Saab & Lockheed Martin Awarded US Army Training System Contract
The US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) has recently ordered a tactical fire- and target system (Vehicle Tactical Engagement Simulation System – VTESS) for combat vehicles from Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL/USA in cooperation with Saab Training & Simulation, Orlando and Huskvarna, Sweden. The order value for Saab’s part of the contract is approx. SEK100 million with deliveries taking place between 2017 and 2018.
This system enables soldiers to conduct live, highly realistic combat exercises using their existing platforms and weapons systems. Lockheed Martin and Saab will provide a cost effective, modular, user friendly training solution that combines multiple training systems for vehicle crews into a single product line. VTESS will include training solutions for trucks and smaller vehicles and laser transmitters for both small arms and main guns for armored vehicles. Saab’s part of the contract includes laser simulators, detectors and electronics to the VTESS system that is developed by Saab engineers.
“This contract is a result of the combination of skillsets and capabilities from both Lockheed Martin and Saab. Saab has long experience of deliveries to the US Army in its own right and we see this new joint approach as a natural evolution of that good relationship,” Åsa Thegström, head of business unit Training & Simulation within Saab business area Dynamics, said. “Together with Lockheed Martin we will deliver a training system that provides the Army with the best training capability for future needs.”
“Through VTESS, we are changing the way vehicle crews take part in training exercises with a system that is both robust and simple to use,” Sandy Samuel, Vice President, Training and Simulation Solutions, Lockheed Martin, concluded. “We are providing an open architecture solution that will enable the US Army to expand how they train soldiers and allow them flexibility in integrating third party components, both now and the future.”