We are looking to further upgrades of our infrastructure to support training; in terms of matching new capabilities, growing the Army and our overall reinvestment in the defense estate. This will see both specialist infrastructure—such as fit-for-purpose workshop or range facilities—as well as general infrastructure, for example, new, expanded or upgraded multi-use training venues. Where possible the NZDF is trying to ensure that appropriate resources for training are incorporated into capability projects. Therefore we must be part of the acquisition process at the earliest possible stage to ensure that we provide both subject matter input into these requirements and are also preparing ourselves to deliver the training to support their introduction and through life service. In regards to requirements for system upgrades, currently we are looking principally at areas around weapon training systems within the sim environment. Our current focus is on sniper/support weapons trainer upgrades using VBS3-based products. Q: To what extent are you, or planning to, make use of live, virtual, constructive training capabilities? Thompson: Traditionally, much of the training within the NZDF was conducted through live-training capabilities, with limited virtual or constructive capabilities. During recent years, and as virtual and constructive systems have improved, there has been an increase in their uptake across training in the NZDF. MCTS makes extensive use of live, virtual and constructive simulation technologies to enable command and control procedural training across the whole Army, in both the collective and individual training space, for a wide range of ranks, specialties and functional areas. Central to this effort is the use of Masa’s Sword constructive simulation to stimulate the central piece of the
Army’s battle management system: Systematic’s SitaWareHQ. MCTS also supports small-team tactics, techniques and procedures training using Bohemia Interactive Simulations’ VBS3 virtual simulation products. MCTS will be the unit for the delivery of Army’s replacement Saab Tactical Engagement Simulation system from next year. Delivering this has also required us to cultivate a diverse range of skills not only in technology, but in adult learning and teaching, e-learning, and m-learning; training governance; and geospatial support. In the current live space we are looking towards a tactical engagement simulators fleet upgrade in June 2017, with 450 soldier sets being purchased, along with individual weapon, support weapons, grenades, improvised explosive devices and rocket propelled grenades, B vehicles and bunker protection, which will open up new areas in which to train. The new equipment will also interact with the current SART fleet of targets. In the virtual domain we have a 12-lane weapon training simulation system (WTS) at Waiouru and two mobile systems (MWTS), one at each of our main land operational camps: Linton in the North Island and Burnham in the South Island. We also have JTAC/FOT trainers, a sniper/support weapon trainer, including the upgrade of the Waiouru WTS and the building of WTS facilities in Linton and Burnham. We are also investigating the use of VBS software, where possible, to allow the capabilities to be linked. As for our future intentions, we are looking at augmented reality (AR) options as part of our future sim strategy. As part of these assessments, we have concluded that the current refresh of WMTF and the purchase of the LMC and BMC WTS will probably be the last time we invest in expensive hardware, as within 10 years AR technology will have matured enough so that AR is available and built into user’s ballistic glasses. This will allow the introduction of virtual targets to be displayed within the user’s eye wear, enabling training to occur anywhere and at minimal cost.
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