Dawn Harrison, Head of Delivery for Maritime, Training and Simulation Services
With the increasing risk to the Royal Navy, a need has been identified to improve their close range weapons training. QinetiQ, drawing on technology developed within its Training and Simulations Services (TSS) division, has been able to help the RN meet this requirement.
Built on the Virtual Battlespace 2 (VBS2™) simulation engine, our approach offers a highly adaptable system, meaning that new threats, tactics, and techniques can quickly and cost-effectively be incorporated into the training.
20mm Fixed Base Cannon Simulator
Produced on behalf of the UK MOD for the Royal Navy, a close range weapons training (CRWT) simulation facility has been set up to provide the Navy with a flexible, reconfigurable and expandable capability that allows the delivery of individual, collective and continuation training in the use of close range weapons.
The CRWT system combines virtual scenarios and laser-based training weapons to provide a highly realistic and immersive training environment. This facility, combined with a bespoke training package, also supplied by QinetiQ, enables the Navy to perform effective simulator-based close range weapons training.
The facility includes a Weapon Director station, networked to a number of segregated high fidelity immersive weapon training stations. Multi-channel voice communications support the use of standard personal role radio equipment and are provided over the network using QinetiQ DIS Radio.
The weapons we use have a realistic ‘look and feel’, with recoil/haptic feedback provided. The instructor has the ability to make any weapon stop functioning, or create ‘jams’ and ‘stoppages’, realistically creating scenarios which might easily occur in the field.
GPMG (general purpose machine gun) Motion Base Simulators
Our approach is aligned with the UK MOD Simulation Strategy – “to procure reconfigurable and adaptable simulation and training capabilities to meet changing operational needs” – and exploits VBS2™, widely used by UK MOD and its allies.
See further examples of how QinetiQ’s Training & Simulation Services has provided training solutions for the military, as well as the commercial sector.