22. US, UK and Saudi navies conclude exercise Nautical Defender 22.
The exercise involved various drills, such as vessel boarding procedures and explosive ordinance disposal. Navies of the US, the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have successfully completed a trilateral maritime exercise Nautical Defender 2022. The seven-day-long training event was carried out in and around the Arabian Gulf region. The latest iteration of Nautical Defender, which concluded on 7 November, included forces from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ (RSNF) Eastern Fleet, the UK Royal Navy (RN) and the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).
The annual exercise was also attended by various observers from regional countries.
Furthermore, the exercise saw the participation of various naval assets and personnel from the US Marine Corps, Navy, Army and US Coast Guard (USCG).
Participating warships from the US Navy included Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D Black (DDG 119) and Avenger-class mine countermeasures (MCM) ship USS Devastator (MCM 6).
The USCG’s two Sentinel-class fast response cutters Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPB 1142) also took part in the exercise.
During the training event, participant vessels and forces emphasised enhancing maritime security and practised various training drills at the sea and ashore in Saudi Arabia.
The drills primarily included vessel boarding procedures and explosive ordinance disposal.
Nautical Defender is a NAVCENT-conducted multinational exercise.
Headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, the NAVCENT comprises different naval forces that operate in the regions of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and three major choke points at the Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
Last year, the Nautical Defender exercise was conducted between 20 and 29 January 2021 in the Arabian Gulf. It involved the participation of the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) along with NAVCENT and RSNF. (Source: naval-technology.com)
08 Nov 22. Tunisian Air Force modernizes training capabilities, takes delivery of first of eight Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training Systems. Textron Aviation Defense today announced the delivery of the first Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training System to the Tunisian Air Force in support of operations at No. 13 Squadron at Sfax Air Base in Tunisia. The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract comprises eight T-6C Texan II advanced military training aircraft, in-country field service and logistics support representatives, program management support, interim contractor support for the first year, training for pilots and maintenance professionals, spare engines, spare parts and aircraft support equipment.
The Beechcraft T-6C Texan II is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Defense LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.
“Textron Aviation Defense is honored the Tunisian Air Force has chosen the world’s best and most affordable military trainer — the legendry Beechcraft T-6C Texan II — as its next primary trainer,” said Fouad Kasri, director of Sales & Strategy for Africa and the Middle East, Textron Aviation Defense. “Tunisia is the thirteenth nation to acquire the T-6 and has now taken delivery of the 1,001st T-6 manufactured by our team in Wichita. We are delighted to welcome yet another North African and Mediterranean allied nation to the distinguished group of global air forces who rely on the next-generation T-6 Integrated Training System to achieve their pilot training objectives.”
Textron Aviation Defense collaborated with the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron (AFSAT) to support the Tunisian Air Force’s modernization and growth program.
“Becoming a regional leader in military flight training excellence is one of the milestones on the path to achieving our counter-terrorism and border security mission requirements,” said General Mohamed Hajjem, the Tunisian Air Force Chief of Staff. “We are grateful to Textron Aviation Defense, AFLCMC and AFSAT for supporting our acquisition of the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, as well as our efforts to achieve territorial sovereignty and regional stability. This acquisition paves the way for additional bilateral engagements and strengthens our relationship with the United States.”
Textron Aviation Defense expects to deliver the second Tunisian Air Force T-6C in late 2022. The remaining six aircraft are slated for delivery in 2023. Training of the initial cadre of pilots began Oct. 31 at Textron Aviation Defense facilities in Wichita, Kansas.
07 Nov 22. RAAF, Royal Malaysian Air Force deepen force integration at Exercise Elangaroo. The two services are expecting to deepen their interoperability during the upcoming air-to-air fighter interaction exercise. Dubbed “Exercise Elangaroo”, the exercise includes Australian F-35A capabilities as well as C-27J Spartan aircraft.
It is hoped that the exercise would enhance force integration and readiness between the two countries.
“Australia and Malaysia have a long-standing relationship and a history of conducting military exercises together,” Group Captain Ravinder Singh, RAAF co-exercise director said.
“Exercise Elangaroo features the return of RAAF’s 75 Squadron to its old home in Butterworth, where it spent 16 years living and working alongside RMAF counterparts from 1967 to 1983.
“This particular exercise will feature a range of modern air combat platforms integrating across the diverse and challenging geography and weather patterns of the Malay peninsula.
“Crews will use RMAF and RAAF tactical assets, including the application of strike and air control missions, to continue the great mutual understanding that exists between our nations.”
According to Defence, it is expected that such exercises will support Australia’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
“Elangaroo will further advance our capability to project air power at short notice,” GPCAPT Singh said.
“The employment of a potent, integrated force requires careful planning and training to ensure that if called upon, our efforts are safe, efficient and effective.” (Source: Defence Connect)
07 Nov 22. US and South Korea conduct bilateral exercises over Korean Peninsula. The drills were conducted on 5 November as part of the bilateral Vigilant Storm training event. Air assets from the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have carried out bilateral drills to demonstrate their joint deterrent capabilities.
The six-day exercise involved nearly 240 aircraft and thousands of service members from the US Air Force (USAF) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
The drills were conducted on 5 November, a one-day extension of the annual training event Vigilant Storm that was originally scheduled to take place between 31 October and 4 November.
According to a Reuters report, the exercise was extended for one more day in response to the ‘continued provocations’ by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea).
Meanwhile, the USINDOPACOM statement claimed that the drills were held to showcase the high flexibility, close coordination, deterrence and combat readiness of the forces of both countries.
The statement said: “The US remains committed to peace and prosperity through the region to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and our commitment to the defence of the ROK remains ironclad.”
The extended drills involved the participation of the USAF’s B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft and F-16 Fighting Falcons along with the ROKAF’s F-35A fighter aircraft. A Yonhap News Agency’s (YNA) report claimed that the latest deployment marks the first time, since 2017, that the US has deployed its Lancer aircraft to South Korea, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
07 Nov 22. The next stage in Wildcat weapon training launches at RNAS Yeovilton. Leonardo has enhanced the delivery of weapons loading training for the British Armed Forces through the introduction of a Weapons Loading System Trainer (WLST) based at the Wildcat Training Centre at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) in Yeovilton, Somerset.
This bespoke trainer, manufactured by Pennant International, is a key capability for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) programme. It will train operators on the full range of weapons loading, from legacy to new weapons on-board the AW159 Wildcat helicopter, in a high-fidelity training environment.
Phil Walker, CEO of Pennant International Limited, said: “We are proud to support the British Armed Forces and Leonardo with the provision of this training solution that will enhance the capability at the Wildcat Training Centre.”
Simon Jones, VP of Customer Support and Training at Leonardo Helicopters UK, commented: “The Wildcat Training Centre is the only dedicated training facility for the FASGW weapon system. It significantly reduces the dependency on live aircraft for training and it enables greater levels of integration within a state of the art training facility.”
A spokesperson for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) said: “The Weapon
Loading System Trainer (WLST) introduces a Value for Money solution with huge benefits in terms of both capability and training capacity. For the first time since Wildcat came into service, Royal Navy students will receive weapon loading training on a high fidelity device with representative aircraft systems. At a time when Front Line Wildcat crews are deploying at pace with a combination of new and existing weapons, the WLST ensures that they are best prepared to safely deliver an enhanced strike capability. This is a further demonstration of Leonardo, Pennant International, the Royal Navy, and DE&S working together to deliver world class training solutions.”
In July 2014, Leonardo signed a contract with the UK MOD to integrate, test and install the MBDA Sea Venom (Heavy) and Thales LMM (Light) missile systems onto Royal Navy AW159 Wildcat helicopters, a programme called FASGW.
The FASGW (Light) part of the programme has now seen the LMM, with its associated launcher and airborne laser guidance unit, successfully integrated into the Leonardo AW159 Wildcat sensor, displays and avionics systems. The LMM provides a step-change in capability for the Royal Navy which, in the maritime environment, faces a major challenge in engaging smaller, fast-moving, asymmetric threats, due to their high mobility, their small thermal and radar signatures and the severe background clutter encountered. The LMM is capable of surmounting these issues where traditional electro-optic and radar guidance systems do not provide the certainty of hit required.
In April of this year, Leonardo announced it was delivering the next stage of the Wildcat Integrated
Support and Training (WIST) contract, which confirmed the next five-year period of the 34-year contract originally signed in 2012.
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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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