Five CSTs over Two Years to Provide Immersive Training Capability
Thales is to deliver five Combat Staff Trainer (CST) tactical training systems to the Polish Army, marking the first time the Polish armed forces have adopted a digital solution to meet their tactical training needs, the company announced on 6 July.
The computer-based simulation system, acquisition of which was agreed to in a signing on 11 June, will be used to conduct collective training exercises in a virtual, cybersecure environment, representative of the Polish Army’s theatres of operations. It enables personnel at every level of the organisation to prepare for tactical missions in a highly realistic environment.
An AI-based computer-generated forces (CGF) application helps to develop training scenarios and control the virtual entities taking part. in the mission. The CST solution includes a complete software suite to prepare and monitor exercises and conduct after-action reviews. The CGF application models every movement of entities on the ground, taking terrain features and the perceived tactical situation into account, to reproduce their behaviours realistically. Models of the theatre of operations in both 2D and 3D will be used to construct scenarios in urban areas and open terrain (mountainous, desert, coastal, etc.), offering land forces staff a fully immersive training experience.
Developed in France, the proven CST system is already in service with the French Army. A number of upgrades and expanded functionality will be introduced to meet the specific needs of the Polish land forces, and personnel at every level of the command chain – from dismounted soldier to battalion commander – can now take part in the exercises. 3D models of the actual weapon systems in service will be developed for a more immersive training experience. The systems will be delivered to five Polish regiments, each capable of training up to 38 people at the same time. The five CSTs will be delivered over the next two years, and Thales staff on the ground in Poland will be responsible for installing and supporting them, in close collaboration with local users.