Military training, simulation and education will form a key pillar of Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), the market leading event for land, sea and air applications of defence and security products, technology and services.
As many of the world's armed forces continue to face the challenge of countering a complex range of threats with constrained budgets, military training remains at the very centre of the defence and security sector. Indeed, training is essential for all military personnel, enabling the performance of physically and mentally demanding tasks at the highest possible levels of proficiency while operating in highly stressful and dangerous environments.
While economic factors are causing nations to seek value for money in terms of manpower and equipment, new training methods are seen as vital enablers and force multipliers by countries seeking to maintain necessary levels of proficiency.
This increased emphasis is reflected by the impressive pace at which the technology is being developed. DSEI will showcase the whole spectrum of capabilities and innovative solutions that help militaries train cost effectively and for the long term, while maintaining readiness to mitigate a multitude of threats. The event will also include a comprehensive series of seminars focused on pertinent training issues and the role of training in major military programmes.
The evolution in simulation technology means that military professionals are now able to immerse themselves in increasingly realistic and high fidelity training environments. Moreover, the training providers who originally developed solutions specifically designed for military contingency are enhancing their offering with dual applications for the civil sector and visa versa. Motion Reality (stand N5-371) will feature the next generation Dauntless immersive trainer. The unique technology has trained FBI and SWAT teams and has also been used in celebrated cinematography, such as Lord of the Rings, Avatar and Polar Express.
Airbus Defence and Space (stand S2-310) will showcase its cutting-edge products, technologies and services using virtual reality. A first for both the company and DSEI, the entire stand has been designed around bespoke virtual reality cockpits; and will transport visitors into a virtual world wearing Oculus Rift headsets. This will also allow it to convey the breadth of its current portfolio across defence, space, military and civil aircraft in a unique way.
Visitors will be invited to experience three scenarios: disaster relief, a virtual air show and even a trip to Mars. The disaster relief scenario features the world-leading Airbus A400M military transporter bringing aid to a small town that has been devastated by an earthquake.
Training to counter the growing threat from Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) attack is essential in this time of heightened security. Argon Electronics (stand S4-270) will launch a new radiation detector simulator. The ADM-300 simulator replicates the Canberra ADM-300A (V1B) radiation survey meter which detects beta and gamma radiation and is deployed with the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Air Force, among others. It is used for teaching critical search and rescue, reconnaissance, survey and location skills as well as a practical understanding of mapping, shielding and safe demarcation in a challenging environment.
Maritime training will also feature prominently with SeaOwl Group's VN Partisan naval training vessel making a DSEI debut in the ExCeL's Royal Victoria Dock. The commercially-owned ship, which is currently used to train the French Navy, will form part of an exclusive waterborne showcase staged by 43 Commando Royal Marines, as they demonstrate their rapid boarding methods and ability to safely secure a vessel.
On Thursday 17 September from at 1000hrs in DSEI's West Theatre, Paul Appelquist, Head of Future Business at Babcock International Group, will address the issue of Reskilling for the 21st Century. He will be followed by Corinne Jeffrey, Director, UK MOD Defence Simulation Centre, who will look at Requirements for training interoperability, before Lt Cdr Paul Newall, UK MOD, examines F-35 training and simulation in a session focused on Collective Training: Concepts and Future Challenges. These sessions will be hosted by ITEC, the principle annual military training and simulation event also organised by Clarion Events.
Duncan Reid, DSEI 2015 Event Director said: "DSEI is well placed to identify and analyse new and emerging trends in the global defence market and this is reflected by the broad mix of exhibitors which will display the latest military training and simulation innovations. The on-going evolution of the defence landscape has required the armed forces to take a fresh look at training and simulation and DSEI provides a unique setting to showcase the on-going initiatives taking place in our industry and how these technologies can be applied across many domains and new markets".
DSEI will take place at ExCeL London between 15-18 September.
Additional training and simulation capability highlights
CAE (stand N3-640) has recently been awarded defence contracts valued at more than C$120 million to provide simulation products, operational systems and training services for a range of global military customers. Some of the key contracts include delivering MQ-1 Predator/MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft aircrew training services for the US Air Force, while Mitsubishi Electric United States has selected CAE to provide its magnetic anomaly detection technology for twenty P-1 maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Japanese Ministry of Defence. The detection system provides the capability to detect, locate, and confirm subsurface targets by identifying magnetic variations or anomalies, such as those caused by a submarine, in the Earth's magnetic field.
Close Air Solutions (stand N7-210) will also showcase its Ruggedized Deployable Immersive Close Air Support Simulator (RD iCASS), a modular version of the iCASS Full Mission Simulator that was delivered and accredited as part of the UK JTAC Training programme. RD iCASS uses head mounted displays and is provided with a full suite of simulated military equipment, tailored to national requirements and can be set up in any location. This allows users to train in both day and night environments, with the equipment that they will use in theatre.
Visitors to the stand will be given the opportunity to win an iPad mini:
Malvern-based company, 3SDL (stand S10-451) provide a broad range of training consultancy services, including detailed Training Needs Analysis, and specialised courses in development and delivery.
Harquebus (stand N7-363) is responsible for training the intelligence teams of Counter Terrorist Special Forces. A key benefit of this training enables intelligence professionals to appropriately contextualise their operational environments, ask better questions and employ the latest analysis techniques in support of their decision-makers.
Lockheed Martin (stand S8-210) is meeting the increasing global demand for C-130J military and LM-100J commercial flight training with a new International Training Centre (ITC) to be located at the corporation's Marietta, Georgia, Aeronautics facility.
Featuring academic classroom space and simulator facilities to support the full spectrum of aircrew training, the centre will support training needs including initial qualification, refresher courses, instructor qualification and mission training. The centre is currently under construction and will open in 2018.
The ITC is co-located with the manufacturing line for the C-130J – the world's most advanced military tactical airlifter – and the LM-100J, a civil multi-purpose air freighter. This location is easily accessible for domestic and international customers with its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which serves more than 60 international cities in 50 countries. Lockheed Martin has a legacy of C-130 training with nearly 200,000 students trained to date.
Zen Technologies (stand N7-140) will be displaying a broad range of simulators and training equipment. The company's product portfolio includes an Anti-Aircraft Air Defence simulator, UAV mission simulator, Tactical Engagement Simulator, Medium Machine Gun simulator, Weapons Simulator, 81mm Mortar Training Simulator, Armour Combat Training System and a Smart Target system. A Combat Training Centre concept will also be featured.
