Selected Industrial View with Jeff Murphy, President, Meggitt Training Systems
On the occasion of I/ITSEC 2017, MILITARY TECHNOLOGY publishes its Annual Simulation and Training Bosses (SATB) Series that conveys the thoughts and messages of the world’s defence simulation and training leaders, according to the question: “How do you apply/integrate live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) technologies to your tactical training, and can LVC training address the military’s readiness crisis??”
Meggitt Training Systems brings together the small arms training fundamentals to address today’s readiness crisis: integrated live-fire and simulation weapons training, backed by constructive, realistic computer-generated scenarios. This integration of capabilities is vital to enable military personnel to respond to unexpected challenges with the necessary skills and confidence. That is why Meggitt remains the only training systems company in the industry to deliver small-arms training simulators, combined with live-fire field range and indoor range solutions. In addition to being the simulation system of record for the US Army and USMC with 30-plus years of proven simulation experience through Firearms Training Systems (FATS), Meggitt with its Caswell advanced range technology has more than 75,000 live-fire target systems installed on 122 military bases around the world.
Just as Meggitt simulated scenarios correspond to anticipated conditions, live-fire products match the diverse theaters in which troops carry out their missions: from desert installations to mountainous terrain. Now by combining virtual and live fire, Meggitt’s new Live-Fire Screen intensifies the realism. Infantry can train on the FATS 100MIL virtual training system in a live-fire range using real ammunition. The Live-Fire Screen integrates directly into the FATS100MIL with the same software and courseware used with Meggitt’s patented BlueFire wireless Bluetooth weapons. This highly advanced technology gives trainee and instructor a variety of breakthrough features. The screen technology can determine the position of a hit, allowing a much shorter time between shots. In fact, it can quantify the delivery of two successive shots faster than any other screen in the industry. Further, while screen integrity is important to display a better picture for the trainee, the screen is not required to detect projectiles passing through. The system’s technology provides accurate placement of target hits. The self-healing screen is designed to withstand up to 50,000 rounds shots over the entire surface area before replacement of the screen is necessary.
Through these and similar advances, such as increasing portability, Meggitt seeks to bring training closer to actual conditions, better preparing warfighters for combat readiness.
I/ITSEC is showcasing the future of innovation across defences and www.monch.com/mpg/news/iitsec17.html brings together key developments from the show. For more information and a print version of the SATB series, please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #12/2017, available on booth #257; and frequently check back for more NEWS FROM THE FLOOR.
