SubscribeThe PC-based invasion of the defence training and simulation market is here to stay. PC-based systems provide an attractive advantage in that they offer lower maintenance cost, low-risk upgrade paths and the flexibility to control the price point when choosing feature sets for applications, which all combine to yield a lower cost of ownership.
This level of hardware has made significant advances in both features and speed, and as training budgets are continually scrutinised, PC-based solutions are becoming even easier to justify for use in military visual systems. High-end systems will still be required for the most demanding tasks, but PC-based scalable systems will outnumber them by an order of magnitude.
There are software solutions that are addressing the transition from large-scale proprietary solutions to more readily deployable, re-configurable, non-proprietary simulator and training solutions.
Homeland Security:
Today's governments face the monumental challenge of addressing a multitude of threats to national security. There is a need to train for extreme events scenarios that are very difficult to realistically replicate. Design Academy have software and solutions that can visually demonstrate, interactively practice and evaluate specific aspects of homeland security from physical terrorism to national border security, bio-terrorism to intelligence - by efficiently training in aspects such as: initial detection, thorough preparation, prevention, protection, response and recovery.
This is where scalable and affordable simulation and training solutions become extremely effective. The more people are involved, the more complex the scenario, the more dangerous the situation and the more expensive the equipment and facilities you are dealing with then the more effective the simulation and training will be. First we illustrate the problem or situation, then the trainee gets their ‘hands-on’ experience and then you can evaluate the performance. This can be repeated as frequently as necessary to achieve the right level of expertise.
Emergency procedures can be practiced and reviewed in advance for many different scenarios enabling various groups working together to understand their roles in the operation. Real-time three-dimensional visualisation is a fundamental training, communication, and operational tool in any fight against terrorism.
Evolution of defence needs:
The defence training and simulation market is undergoing major changes. Some of the new prioritised needs can be summarised as follows:
- Focus toward embedded training for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence systems where training is incorporated into operational systems.
- Movement away from large developmental training systems toward non-developmental, commercial-off-the-shelf training hardware and software.
- Replace stand-alone simulators and simulations with networked systems of simulators and simulations.
- Interest in developing joint-services simulations (simulations which support Army, Navy, and Air Force).
- The traditional weapon systems acquisition process is already starting to use simulation systems in development, prototyping, and testing.
First response and safety training:
A crucial aspect of the training challenge is the ability to provide large number individuals amongst numerous agencies with a scalable, real-time hands-on training capability that includes not only visual demonstration and description of possible threats but also the capability for the individuals to interactively practice specific threat scenarios and be evaluated on their performance.
The idea is to provide a scalable, immersive (virtual) environment in which first responders can conduct realistic "hands-on" training at a fraction of the alternative real-life training cost. The training centre would be designed to train emergency personnel, security personnel and first responders in areas such as handling and disposing of dangerous devices or chemical/biological materials, infrastructure anti-terrorist protection, safety procedures and simulation of collaboration environments during emergencies.
The importance of simulation for training emergency response personnel has never been more important – it is evident that improvements can continue to be made if all appropriate departments collaborate to develop and deploy threat-based simulation models and training modules for emergency training, for identification of weaknesses in systems and staff, and for testing and qualifying response teams throughout the country.
Tools in this category can use simulations to mimic and present situations created by occurrence of a disaster event to human training subjects with the intent to improve their capabilities for effective emergency response. These tools extend from those targeted at decision makers to those targeted at first responders.
The simulation tools for training responders to be deployed in different areas impacted by the disaster use one or more computer monitors to graphically display the simulated unfolding of a disaster event, and the response actions deployed.
Safety training testimonial:
"3D with the entire Plant and thousands of components that are responsive to our us. We estimate a 90% cost reduction in training compared with alternative simulation training methods. The interactive application we deployed has enabled us an intuitive and realistic Interaction in er's actions.
This innovative EON application provides us with a complete cost effective and safe application covering all stages of training from plant simulation, building walkthroughs, component assembly/disassembly, system simulation and even reactor rod replacement" Representative of Korean Electric Power Research Institute
