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01 Aug 19. USAF awards SBIR Phase II to HTX Labs for virtual reality training. The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II award to HTX Labs to continue the development of the HTX EMPACT virtual reality (VR) platform. In April, HTX received an SBIR Phase I award from the USAF to develop training simulations built on the EMPACT platform. The service plans to leverage the company’s platform to build highly immersive VR simulations within their education and training programmes. The simulations are intended to enhance student ‘understanding, retention and mastery of military procedures and protocols’.
HTX Labs chief technology officer Chris Verret said: “We are very excited to collaborate with them on the next generation of EMPACT, and look forward to further developing our state-of-the-art VR training platform that will unlock an entirely new way to influence and analyse the human learning process.
“This is one of the many advantages of utilising virtual reality for training, and will be the catalyst to an infinite number of possibilities for measuring the effectiveness of corporate learning and development programmes.”
The technology will be used to create immersive training content and then quantify the effectiveness of VR-enabled training simulations.
The objective of the training simulations is to enable trainers to have a benchmarking capability and time-lapse views of the student’s progress in training.
This involves the ability to measure a student’s physical performance against an expert or an entire student population.
Students will be analysed on the basis of hand movement, reaction time, eye movement, and user interactions among others.
Funding under the SBIR Phase II award will also be used for the development of multi-modal VR learning.
Under this, students will have a first-person view and a third-person view. In the first-person view, the student can ’embody the expert’ to practice through mimicking within VR.
The third-person view will only involve observing the expert within an immersive environment. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
31 Jul 19. Turkish Aerospace has signed a framework agreement on future projects with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR). In the scope of the protocol signed between Turkish Aerospace President and CEO Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil and NLR CEO Mr. Michel Peters, cooperation will be realized in the fields of aerospace research projects, trainings, modeling, simulation, testing and new manufacturing techniques.
Turkish Aerospace President and CEO, Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil and his team has made a technical visit to the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre. With the participation of NLR CEO Mr. Michel Peters, the visit stepped into development of relations between two countries. In the scope of the agreement, the following areas to be cooperated on aerospace research projects, trainings, testing, modeling, simulation and new manufacturing techniques. Both companies are aimed to investigate further collaboration areas with ongoing and future projects.
31 Jul 19. Technology gives soldiers ability to conduct real-time battle analysis. Cubic Defence Australia has partnered with the Australian Army to support the tactical capability of individual soldiers on the battlefield – enhancing lethality and survivability.
Real-time battle analysis was delivered by the military’s civilian partners during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19). Cubic Defence Australia employees calibrated weapons on board HMAS Adelaide ahead of a large-scale amphibious assault at Langham Beach, Queensland.
The team sighted the systems that were fitted on small arms for the amphibious battle group. It allowed soldiers to fire lasers and for their accuracy and effect to be measured on sensors worn by the other troops.
Operations logistics manager for Cubic Defence Australia Ben Ouwinga said the systems gave an overarching and real-time view of command and control, as well as force-on-force engagement.
“We also have the ability to instrument 58 high-fidelity vehicle kits, ranging from an M1 Abrams tank to ASLAVs [light armoured vehicles] to M113s [armoured personnel carriers] for full shoot-and-be-shot engagement capabilities,” Ouwinga said.
Every four seconds, a ping tracked everything from ground speeds to engagements, which was relayed back to an exercise command centre where a team of analysis experts captured and recorded all the events.
“For Talisman Sabre, that means Forces Command can see how the forces are working together because we can give them a holistic analysis. We are able to capture and identify mission-essential tasks stipulated by each of the training organisations of what it is that they want to achieve,” Ouwinga added.
Cubic liaison officer Major Pat McErlean, of the Combat Training Centre, said Defence had a long relationship with the company.
“This is a very important part of Talisman Sabre because it allows Army to understand the mechanics of the manoeuvres as they unfold in a real-time environment. My understanding is that Cubic are at the forefront of this technology, which is only getting better and better,” MAJ McErlean said.
TS19 is a bilateral combined Australian and US training activity. It is designed to practice respective military services and associated agencies in planning and conducting Combined and Joint Task Force operations, and improve the combat readiness and interoperability between Australian and US forces. Occurring every two years, Talisman Sabre is a major exercise reflecting the closeness of the alliance and strength of the enduring military relationship. TS19 is the eighth iteration of the exercise and consists of a Field Training Exercise incorporating force preparation (logistic) activities, amphibious landings, land force manoeuvre, urban operations, air operations, maritime operations and Special Forces activities. (Source: Defence Connect)
31 Jul 19. Georgia and US begin multinational military exercise Agile Spirit 19. The Georgian Defence Forces (GDF) and US Army Europe have started a biennial multinational military exercise known as Agile Spirit.
Hosted by Georgia, Agile Spirit 19 involves 3,300 military personnel from 14 ally and partner nations. This year’s exercise will be held at Orpholo Training Area, Senaki Air Base, and Vaziani Training Area. Agile Spirit 19 is designed to enable multinational and joint forces to synchronise and improve readiness for regional security threats and worldwide contingency operations. The exercise is intended to bolster security in the Black Sea region and enhance interoperability among the participating nations. In addition to Georgia and the US, other participating countries include the UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia said: “Agile Spirit 2019 is aimed to enhance interoperability, train and improve operational capabilities of exercise participants during planning and execution of operations in real-time within multinational environment, as well as making contribution in maintaining stable and secure environment over the Black Sea region.”
Agile Spirit 19 will run until 9 August. During the course of the exercise, soldiers will take part in command, staff and field training.
Scenarios will include live fire, engagement of manoeuvre and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations.
US Army Europe 178th Military Police Company military police officer sergeant Ryan Krohn said: “What our nations get from each other is a huge learning experience that expands from warrior to warrior, Soldier to Soldier, all the way across branches and to different militaries.
“Not only do we learn a healthy respect for each other, we learn to respect each other’s cultures, and we learn to respect each other’s military service.” (Source: army-technology.com)
31 Jul 19. Japan’s new amphibious brigade launches beach landings during Talisman Sabre drills. Japan’s newly formed amphibious brigade conducted two beach landings and other associated operations with U.S. and Australian forces during a recent large-scale exercise in Australia.
Speaking exclusively with Defense News on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s helicopter destroyer JS Ise following the conclusion of the biennial exercise Talisman Sabre, the respective commanders of the maritime force and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force contingents at the exercise expressed hope that Japan will continue to take part in future iterations of the exercise. This year saw a dramatic increase in Japanese involvement.
The Japanese contingent included 330 personnel of the JGSDF’s newly formed Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, or ARDB. Led personally by the brigade’s commander, Maj. Gen. Shinichi Aoki, the unit brought along six BAE Systems AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles, 120mm mortars and two Kawasaki CH-47JA Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
The ARDB took part in both amphibious landings — at Stanage Bay on July 16 and at the town of Bowen on July 22. At Stanage Bay, Japanese troops use AAV-7s and JMSDF air-cushioned landing craft. Defense News understands that the JGSDF was tasked with seizing a helicopter zone inland, which then allowed the Chinooks to land further troops ashore.
During the second landing at Bowen, the Japanese led the pre-landing reconnaissance elements that landed the evening before the main landings, while its AAV-7s led the first wave of the main assault force on the morning of July 22. This was followed by a helicopter assault via a JGSDF Chinook just after daybreak on July 23, which saw two lifts of Japanese troops land at Bowen Airport before moving out to secure a nearby objective.
Aoki told Defense News that the ARDB’s participation was “fruitful.” He spoke highly of the Shoalwater Bay training area, noting that its large size made it possible to conduct the full gamut of amphibious operations including ship-to-shore movements, amphibious landings and follow-on operations inland — features missing from training areas in Japan.
Echoing that sentiment, Rear Adm. Tsutomu Shirane of the JMSDF’s Mine Warfare Group told Defense News that the favorable weather over the training areas this time of year was an added advantage. The shallow, sheltered waters of the training area also made it more suitable for amphibious operations.
The JMSDF contingent at Talisman Sabre comprised of JS Ise — which carried the Chinooks along with a pair of JMSDF Mitsubishi SH-60J Seahawk helicopters — as well as the landing ship tank JS Kunisaki — which had two air-cushioned landing craft in its well dock.
Shirane also told Defense News that while the JMSDF’s primary focus at the exercise was supporting the amphibious phase, the ships also took part in the naval portion of the exercise, which included action against surface, subsurface and aerial threats.
Both commanders stated a desire for their respective services to continue taking part in future Talisman Sabre exercises, although they noted the final decision is up to Japan’s Defense Ministry. Aoki expressed “deep sincere appreciation” to Australia for hosting the exercise, which he said improved interoperability with the U.S. military and was an opportunity for further understanding and cooperation with Australian forces. Talisman Sabre is a large-scale, multidomain exercise held every two years in Australia. Centered on the country’s expansive Shoalwater Bay training area and waters offshore, the main participants are the militaries of Australia and the United States, although this year’s 34,000 participating personnel also saw contingents from Japan, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Amphibious operations are a central part of the exercise. According to Australian Army Col. Stuart Kenny, an exercise co-director whose roles included the management of training objectives, explained that both amphibious exercises were different in nature: the first was a large-scale, extended operation designed to outmaneuver an entrenched, capable opposition force by landing an amphibious force to “open the door” for an armored brigade to enter the battlefield.
In contrast, the second amphibious landing was a three-day raid to clear an island of rampaging militia and restore law and order at the request of the local government without conducting any follow-on operations, simulating a fresh crisis that erupted elsewhere while the main battle was ongoing to the south.
Kenny called the involvement of Japanese forces a “significant event,” referring to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces as “a friend of Australia who are always welcome here.” He also noted that Japan, like Australia, is a key ally of the United States and is further developing its own amphibious capabilities to deal with the changing geostrategic situation in the region. (Source: Defense News)
30 Jul 19. Singapore and China begin Exercise Cooperation. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have commenced Exercise Cooperation, a ten-day bilateral army exercise. An opening ceremony was held at Jurong Camp to mark the commencement of the exercise on 27 July.
Exercise Cooperation started in 2009 in Guilin, China. This is the fourth edition of the exercise.
This year’s exercise will involve around 240 personnel from the SAF’s 3rd Singapore Division and 1st Commando Battalion, and the PLA Southern Theater Command Army (STCA) 74th Army Group.
During the exercise, participating forces will engage in tactical training such as rappelling and urban operations training.
The armies will then undertake a combined urban raid as part of the final mission exercise.
3rd Singapore Division commander brigadier-general Frederick Choo said: “Exercise Cooperation is one of the cornerstones of our strong bilateral defence ties and defence relations between our two countries.
“Besides sharing operational experiences, one key highlight of Exercise Cooperation has always been the cultural exchange that takes place between our two peoples and the deep friendships that we forge along the way.”
Singapore Ministry of Defence stated that the exercise is another example of friendly bilateral relations between the two Asian nations.
PLA STCA deputy political commissar major-general Liu Jia noted that the exercise will enable the two militaries to ‘enhance counter-terrorism capability, deepen communication, cooperation and traditional friendship’.
During a ministerial-level meeting held in May this year, Singapore and China agreed to enhance defence ties and increase bilateral engagements.
The countries are planning to conduct Exercise Maritime Cooperation involving both navies next year. (Source: army-technology.com)
29 Jul 19. Secret Is Out: An F-35 Was Killed in a Simulated Battle Two Years Ago.
“They’re designed for air-to-air. We’re designed for the suppression of enemy air defense positions,” he said. “We can see the ground through the weather with our SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) mapping radar to detect a threat and take it out before it’s a factor to the other aircraft out there.”
After eight days “at war” the F-35A Lightning II is proving to be an invaluable asset during Red Flag 17-01, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) premier air combat exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada.
The F-35A is a fifth-generation, multi-role stealth fighter designed to gather, fuse, and distribute more information than any other fighter in history.
Lt. Col George Watkins, an F-35 pilot and 34th Fighter Squadron commander, said flying the F-35A in combat “feels like air dominance.”
“I’ve had four of my (F-35A) pilots come back from missions, guys who have flown the F-15 and F-16 at Red Flag for years, and tell me ‘This is amazing. I’ve never had this much situational awareness while I’m in the air. I know who’s who, I know who’s being threatened, and I know where I need to go next.’ You just don’t have all of that information at once in fourth-generation platform,” Watkins said.
Pilots and maintainers from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings at Hill AFB, Utah, deployed the F-35A Lightning II at Nellis AFB Jan. 20 and began flying in the exercise Jan. 23.
Since the exercise began, Hill’s Airmen have generated 110 sorties, including their first 10-jet F-35A sortie Jan. 30 and turned around and launched eight jets that afternoon. They have not lost a single sortie to a maintenance issue and have a 92 percent mission-capable rate, said 1st Lt. Devin Ferguson, assistant officer in charge of the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Legacy aircraft average 70 to 85 percent mission-capable.
Red Flag is designed to provide Airmen with realistic combat scenarios and increase survivability in real combat. The three-week exercise pits “Blue Air” (friendly) against “Red Air” (enemy) in an all-out air war featuring air-to-air, air-to-ground, search and rescue, and special forces elements. Planners say this is rigorous training for even proven weapons systems and a good test for the F-35A, still in the initial stages of operational capability.
Flying alongside F-22 Raptors, as well as a variety of U.S. and coalition fourth-generation aircraft from Australia and the United Kingdom air forces, the capabilities of the F-35A are being put to the test with robust combat scenarios that focus on the jet’s core capabilities – air interdiction, suppression of enemy air defense.
“The first day we were here, we flew defensive counter-air and we didn’t lose a single friendly aircraft,” Watkins said. “That’s unheard of.”
Because of the aircraft’s increased capability, exercise planners have increased the complexity of the scenarios for the “Blue Air” players.
“The number of adversaries has increased, their skill level has increased, the sophistication of the surface-to-air threat has increased,” Watkins said.
Facing highly sophisticated surface-to-air threats is a challenge for fourth-generation aircraft. With the F-35A, pilots can gather and fuse data from a multitude of sources and use the jet’s advanced sensors to precisely pinpoint a threat. Then they can take it out with one 2,000 pounds bomb. It would be impossible for a fourth-generation aircraft to survive such a mission, according to Lt. Col. Dave DeAngelis, F-35 pilot and commander of the 419 Operations Group, Detachment 1.
While the F-35As eliminate the advanced ground threats, F-22s are dominating air threats and the pair are clearing the way for fourth-generation assets to operate.
However even though during exercises the air-to-air combat is typically left up to the Raptor, Las Vegas Review Journal reported that at Red Flag 17-01 the F-35As have been able to achieve an air-to-air kill ratio of 15 to 1 against aggressors jets.
Watkins said he’s “never seen a Red Flag like this where they’ve put up as many advanced threats against us. If we didn’t suffer a few losses, it wouldn’t be challenging enough.”
Moreover he added that the F-35A’s debut has demonstrated that the nation’s newest stealth jet provides an essential complement to the F-22s.
“They’re designed for air-to-air. We’re designed for the suppression of enemy air defense positions,” he said. “We can see the ground through the weather with our SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) mapping radar to detect a threat and take it out before it’s a factor to the other aircraft out there.” (Source: News Now/https://nationalinterest.org)
29 Jul 19. Latest RAAF pilot grads benefit from synthetic training capabilities. CAE has announced the successful completion of a trial implementation of advanced synthetic training capabilities as part of the Introductory Fighter Course (IFC) at RAAF Base Williamtown for the Royal Australian Air Force.
The first class of pilots taking part in the IFC leveraging an increased use of synthetic training, including networked simulators, recently graduated and are now proceeding to training on their assigned fast-jet aircraft.
Utilising the two CAE-built Hawk Mk127 full-mission simulators at RAAF Williamtown, CAE and RAAF training personnel developed new virtual training scenarios focused on a range of advanced mission profiles, including air combat manoeuvring and multi-jet intercept.
In addition to enhancing the operating performance of constructive computer-generated forces within the training scenarios, CAE added realism to the advanced final stages of lead-in fighter training by networking the two FMSs, thus allowing multiple students and instructors to fly the same mission or fly against each other.
For its support in developing and implementing the enhancements to the IFC, CAE Australia received a certificate of appreciation from Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts, Head of the Aerospace Systems Division, RAAF.
“Maximum training benefit was delivered by supporting our 76 Squadron flying instructors in the use of the new mission profiles, and CAE’s efforts have been outstanding in supporting the lead-in fighter training enterprise for the RAAF,” AVM Roberts said.
During the latest IFC, use of the two Hawk Mk127 FMSs more than doubled compared with previous courses. RAAF and CAE instructors delivered the simulator training after rapid development of the new mission training scenarios. (Source: Defence Connect)
26 Jul 19. US Army military intelligence soldiers to begin Talon Strike 2019. US Army Guardsmen are set to begin a two-week training event known as Talon Strike 2019 at the Camp Bullis base in Texas. To be held between 27 July and 10 August, Talon Strike will involve around 500 military intelligence and support staff soldiers.
Guardsmen from Texas, Maryland and California carried out planning and preparation sessions to ensure all requirements are met to start the event.
Talon Strike will involve activities to test and improve the knowledge and skills of the army’s military intelligence (MI) soldiers. The exercise will be implemented by 71st EMIB planners.
The training programme will cover five separate lanes, including, interrogation, human intelligence, military source operation, signal intelligence and a command post exercise lane.
71st EMIB brigade commander colonel Michael Liesmann said: “We are focused on ensuring our soldiers from Maryland, California and Texas receive realistic training and are ready to employ their training and skills for the challenges we have planned during this exercise.”
This command post exercise lane will help prepare guardsmen of the 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade of the Maryland Army National Guard for their upcoming deployment.
636th Military Intelligence Battalion Alpha Company commander and Talon Strike 2019 planner captain Amber Luecke said: “We are here to help facilitate the command post-exercise. We are in constant communication with the 58th EMIB as they prepare to travel to Texas to participate in this operation.”
Several units will take part in the exercise, including the 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, 636th Military Intelligence Battalion and the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Texas Army National Guard, the 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade and 629th Military Intelligence Battalion of the Maryland National Guard. (Source: army-technology.com)
26 Jul 19. SimiGon secures USAF contract to supply VR systems for training. SimiGon has received a contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to provide virtual reality (VR) systems for training at Columbus Air Force Base. The contract is part of the USAF’s innovation effort and strengthens the company’s position as a provider of virtual and mixed reality technologies for training, SimiGon noted.
SimiGon president and CEO Ami Vizer said: “This VR systems supply contract is a natural fit for SimiGon, as we’ve been active in VR for almost two decades. SimiGon is well-positioned to support USAF’s innovation efforts in the VR realm.
“We expect this contract to lead to additional VR supplier opportunities in the USAF and in the government and commercial training space.”
The company stated that this contract will allow it to expand to Columbus, Mississippi, an undergraduate pilot training (UPT) airbase.
The contract comes a week after SimiGon received a contract to provide SIMbox-based T-6A mixed reality (MR) training devices for USAF UPT at Laughlin Air Force Base.
MR combines virtual and physical worlds to improve pilot training.
The MR devices will allow pilot trainees to see their hands physically interact with the simulated cockpit while being fully immersed in a high-fidelity virtual environment.
SimiGon’s Distributed Mission Training (DMT) technologies will allow for individual and collective training in formation and tactical scenarios.
Meanwhile, the company’s advanced data analytics capabilities will enable instructors to track the progress made by trainees.
Vizer said: “The USAF’s increased use of the company’s technology and MR solutions for its training pipeline demonstrates the many advantages of SIMbox as a scalable, comprehensive training system.”
SIMbox is a software platform that can be used to create, modify, manage and deploy simulation-based content. It features three main environments, SIMbox Toolkit, SIMbox Server, and SIMbox Runtime. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
26 Jul 19. Singapore and Indonesia navies conclude Exercise Eagle Indopura. The navies of Singapore and Indonesia have concluded a week-long bilateral exercise, named Eagle Indopura. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) assets that participated in the exercise include the Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast, a Victory-class missile corvette RSS Vigour, and an Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Justice. Eagle Indopura also included the Indonesian Navy’s (TNI AL) Diponegoro-class frigate KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, a Fatahillah-class missile corvette KRI Fatahillah and a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.
The exercise is the Singapore Armed Forces’ longest-running bilateral exercise and this year began with an opening ceremony on 18 July in Surabaya. Concluding on 25 July, this marked the 25th edition of Exercise Eagle Indopura, which involved three phases. The first is a harbour phase held in Surabaya, Indonesia, followed by a sea phase in the Java Sea, Karimata Strait and Singapore Strait, and the post-exercise shore phase in Singapore.
RSN fleet commander rear-admiral Aaron Beng said: “The RSN and TNI AL have a long and deep history of cooperation. I am certain that we will continue to grow and deepen these bilateral interactions in the years to come. This will enable both our navies to cooperate and tackle future challenges.”
During the sea phase, RSN and TNI AL personnel conducted a series of advanced anti-surface and anti-air naval warfare serials.
The navies also worked together for a simulated scenario during maritime security drills. The forces tackled a simulated terrorist attack on commercial shipping passing through the Singapore Strait.
The operation was carried out in response to alerts generated by the RSN’s Information Fusion Centre Real-time Information-sharing System (IRIS). Exercises such as Eagle Indopura are designed to enhance the relationship between personnel, the Singapore Ministry of Defence said. (Source: army-technology.com)
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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. Meggitt Training Systems continues to grow its capabilities based on the legacy of these two industry leaders.
Over 13,600 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. Learn more at https://meggitttrainingsystems.com/.
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