World News & Analysis
Armed Forces that is interoperable with AFCTC No. 1 and 2 to accommodate the execution of large training exercises. The AFCTC will function at the brigade level, provide realistic force-on-force training, and consist of software and hardware systems that support exercise control, field instrumentation, weapons engagement simulation, after action reviews, and live and constructive commanders training. Replacing Marine MILES System – Cubic Defense Applications Inc. has been contracted to incrementally replace the US Marines' Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System. The $49.5 million replacement project provides for the training systems of the Instrumented-Tactical Engagement Simulator Increment I and additional weapon training system capabilities. I-TESS II equipment will be used to support direct force-on-force and forceon-target training. The system will be used in MOUT facilities and non-live fire maneuver ranges located at various Marine Corps bases and installations. Work will be performed in San Diego, and is expected to be completed in July 2016.
Support Maintenance and Training for Eurofighter Sims – Cassidian has received a contract from the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (Bundesamt fur Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung - BWB) in Koblenz to operate, maintain and repair six flight simulators at the German Air Force's three Eurofighter units in Rostock-Laage, Neuburg an der Donau and Norvenich. The contract runs until August 2015 and includes the performance of training operations by civilian flight instructors at the Eurofighter simulation centres. Cassidian's instructors will teach basic knowledge of how to fly the Eurofighter and will work with flying instructors from the German Air Force to train experienced pilots in the tactical deployment of the complex weapons system. The contract will be executed jointly with CAE Elektronik GmbH and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH. Support Center Contract – Booz Allen Hamilton has been awarded a prime contract to support the US Army Training Support Center (ATSC). Booz Allen will provide mission support services to
the Army-wide organizations that comprise the Training Support System (TSS) Enterprise. The TSS Enterprise manages Army ranges, land assets, and training support across the Army's emerging Live, Virtual, Constructive and Gaming domains. Booz Allen is one of four contractors issue an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity award totaling $490.9 million, which has a one-year base period and four option years. Committed to using Live, Virtual, and Constructive simulation to efficiently develop and deliver training policy and programs, Booz Allen will support all five functional areas included in the US Army TSS Enterprise contract - the Sustainable Range Program which includes Integrated Training Area Management, the Soldier Training Support Program, the Mission Command Training Center Support Program, the Training Development Support Program, and the Combat Training Center Support Program. Simulator Maintenance Contract – HiQ has received a new order from FMV, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. The SEK 13.1 million order is for the maintenance of simulators for training fighter pilots on the JAS 39 Gripen.
ISSUE 5.2011
2011 ADL Fest
MS&T MAGAZINE
38
The 2011 Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Implementation Fest, held Aug. 2-4 in Orlando, presented its usual mix of presentations on the success and future of ADL and the latest in distributed learning technologies and concepts to the fewest number of attendees in recent years. Keynote speaker Frank DiGiovanni, Director of the Training Readiness and Strategy Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, warned Fest attendees of the potential of a "hollow force," or a reduction of US armed forces readiness, because of DoD budget cuts that reduce training. He also said that ADL is a catalyst for DoD learning innovation, instruction and implementation. Kristy Murray, Director of the ADL Initiative, provided an overview of the future direction for the ADL program, which focuses on the Next Generation Learning Environment by taking advantage of emerging technologies to provide the means to facilitate learning. ADL's next goal is to maximize learner potential to perform and adapt, while maximizing technological innovation, she said. Mobile learning via advanced mobile device technologies will be a key to that effort, Murray pointed out. She also announced the new, more comprehensive version of the current ADL Mobile Learning Guide, the ADL Mobile Learning Handbook. A browser accessible version is available at http://mlhandbook.adlnet.gov. Joe Camacho, Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) Director, announced the start of the JKO Value and Effectiveness Assess-
ment that will study the value of JKO to the warfighter. He also described the 2012 Vision Start for JKO, which will focus on the mobile learning environment, followed by the incorporation of virtual world technology. Several following ADL Fest presentations covered an issue DiGiovanni had highlighted earlier, namely the transition of SCORM from DoD ownership to its shareholders. Shareholders include the educational institutions, governmental agencies and industry that have adopted the content standard for their online learning courseware. This transition will be key to the development of the next generation of SCORM, since the DoD cannot sustain the program indefinitely. Peggy Kenyon of the Army Distributed Learning Program provided an overview of the service's Persistent Learning Capability (PLC). She described the PLC as a means to revolutionize the Army's ADL Program by providing a single online portal that will take advantage of new learning technologies to support a career-long education continuum for service personnel. Thomas Giattino of the Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC) provided an account of the service's ADL as a part of its continual learning environment. Some other Fest topics covered included serious games for learning, virtual worlds, a SCORM update and the latest instructional design methodologies. More information on Fest proceedings can be accessed at http://www.adlnet.gov/ifest2011. – Chuck Weirauch