Newcastle-based Applied Virtual Simulation has been awarded a $17.9 million contract by the Australian Defence Force to deliver a suite of Common Simulation Software (CSS) and associated technologies to the Australian Army.
The project, Land Simulation Core 2.0 Tranche 1, will provide the Army with a suite of CSS for use by future simulators and in simulation-based combined arms training.
Applied Virtual Simulation (AVS) Director Martin Carr says the platform will allow Army to train within an integrated virtual environment.
"Land Simulation Core 2.0 will be the most comprehensive modernisation of simulation technology in the history of the Australian Army. It will be a key enabler of Army’s Future Ready Training System," he said.
"The Army is making substantial investments into procuring new land combat platforms and it is essential that the training systems for these platforms are able to interoperate in order to achieve combined arms training effects. Land Simulation Core 2.0 will enable this by providing a suite of Common Simulation Software and associated applications which will provide a baseline for current and future simulators and simulation-based training systems.
“AVS formulated our approach to delivering the CSS by selecting the best applications available from around the world including US based MAK Technologies and UK based SimCentric.
"In addition to delivering the software applications, we will be creating hundreds of 3D models and mapping thousands of square kilometres of real-world terrain into the simulation. This will allow soldiers to train together whether they are using a simulator in a barracks environment or deployed to a field training area."
Assistant Minister for Defence, Andrew Hastie, congratulated Applied Virtual Simulation for securing the contract.
“This contract represents a part of broader Defence investment in simulation for training and other purposes through multiple programs and projects,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.
“The new software will be rolled out across Army’s Land Simulation Network over the next two years and includes military vehicle and weapon platform."
Tranche 2 of the project will deliver an expanded Land Simulation Network to allow Army to virtually connect its geographically-dispersed capabilities and training locations.
The government’s investment in simulation training capabilities over the next decade encompasses various armoured vehicle simulation systems under Land 400.