Wescom Defence, Training and Simulation

Training & Simulation

Wescom Defence

Wescom Defence is a trusted global producer of pyrotechnics to the defence industry. Headquartered in the UK, our unrivalled reputation for technical innovation, expertise and reliability has been cemented by more than 100 years’ experience and is built on strong customer foundations. Whether you are a long-standing or new client, our aim is to develop a long-term relationship and provide you with an unmatched, bespoke service.

What we create

We design, manufacture and supply high-quality Class 1.1-1.4 energetic material and pyrotechnics at our facilities in UK, Germany and Spain that have a combined area of 293,000m2. For more than 100 years we have provided the expertise, reliability and collaboration that our customers know and trust and we will continue in our pursuit of excellence.

In 2021, we acquired PW Defence to expand our defence product portfolio, international sales network and benefit from new manufacturing and testing facilities. Our range now boasts more than 500 products and we manufacture more than 3 million pyrotechnic products a year. We are a trusted supplier to UK MoD, German BMVg, our NATO allies and friendly nations worldwide.

Why choose us

Unrivalled service

Our reputation is built on long-standing collaborations with our customers. You are at the core of everything we do and we aim to build a relationship that lasts by delivering a product and service tailored to your individual requirements.

Unmatched expertise

Our leading chemists, designers, energetic material scientists and industrial engineers work to create an extensive range of technologically advanced explosive and pyrotechnic products and payloads. Safety, quality, performance and reliability are paramount.

Security of supply

Providing assurance and a rapid response to your needs.

What we do

Our expertise covers four key areas: Signalling and screening

Our products enable effective and reliable battlefield communication for the location and extraction of combat forces in challenging operating environments, including vehicle defensive aids.

Training and simulation

We maximise combat force readiness and effectiveness by creating immersive sensory training in a safe, realistic battlefield training simulated environment.

Man-portable obstacle breaching

We clear the way ahead, facilitating effective, portable pathway clearance solutions for expeditionary forces and special operations.

Search and Rescue

We provide comprehensive, proven, and reliable capability to mark or communicate position. Effective critical asset marking, including solutions for submarines or individual position marking during daytime and night-time search and rescue operations.

270 EMPLOYEES

5 MANUFACTURING SITES

500 PRODUCTS

6 BRANDS INTL. PRESENCE

80 COUNTRIES

10 ACCREDITATIONS

Immersive Sensory Training

Training Hand Grenades

Mortars & Artillery

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)

Small Arms

Effect

Battlefield

Smart Hub

Tanks/Combat Fighting Vehicles

Training & Simulation

Smoke Effects –Signalling & Screening

Air Defence –

ManPADS

Testing Kit

Battlefield Smart Hub

The Wescom Defence Battlefield Smart Hub brings together launchers, pyrotechnic (weapon) effects and a command module that allows programming/preprogramming of battlefield effects. Wescom’s weapon effect systems have standalone capability as well as a range of interfaces to enable complete integration into modern combat training centres.

The range of realistic weapon effects that can be replicated include:

• Small Arms Effect – Single, Burst and Salvo

• Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)

• Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

• Mortars and Artillery – Air Burst Effect

• Man Portable Air Defence

Operational interface:

• Trigger input (5-36V DC)

• 20mA READY-TO-FIRE-OUT

• Radio (433MHz/315MHz/458MHz)

• 2 x RS 485 (daisy chain)

• Ethernet (prepared)

• CAN Bus (prepared)

The

Portable Air Defence Systems

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Mortars

Artillery

Training Sound Units

Small Arms Effect

Air Burst Effect

Command Module

Command Module

Wescom Defence Battlefield Smart Hub weapon effect launchers enable easy integration with laser or radio-frequency based training systems allowing for very sophisticated weapon training

Small Arms Effect

Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) required a paradigm change of operational and tactical doctrines. Accordingly, the training of soldiers in urban environments has to be adapted. The inclusion of combat effects (rifle fire, explosives, grenades and IEDs) during any combat training experience – including close quarter combat –is therefore key to creating a realistic and immersive sensory environment.

Wescom Defence Micro and Macro Pyro Cards offer this realism, ensuring the trainee is exposed to demanding and threatening situations but with the highest degree of safety.

Additionally, Wescom Defence Simulator Small Arms Fire Multi Shot has been developed for use in training exercises and has been designed to simulate retaliatory fire likely to be encountered during operational activities. They are functioned electronically and have been designed to withstand world-wide environmental conditions. They are robust, weatherproof and extremely reliable.

Micro Pyro Card Indoor Training Safety Distance 1m

MLU

Macro Pyro Card

Simulator Small Arms Fire Multi Shot Rapid & 5 Shot Electric

Micro Pyro Card

Battlefield Smart Hub Compatible

Training Hand Grenades

Wescom Defence Training Grenades are used for a wide variety of training scenarios where a realistic loud report and bright flash are required. The payload in our Training Grenade is designed to leave the main body of the grenade prior to initiation, which optimises safety and gives this store a low fragmentation risk.

Wescom Defence also offer a re-useable training grenade that has been developed to help familiarise users on grenade handling prior to progressing onto high explosive and fragmentation grenades. The re-useable training grenade can also be used in the simulation and training environment for assaulting positions and operations in built up areas.

Wescom Defence Thunderflash is also used as a training device to provide realistic simulation of battle noise from devices including artillery, bomb, missile, in-direct fire, air-dropped weapons and hand thrown ordnance such as grenades.

Training Grenade LE Reusable Training Grenade

Impact Simulator MECoST

Thunderflash

Mini FBSS

Mortars & Artillery

An “indirect firing” simulation of artillery and/or mortar fire during force-on-force engagement training requires a visualization of shells detonating either as ground or airbursts in the assumed combat zone.

Wescom Defence manufactures Air Burst Cartridges that can be activated from either the Lightweight Gunnery Signature Simulator (LGSS) or Scalable Gunnery Signature Simulator (SGSS) launcher in either a static (placed permanently on the training ground) or movable configuration (placed on a vehicle) to simulate the effect of artillery or mortar shells, detonating in the air. This provides an excellent audio visual representation of artillery and/or mortar fire in Air Burst mode. Groundbursts can be simulated by firing Main Gun Signature Simulators from LGSS or SGSS.

(Direct/Indirect Fire Cue)

Wescom Defence also manufactures Simulator Ground Burst 25 mm, 75 mm and 120 mm – these have been developed to be used in training exercises to simulate the firing of large caliber weapons ranging from 25 mm to mortar and artillery rounds upto and including 120 mm heavy mortars.

SGSS

LGSS

Groundburst Simulator

Battlefield Smart Hub Compatible

Tanks/Combat Fighting Vehicles

Realistic tank on tank training poses a number of logistical challenges and increasingly relies on use of laser based systems which do not provide realistic effects of both a tank firing and hitting a target.

Laser-based “firing” during force-on-force training demands both a visual representation and differentiation between “firing” and “hit”. Wescom Defence Scalable Gunnery Signature Simulator (SGSS) and Light Gunnery Signature Simulator (LGSS) launchers have been designed to be mounted on tanks and combat fighting vehicles and provides very realistic firing and hit training scenarios.

A variety of ammunition including High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT), Armoured Piercing Fin Stabilizing Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) cartridges can be fired from the LGSS attached to the tank delivering a realistic impact effect to both the gunner and ground forces of a projectile hitting a steel target.

SGSS and LGSS launchers allow the selection of ammunition to engage an opposing tank, e.g. HEAT, APFSDS munitions.

Wescom Defence DM 29/DM 54 hit indicator simulators are designed to be used with Launcher DARKAS on tanks and combat fighting vehicles. The two hit indicator simulators through muzzle flash (and/or sound) on the gun and weapon effect on the tank provide clear indication to all which tanks are engaged in combat training.

Tank Cannon Fire Simulator DM54 / DM64

Hit Indicator Simulator DM29 / DM39

MGSS

STARS

VDG Smoke Screening Training

Direct and Indirect Fire Cue Simulator Smokes

FBSS

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) & Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) pose an ever increasing threat to modern day combat and law enforcement forces. Effective training to counter this threat is critical to ensuring safety and survivability of the operating forces.

Wescom Defence electrically initiated sound units have been designed for use in training personnel in the disarming and ‘making safe’ of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). When fitted into a training IED they indicate errors in drills by producing a loud report and bright flash without producing any hazardous fragments.

FBSS

Training Sound Units

SGSS 8 Launcher

Battlefield Smart Hub Compatible

Smoke Effects –Signalling and Screening

Use of smoke for both signalling and screening is an absolute necessity of modern day military operations. Wescom Defence has been a market leader in the design and development of both hand and vehicle launched grenades for tactical signalling and screening effects.

Wescom Defence Scalable Gun Signature Simulator (SGSS) or Light Gunnery Signature Simulator (LGSS) used in conjunction with coloured smoke enables the soldier to train under stress in force-on-force or force-on-target exercises by simulating various scenarios like IED blast, vehicle mobility kill, casualty evacuation etc.

Wescom Defence training smoke products include Smoke Generator Electric – developed to meet the training requirements for Fire Brigades and Naval Damage Control Teams on land or sea. Similarly, the Remotely Pilot Vehicle (RPV) target smoke generator has been developed to provide visual enhancement for RPV’s for simulation and training purposes.

CS Respirator Testing Kit

The respirator test kit has been developed to provide a safe but realistic environment in which to undertake fitment trials on personal protective equipment (PPE) and practice/test elements of the chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear (CBRN) syllabus.

The test kit can be used to assist in the fitting of respiratory protective equipment by providing the user with mild, nonpersistent discomfort if the protective seal is compromised. Secondly, this store also can be used to imitate a contaminated environment in which to carry out de-contamination, drinking & canister change drills.

SGSS

Direct and Indirect Fire Cue Simulator Smokes

Smoke Generator – Electric

VDG Smoke Screening Training

Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target Smoke Generator

CS Respirator Testing Kit

Air Defence – ManPADS

Increasingly Man Portable Air Defence Systems (ManPADS) represent a very real and significant threat to helicopters. Despite new counter measures being designed to protect aircraft against ManPADS, a quick pilot reaction and deployment of effective countermeasures is key to survivability. Given the need to make every second count, effective and realistic pilot training is key to countering this lethal threat.

Wescom Defence has developed Weapon Effect Signature Simulator (WESS) that mimics firing of an actual ManPAD Surface-to-Air Missile by providing a realistic smoke and flash signature. The simulator launches a self-consuming pyrotechnic cartridge vertically creating a continuous, smoke trail from the ground upwards simulating a MANPADS contrail signature, providing a visual stimulation for both the helicopter crew and ground forces.

WESS allows aircrew to train in a more realistic missile engagement environment and improve their ability to detect and counter the threat. This significantly enhances the air crew training experience, heightens situational awareness and has been proven to reduce the reaction time required to deploy counter measures or initiate escape maneuvers.

WESS system is designed to be lightweight and can be carried by one soldier in a backpack, the system is very safe to use and is in service with a number of elite customers around the world including the US DOD.

ManPADS M176

WESS Launcher including Backpack

WESS Launcher

Training & Simulation Product List

BATTLEFIELD SMART HUB

Portable Control Unit-PCU

SMALL ARMS EFFECT

Lightweight Gun Signature Simulator - (LGSS)

Simulator for Artillery and Multi-effects (SAM)

Micro Pyro Card MiPC

TRAINING HAND GRENADES

Flash Bang Smoke Simulator Mini FBSS

Impact Simulator MECoST

MORTARS & ARTILLERY

Impact Simulator (Thunderflash) MECoST

Impact Simulator (Thunderflash)

Thunderflash

TANKS/COMBAT FIGHTING VEHICLES

Main Gun Signature Simulators MGSS

FBSS

Direct and Indirect Fire Cue Simulator Smokes

Macro Pyro Card MaPC

Direct/Indirect Fire Cue Simulator APFSDS

Simulator Small Arms Fire Multi Shot Rapid & 5 Shot Electric

Training Grenade LE

Reusable Training Grenade

Groundburst Simulator

Direct/Indirect Fire Cue Simulator Air Burst

STARS

Tank Cannon Fire Simulator DM54 A1 / DM64

Hit-Indicator Simulator DM29 / DM39

IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES (IED) & UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE (UXO)

FBSS

Scalable Gun Signature Simulator - SGSS

Training Sound Units

SMOKE EFFECTS – SIGNALLING AND SCREENING

Direct/Indirect Fire Cue Simulator Smokes

SGSS

Vehicle Launch Grenade – training variant

AIR DEFENCE - MANPADS

Direct/Indirect Fire Cue Simulator Air Burst

TESTING KIT

CS Respirator Test Kit

Remotely Piloted Vehicle

Target Smoke Generator

Smoke Generator – Electric

Surface-to-Air Missile Simulator ManPADS

Immersive Sensory Training Training & Simulation

Core Competence & Capabilities

Wescom Defence is a versatile and specialist manufacturer of energetic materials and pyrotechnics. Our Engineering and Technology Centres boast a highly skilled & experienced team from technician level through to engineering graduates and energetic materials scientists. The team specialises in engineering, chemistry, physics, computer modelling, data acquisition and analysis.

Our service involves working with and compliance with various United States Military Standards (MIL-STDs), UK Defence Standards (Def Stans) and The NATO Standardisation Agreements (STANAG) where applicable.

Pyrotechnics

Our highly experienced team are specialists in mixing and pressing of pyrotechnic materials including flash & flare. Controlling the environment during storage and processing remains critical for safe handling of pyrotechnics and explosives and ensuring a quality end product. We remain at the forefront of pyrotechnic manufacture, evolving to meet bespoke customer demands whilst remaining lean and providing value to our customers and partners.

Smoke Compositions

We have been at the forefront of developing and manufacturing smoke compositions for many years, hand-in-hand with supplying the carrying and ignitions system to match. Our portfolio includes low toxic products and RP smoke products, depending on the application required. Whether vivid signalling colour or rapid deployment of dense screening smoke is required, our solutions remain adaptable and robust for any environment.

Explosives

Throughout our history the presence of high explosive (HE) materials has been a common feature. In our early years, we stored, pressed and manufactured HE items for many different applications including pressed RDX pellets and canopy cutting cords for various fast jet aircraft as well as demolition stores including Beehives and Bangalore Torpedo. Presently we continue to import, store and manufacture raw HE materials for use in products with various applications.

Environmental Tests & Qualification

Wescom Defence’s environmental test facility and engineering team can provide a number of options for any scale of project. This includes the full spectrum of UN ‘Orange Book’ Series testing including packaged and unit drop testing (up to 12m), bonfire testing, vibration tables and climatic and conditioning chambers to name a few. Our specialist teams can provide all up project management for product and material qualifications from cradle-to-grave utilising our vast team of UKAS accredited partners for support where required.