Weapon Training System ready for action

[vgp]

A state-of-the-art computer generated Weapons Training System (WTS) was officially opened and ready for action at the Waiouru army camp today, 7 March.

The brand-new, multi-functional system allows soldiers to be trained in firing various weapons and practice their marksmanship skills as their Army careers develop.

As the largest range in the Southern Hemisphere with the latest advancements in software and hardware, the WTS is designed to meet the training requirements of all soldiers, from basic training to the highest level.

The WTS range has three modes: computer generated imagery (CGI), lanes and video training. Both individual and group training are able to be conducted on these modes as well as practicing procedures that are needed in all arms battle.

Limited only by imagination of the user, the CGI training capability allows the soldier to operate in a virtual environment with the capacity to carryout Indirect Fire Training (IFT) as well as call in fixed or rotary wing Close Air Support (CAS).

Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner said, “The new Weapons Training System is an invaluable addition to the NZ Army, helping us provide world-class training for our soldiers utilising the latest technological developments.

“The innovative piece of equipment gives the Army the ability to use a variety of weaponry in high-tempo, real-time and challenging situations, without the intervention of adverse weather conditions. This means more training days being available.”

Soldiers are able to use the WTS range with a number of different weapons currently used by the NZ Army including the Steyr assault rifle, light machine guns and anti tank weapons. Incorporated in the software are virtual indirect fire weapons.

The Australian Defence Force and the British Army have similar arms training equipment.

www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/20080307-wtsrfa.htm

[vgp]

Virtual practice makes perfect for new soldiers
5:00AM Saturday March 08, 2008
By Mike Houlahan



The guns are rattling, the artillery is booming and the machineguns are blazing away at the Army's new weapons training facility, but not a single round of ammunition is being fired.

Instead, trainees at the Waiouru military camp's new state of the art simulator are waging war in the comfort of a computer-generated landscape, using weapons firing compressed air rather then bullets or shells.

The aim of the new computer-driven training system is to give raw recruits experience firing their weapons before they actually venture on to a rifle range and do it for real, project manager Major Monique Brown said.

"With this system we can tell whether the angle of the weapon is being held wrong, whether the recruit is snatching their trigger, whether or not they are flinching before or after they pull the trigger. All these quite in depth things are censored and we can go back and review it with the soldier," she said.

"We can get a soldier to fire right before they get on the live firing range."


The system is not just for new squaddies, with programmes written so trainee officers can practise techniques such as calling in air support.

Experienced soldiers about to go on overseas deployments will also be able to use the simulator to practise in something like the surroundings they will be faced with when they arrive, before being sent on their missions.

With plans to build similar ranges at Burnham and Linton camps, one day soldiers at all three camps will be able to play real life, real time war games against each other without ever venturing out into the wind, rain and cold.

The simulator is housed in a large warehouse. It contains two ranges, each with 12 lanes and their own weapons pits. Opposite the soldiers are three large screens, making it look like a cinema complex.

The British and Australian armies have similar ranges to Waiouru, which is the largest such facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

"This innovative piece of equipment gives the army the ability to use a variety of weaponry in high-tempo, real-time and challenging situations, without the intervention of adverse weather conditions," Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner said.

"This means more training days being available."

www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10496908

[flyjoe180]

Sounds like an ideal piece of technology for the Army.

[phil]

All these quite in depth things are censored...

What the...

Perhaps she means 'Sensored'? As in to be sensed?

Certainly not restricted from publication.