18 Dec 24. Gaming tech used to support Defence decision-making.
Dstl has worked with partners from the computer games industry to develop a new generation of tools that are helping military leaders make effective decisions.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) utilises the creative talents of the gaming industry to reinforce strategic and high-level decision-making by defence leaders.
Dstl and Slitherine (a computer games company) have developed a new generation of professional wargames. They provide military leaders with better tools to make effective decisions, which help make the UK safer and more prosperous.
These wargames aim to:
- inform the military’s force structure
- assess capability
- support operational and contingency planning
Commercial games provide a better user experience compared with traditional analytical tools. These tools can require significant experience to operate being mainly focused on the algorithms over usability and engagement.
This novel approach has generated a 50% reduction in analysis time and costs. It has successfully been used to support military contingency planning, help wargame the British Army’s structure, as well as to analyse the potential of remote and autonomous systems and other novel technologies.
Slitherine/Matrix Pro Simulations, a UK-headquartered small and medium-sized enterprise based in Epsom, Surrey, has grown from 25 to 96 staff since its partnership with Dstl starting in 2019. Its 300 recreational products include huge maps of simulated battlefield areas and modelling of modern and historic combat operations, vehicles and weapons.
Dstl has also worked with Slitherine to boost representation of ethnic and cultural diversity in its games to reflect not only the changing face of the defence workforce but of society at home and abroad.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
11 Dec 24. Last month, a joint QinetiQ-Inzpire team delivered SHARPSHOOTER, a training exercise at sea designed to improve a ship crew’s response and ensure they are as well prepared as possible for a wide range of evolving surface and aerial threats, like those they could face on operational deployment.
SHARPSHOOTER was conducted 20 miles off the coast, within the Cardigan Bay Danger Area of the Ministry of Defence Aberporth Range. The QinetiQ team based at the Aberporth Range manage the overall Range capability and provided the support to this training exercise under the Long-Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA). Using static sea targets and, for the first time at SHARPSHOOTER, dynamic aerial targets – QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind, operated under the Combined Aerial Target Service contract – the exercise also included an array of synthetic training scenarios.
Originally a weapons functionality exercise, SHARPSHOOTER has evolved substantially since its inception in 2019, and is delivered for the Royal Navy, in collaboration with its Fleet Operational Standards & Training (FOST) team. The successful delivery of the exercise this time round comprised multi-domain warfare training scenarios, continually tailored to meet the requirements of the crew on board HMS St. Albans, a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate, across the three days.
Each day started with a briefing with the ship’s captain and crew that included updates from the Met Office and National Air Traffic Services (NATS) teams based at the Range. The team then went on to deliver over 100 threat profiles across the day and into the evening, allowing the ship’s crew to practise firing at threats using live ammunition, as if on frontline deployment.
The team used a variety of static surface targets pre-positioned in the bay, as well as QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind aerial targets – these being highly representative of the threats that are seen in the operational theatre. The aerial targets were launched from Aberporth Range Head and integrated with synthetic threats designed by the Inzpire team to test the teams in the ship’s operations room. These immersive scenarios enable the crew to enhance its decision-making processes under complex conditions, and to defend against a variety of threats representative of a real-life, operational environment, using the ship’s medium and close-range weapon systems.
Commanding Officer of HMS St. Albans, Cdr Matthew Teare, said: “The quality of training has been better than I have ever seen. It has been a career highlight thanks to the realism of the scenario. A fantastic experience and one which has been hugely beneficial to my ship’s company.”
Simon Galt, Managing Director, Air, QinetiQ, said: “Our aim with SHARPSHOOTER is to ensure as immersive, comprehensive and dynamic a training experience as possible, preparing the ship’s crew for the very current evolving threat landscape. Thanks to our trials planning and delivery expertise, from Range clearance through to advanced Range safety knowledge, our joint QinetiQ-Inzpire team delivered over 100 threat profiles across day and night, tailoring the complexity of each scenario as we delivered, according to the ship’s evolving requirements.
“We’re proud of the strong partnership we have with the Royal Navy and the invaluable experience delivered to its ship and crew, to ensure they remain as safe as possible in operational environments, and achieve wider maritime security for the UK and our allies.”
Nick Borbone, Director of Collective Training, Inzpire, said: “Taking the training objectives for the exercise, we designed and implemented scenarios that allowed the ship’s team to train as they would fight. We are proud of our close integration with the FOST team and the QinetiQ Range staff, which enabled us to present an array of live and synthetic threats to test the ship’s warfighting capabilities, meet the training objectives and provide evidence for after action review.”
Contracted until 2028 to facilitate and deliver multiple SHARPSHOOTER events a year, QinetiQ will continue to provide an enhanced combination of live and synthetic threat profiles at the next exercise in March 2025.
(Source: joint-forces.com)
13 Dec 24. Babcock France strengthens fighter pilot training. Babcock France (Babcock) has purchased 11 L-39 “Albatros” aircraft as part of its international fighter pilot training academy.
The acquisition, from Apache Aviation, strengthens our capabilities to support the training and development of air force pilots.
The academy, located on a former military base, will offer programs including the training of future fighter pilots, L-39 pilot instructor certification, retraining of already qualified fighter pilots, and training for pilots and advanced controllers (JTAC) in close air support missions.
The courses, designed and delivered by former fighter pilots from the French Air and Space Force, will be specifically tailored to the needs of international air forces and aligned with NATO’s standard operational procedures. Advanced training will also be delivered on the L-39, based on realistic combat scenarios.
With this new operational capability, Babcock France aims to support fighter squadrons, military ships, and French and European army units with training missions in the form of aerial targets.
Pierre Basquin, Chief Executive Aviation & CEO France, said: “Military pilot training is a critical component of our customers’ defence capabilities. Expanding our military training activity aligns with our ambition to support our customers’ needs, both in the short and long term. With our expertise and infrastructure, we deliver a complete training system which provides military pilots with a comprehensive training experience that reflects a real military flying environment.
“Our programs will develop technical skills and instil essential attitudes for facing field challenges. By closely collaborating with our clients, we will ensure the continuous adaptation of our methods and tools to guarantee training that remains at the forefront of innovation.”
The L-39 aircraft acquired by Babcock France have flown previously as part of the “Breitling Jet Team,” the only civilian aerobatic team in the world to fly jet aircraft. The “Breitling Jet Team” has performed numerous demonstrations in Europe, North America, and Asia.
08 Dec 24. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the active phase of Exercise PIKNE concluded with a field training exercise including offensive and defensive battles. The coming week will include live-fire exercises for Allied units at the Sirgala training area.
“French Armed Forces have demonstrated the ability to deploy its units very quickly when needed, and integrate them into our operations, including covering us during mobilisation,” said Major General Indrek Sirel, Commander of the Estonian Division. “During the exercise, Reservists from the division’s air defence battery had the opportunity to practice air defence operations, which they were very satisfied with. Additionally, the Estonian Navy benefited from training alongside French ships.”
The first week of Exercise PIKNE focused on operations in northern and northeastern Estonia as well as the Gulf of Finland. During the exercise NATO practised rapid deployment of its forces to notional conflict zones, integrating them into a multinational battle group in Estonia, and collaborating to counter threats on land, in the air, and at sea. The exercise will continue with live-fire training involving French, British, and Latvian units at the Sirgala training area.
In addition, based on the proposal of the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, Reservists from the Engineer Battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade and the Short-Range Air Defence Battery of the Estonian Division were called up for snap Exercise OKAS from December 3-15 and December 3-8, respectively.
The Short-Range Air Defence unit, using recently acquired Piorun man-portable air defence systems, was demobilised this morning after six days of training. Reservists refreshed their skills to achieve combat readiness, calibrated their firearms, and performed tasks simulating wartime operations. The tasks included supporting the Engineer Battalion’s movement, defending the airspace over the units of Regional Command North-East (Estonian Defence League), and honing tactics against fighter jets and helicopters.
“There was a lot of action. Our active-duty commanders and Allied air force service members did an exemplary job creating an engaging exercise, which added significant value for our wartime unit,” said Junior Sergeant Toomas Erapart, a Reservist from the Air Defence Battery. “We observed real-life air assets, how quickly they change direction, and learned how to position ourselves to avoid detection. We also practised how to relocate after launching a missile to maintain operational readiness.”
“We are very grateful to the Estonian Air Force and our Allies for helping us train for the tasks air defence will conduct during wartime,” said Master Sergeant Aaron Lee Baum, senior non-commissioned officer of the Air Defence Battery (Estonian Division). “We set various challenging training goals and scenarios, including situations this team had not previously practised. Thanks to the dedication and readiness of all participants, especially the Reservists, we accomplished them all.”
The air defence training was supported by the Estonian Air Force with Robinson helicopters and the French Air Force with Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
The international military Exercise PIKNE, conducted from December 2-15, 2024, is led by the Estonian Division and nearly 2,000 troops from Estonia, Latvia, USA, France and United Kingdom participate in it. During the first week of the exercise, the focus was on deployment of units and increasing interoperability. During the second week of the exercise, a Live Fire Exercise (LFX) will be conducted at the Sirgala training area.
(Source: joint-forces.com)