Engility Holdings has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a $650 million ceiling to provide technical advisory services to the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The five-year contract represents new work. Task orders issued under the IDIQ can be cost-plus-fixed-fee or firm-fixed price. Through the Making Cities Work IDIQ, Engility will provide a broad range of technical services, including multi-year projects, to USAID/Washington bureaus and USAID missions worldwide in urban service delivery and related areas, including: water and sanitation; climate change; disaster preparedness, response and recovery; improved autonomy, transparency, responsiveness and accountability of urban and local governments; and improved urban and local finance, creditworthiness, and borrowing. Furthermore, Engility has won a $42.9 million contract to provide system engineering, design, prototype, and testing and evaluation for shipboard and shore-based electronic systems under a programme supporting the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). This new contract, which is administered by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, provides Engility with the opportunity to continue and expand its work for NAWCAD and is a $42,939,009 three year (one year base plus two options) agreement. “We appreciate the confidence our US Navy customer places in our work and we welcome the opportunity to support these mission critical Naval Aviation programmes,” said Engility President and CEO Tony Smeraglinolo. “This win reflects the outstanding management and technical expertise our professionals have provided to NAWCAD for the past 16 years and as a customer-focused company, we remain committed to ensuring mission success for the Navy.”
Amazon AppStream is an application streaming service from Amazon Web Services, which enables resource-intensive applications to stream from the cloud, reducing hardware requirements for Simulation, 3D Modeling, CAD/CAM, and other interactive applications. With Amazon AppStream, one can expand the reach of one's application to more devices, enabling field testing on mainstream tablets and mobile devices, and cost reductions in training lab maintenance. The instant-on experience of streamed applications eliminates the frustrations of time-consuming download and installation processes common in desktop applications. AppStream can be seen in action in a step-by-step demo of deploying an existing application to the cloud at the DiSTI Corporation's booth #2419.
A-T Solutions won a task order worth $32.8 million (if all options are exercised) to provide training and ancillary support to the USMC Engineer School’s Counter-IED Training Programme. The task order supports JIEDDO JCOE’s Joint Counter-IED Integration Training Program (JCITP) and was awarded by the GSA Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM) on behalf of the Department of Defense’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Joint Center of Excellence (JCOE). Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of A-T Solutions says this training is critical to ensure the, “Marines are well-prepared for their missions, understand the hostile regions and environments in which they will be working and are ready to face the possible threats.”
On behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Ascent consortium recently selected the Beechcraft T-6C as the aircraft to complement the BAE Systems HAWK T2 in the training pipeline to conduct fixed wing flight training for the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy (RN) and Army Air Corp pilots.The RAF and RN now join the US Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force as operators of the Beechcraft T-6C which will be used to train piots in readiness for the Joint Strike Fighter. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) recently took delivery of its fleet of T-6C aircraft and has commenced the transition of this platform into training operations. As testament to the pedigree of the T-6C's design, the NZDF has already extended the planned life of type for their fleet beyond the required 20 years out to 30 years. 27 Air Forces globally now depend on the T-6C to graduate in excess of 2,250 pilots each year. In addition, four of the 'Five Eyes' nations (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia) are now operating the Beechcraft T-6 military trainer in their undergraduate pilot training systems. Beechcraft's T-6C has been put forward as the platform of choice for BAE Systems Australia's Air5428 bid to support the Australian Defence Force's future pilot training system.
The IDESS Maritime Training Centre in the Philippines purchased a VSTEP simulator classroom for training of its customers in compliance with international maritime standards and regulations. The simulators provide IDESS with a high tech tool to enhance their current simulator training and offer customers certified simulator courses in navigation at the IDESS centre. IDESS is an ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assured company providing training courses to maritime students and personnel in the Philippines. The classroom purchase by IDESS includes 4 high performance NAUTIS Desktop Trainers and an Instructor Station to allow the instructor full exercise control during training sessions. Following the recent scrutiny Philippine seafarers have come under due to the 2013 European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audits and results, high quality training in compliance with current maritime regulations remains a priority for the leading training centres in the region. The installation of the simulator classroom gives IDESS full capability to provide cost effective training in compliance with the latest STCW and IMO standards. The classroom was delivered and installed by VSTEP and its Philippine partner Delnet and selected IDESS instructors have received simulator operation training from VSTEP engineers. The new simulators courses will be integrated in the IDESS training curriculum on offer.
I/ITSEC 2014 sees TerraSim, Eurosimtec, Motion Analysis, and SimCentric Technologies as booth partners of Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) for the show, alongside new partner Fujitsu. BISim gives a preview of its latest product VBS IG, representing a new class of game-based image generation software, based on CIGI v3.3 standards, integratable with existing and legacy simulators and meeting traditional IG requirements, leveraging VBS3's massive content library, with over 9,000 characters, vehicles, weapons and objects. And, BISim optimised the VBS engine to deliver high frame rates, long view distances and many moving entities. The VBS3 host control for VBS IG allows desktop users to operate in the same battlespace as part-task trainers and full-mission simulators. Furthermore the following can be found at booth #2235, alongside plans for VBS3Fires and VBS3Strike in 2015 and beyond:
BISim's VBS3 continues to evolve as a highly versatile training enabler, designed for tactical training and mission rehearsal. VBS3 v3.6, available since 28 November, includes the following new features: Improved performance for large and complex terrains, new command and control functions, advanced wounding and bleeding simulation, and control of wave heights using the Douglas Sea Scale.
TerraSim is showcasing TerraTools 5 and the Batch Mode Manager, a new plug-in that automates and monitors the development of large area environments. TerraSim demonstrates innovative advances in image classification and legacy terrain database reuse within our MaterialMAP and Xtract source data preparation products.
Eurosimtec provides simulation systems, software products as well as services and training solutions. The company's 3D virtual simulation systems and products ensure best training motivation and optimise training success. Eurosimtec's products include VB-Edit, a rapid 3D scenery and object editing tool one can use with VBS2; C³I-TS, an extension for VBS2 to simulate higher-echelon units and command structures; Visto, an operations research tool for military forensics developed for and in cooperation with the German Forces that enables the reconstruction and analysis of incidents in the simulation environment; and SOLUS, a Scalable, Unmanned Systems Training and Mission Solution product family.
Fujitsu's Secure by Design, virtual cloud-based training environment is a unique solution enabling access to VBS software in distributed environments, across a variety of ubiquitous platforms and services requirements. The system allows users to get instant, secure access to the training they need, when and where they need it. Using the built-in library, users and administrators can choose to seek consumption by the hour, user or task, thereby providing compliance and transparency in the organisation. The virtual, cloud-based service means training authorisers can meet short-term needs for more users or upgraded applications as and when those needs arise. Users can pause or log out of a training activity on one device and then simply log in and pick up the same activity again on another device, providing agility for users to complete their training at will, in all environments.
Motion Analysis is one of the world's largest manufacturers of high performance optical instrumentation systems that test and measure the movement of objects. Their systems combine proprietary hardware, software and electro-optical techniques with standard computer and camera hardware. These systems evaluate motion in a wide variety of applications: Animation Production, Movement Analysis, and Industrial. The company works closely with renowned specialists and third-party software developers to create value-added application software targeted at very specific vertical markets. Motion Analysis Corporation then licenses, maintains, and markets the software with its hardware systems.
SimCentric is showcasing VBS2Fires and VBS2Strike, as well as the recently enhanced VBSFusion. VBS2Fires is a professional Call-For-Fire training application, VBS2Strike is a close air support training application both combining the flexibility and stunning visuals of VBS, with a highly sophisticated Call-For-Fire training and simulation system. VBS2Strike is designed to facilitate the training of a Forward Air Controller, and uses its internal AI engine to determine aircraft flight patterns and attack profiles, based on the values entered into the system. SimCentric is demonstrating their pattern of life products, Crowd Ambience and Traffic Ambience, and demonstrate their new video streaming technology for VBS2 and VBS3.
Riptide Learning, a division of Riptide Software, demonstrates its first ever xAPI-enabled training for rifle marksmanship ranges: Riptide’s REAPER proof of principle was selected by the ADL for demonstration at PlugFest - a satellite event at I/ITSEC. PlugFest is a special one-day event at I/ITSEC 2014 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The Advanced Distributed Learning Directorate (ADL) hosts PlugFest to provide demonstrations and education about Experience API (xAPI). Riptide is demonstrating REAPER (Range Experience Acquisition Portal for Evaluation and Reporting). REAPER is an ADL-funded effort, which leverages xAPI and Riptide’s Elements courseware delivery to provide fully integrated military training range data to individual shooters, coaches/commanders, and researchers. “We’re very excited to be working with the ADL team,” said Nick Washburn, Director of Riptide’s Learning Division. “xAPI is the beating heart of our core product, Riptide Elements, so it is an honor to be part of the hands-on demonstrations and share our successes at one of the industry’s leading conferences with xAPI user groups from all over the world.”
Soldier readiness is the end result of the products and services provided by AEgis Technologies. Their products consist of fully configured simulation and training solutions including hardware, software and services. Located in booth #2411, AEgis features:
"AEgis remains committed to providing quality products and innovative training solutions," said David King, AEgis executive vice president of Technology Solutions. "I/ITSEC provides us the opportunity to showcase our capabilities as well as keep our finger on the pulse of the War Fighters' needs and this industry."
Rockwell Collins debuted its RealFires transportable trainer along with its newest mobile training and electronic publications capabilities for the first time at I/ITSEC. In addition to its new mobile training offerings, the Rockwell Collins booth #2201 featurse the following offerings designed to meet the most challenging training and simulation tasks:
Rockwell Collins also introduces its latest eBook, "Interoperability 2.0: The simulation and training tipping point." The eBook shares the importance of interoperability in driving the rapid acceptance of new simulation and training technologies by the aerospace and defense industry and military users. The eBook also explains how interoperability can benefit the use of visual systems, distributed mission training and Live, Virtual, and Constructive training. In addition, it covers key industry subjects such as determining the ideal balance between live and virtual training and the utility of games technology in training.
***
Amazon AppStream is an application streaming service from Amazon Web Services, which enables resource-intensive applications to stream from the cloud, reducing hardware requirements for Simulation, 3D Modeling, CAD/CAM, and other interactive applications. With Amazon AppStream, one can expand the reach of one's application to more devices, enabling field testing on mainstream tablets and mobile devices, and cost reductions in training lab maintenance. The instant-on experience of streamed applications eliminates the frustrations of time-consuming download and installation processes common in desktop applications. AppStream can be seen in action in a step-by-step demo of deploying an existing application to the cloud at the DiSTI Corporation's booth #2419.
***
A-T Solutions won a task order worth $32.8 million (if all options are exercised) to provide training and ancillary support to the USMC Engineer School’s Counter-IED Training Programme. The task order supports JIEDDO JCOE’s Joint Counter-IED Integration Training Program (JCITP) and was awarded by the GSA Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM) on behalf of the Department of Defense’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Joint Center of Excellence (JCOE). Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of A-T Solutions says this training is critical to ensure the, “Marines are well-prepared for their missions, understand the hostile regions and environments in which they will be working and are ready to face the possible threats.”
***
On behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Ascent consortium recently selected the Beechcraft T-6C as the aircraft to complement the BAE Systems HAWK T2 in the training pipeline to conduct fixed wing flight training for the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy (RN) and Army Air Corp pilots.The RAF and RN now join the US Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force as operators of the Beechcraft T-6C which will be used to train piots in readiness for the Joint Strike Fighter. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) recently took delivery of its fleet of T-6C aircraft and has commenced the transition of this platform into training operations. As testament to the pedigree of the T-6C's design, the NZDF has already extended the planned life of type for their fleet beyond the required 20 years out to 30 years. 27 Air Forces globally now depend on the T-6C to graduate in excess of 2,250 pilots each year. In addition, four of the 'Five Eyes' nations (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia) are now operating the Beechcraft T-6 military trainer in their undergraduate pilot training systems. Beechcraft's T-6C has been put forward as the platform of choice for BAE Systems Australia's Air5428 bid to support the Australian Defence Force's future pilot training system.
***
The IDESS Maritime Training Centre in the Philippines purchased a VSTEP simulator classroom for training of its customers in compliance with international maritime standards and regulations. The simulators provide IDESS with a high tech tool to enhance their current simulator training and offer customers certified simulator courses in navigation at the IDESS centre. IDESS is an ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assured company providing training courses to maritime students and personnel in the Philippines. The classroom purchase by IDESS includes 4 high performance NAUTIS Desktop Trainers and an Instructor Station to allow the instructor full exercise control during training sessions. Following the recent scrutiny Philippine seafarers have come under due to the 2013 European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audits and results, high quality training in compliance with current maritime regulations remains a priority for the leading training centres in the region. The installation of the simulator classroom gives IDESS full capability to provide cost effective training in compliance with the latest STCW and IMO standards. The classroom was delivered and installed by VSTEP and its Philippine partner Delnet and selected IDESS instructors have received simulator operation training from VSTEP engineers. The new simulators courses will be integrated in the IDESS training curriculum on offer.
***
I/ITSEC 2014 sees TerraSim, Eurosimtec, Motion Analysis, and SimCentric Technologies as booth partners of Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) for the show, alongside new partner Fujitsu. BISim gives a preview of its latest product VBS IG, representing a new class of game-based image generation software, based on CIGI v3.3 standards, integratable with existing and legacy simulators and meeting traditional IG requirements, leveraging VBS3's massive content library, with over 9,000 characters, vehicles, weapons and objects. And, BISim optimised the VBS engine to deliver high frame rates, long view distances and many moving entities. The VBS3 host control for VBS IG allows desktop users to operate in the same battlespace as part-task trainers and full-mission simulators. Furthermore the following can be found at booth #2235, alongside plans for VBS3Fires and VBS3Strike in 2015 and beyond:
- VBS IG: The next innovation in image generation.
- New Features and Capabilities in VBS3 v3.6
- Demonstrations of VBS IG
- VBS3 snow simulation
BISim's VBS3 continues to evolve as a highly versatile training enabler, designed for tactical training and mission rehearsal. VBS3 v3.6, available since 28 November, includes the following new features: Improved performance for large and complex terrains, new command and control functions, advanced wounding and bleeding simulation, and control of wave heights using the Douglas Sea Scale.
***
TerraSim is showcasing TerraTools 5 and the Batch Mode Manager, a new plug-in that automates and monitors the development of large area environments. TerraSim demonstrates innovative advances in image classification and legacy terrain database reuse within our MaterialMAP and Xtract source data preparation products.
***
Eurosimtec provides simulation systems, software products as well as services and training solutions. The company's 3D virtual simulation systems and products ensure best training motivation and optimise training success. Eurosimtec's products include VB-Edit, a rapid 3D scenery and object editing tool one can use with VBS2; C³I-TS, an extension for VBS2 to simulate higher-echelon units and command structures; Visto, an operations research tool for military forensics developed for and in cooperation with the German Forces that enables the reconstruction and analysis of incidents in the simulation environment; and SOLUS, a Scalable, Unmanned Systems Training and Mission Solution product family.
***
Fujitsu's Secure by Design, virtual cloud-based training environment is a unique solution enabling access to VBS software in distributed environments, across a variety of ubiquitous platforms and services requirements. The system allows users to get instant, secure access to the training they need, when and where they need it. Using the built-in library, users and administrators can choose to seek consumption by the hour, user or task, thereby providing compliance and transparency in the organisation. The virtual, cloud-based service means training authorisers can meet short-term needs for more users or upgraded applications as and when those needs arise. Users can pause or log out of a training activity on one device and then simply log in and pick up the same activity again on another device, providing agility for users to complete their training at will, in all environments.
***
Motion Analysis is one of the world's largest manufacturers of high performance optical instrumentation systems that test and measure the movement of objects. Their systems combine proprietary hardware, software and electro-optical techniques with standard computer and camera hardware. These systems evaluate motion in a wide variety of applications: Animation Production, Movement Analysis, and Industrial. The company works closely with renowned specialists and third-party software developers to create value-added application software targeted at very specific vertical markets. Motion Analysis Corporation then licenses, maintains, and markets the software with its hardware systems.
***
SimCentric is showcasing VBS2Fires and VBS2Strike, as well as the recently enhanced VBSFusion. VBS2Fires is a professional Call-For-Fire training application, VBS2Strike is a close air support training application both combining the flexibility and stunning visuals of VBS, with a highly sophisticated Call-For-Fire training and simulation system. VBS2Strike is designed to facilitate the training of a Forward Air Controller, and uses its internal AI engine to determine aircraft flight patterns and attack profiles, based on the values entered into the system. SimCentric is demonstrating their pattern of life products, Crowd Ambience and Traffic Ambience, and demonstrate their new video streaming technology for VBS2 and VBS3.
***
Riptide Learning, a division of Riptide Software, demonstrates its first ever xAPI-enabled training for rifle marksmanship ranges: Riptide’s REAPER proof of principle was selected by the ADL for demonstration at PlugFest - a satellite event at I/ITSEC. PlugFest is a special one-day event at I/ITSEC 2014 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The Advanced Distributed Learning Directorate (ADL) hosts PlugFest to provide demonstrations and education about Experience API (xAPI). Riptide is demonstrating REAPER (Range Experience Acquisition Portal for Evaluation and Reporting). REAPER is an ADL-funded effort, which leverages xAPI and Riptide’s Elements courseware delivery to provide fully integrated military training range data to individual shooters, coaches/commanders, and researchers. “We’re very excited to be working with the ADL team,” said Nick Washburn, Director of Riptide’s Learning Division. “xAPI is the beating heart of our core product, Riptide Elements, so it is an honor to be part of the hands-on demonstrations and share our successes at one of the industry’s leading conferences with xAPI user groups from all over the world.”
***
Soldier readiness is the end result of the products and services provided by AEgis Technologies. Their products consist of fully configured simulation and training solutions including hardware, software and services. Located in booth #2411, AEgis features:
- Mobile applications and serious games for training.
- Embedded trainers for small unmanned aircraft systems (S-UAS).
- Terrain database development and high resolution 3D models.
"AEgis remains committed to providing quality products and innovative training solutions," said David King, AEgis executive vice president of Technology Solutions. "I/ITSEC provides us the opportunity to showcase our capabilities as well as keep our finger on the pulse of the War Fighters' needs and this industry."
***
Rockwell Collins debuted its RealFires transportable trainer along with its newest mobile training and electronic publications capabilities for the first time at I/ITSEC. In addition to its new mobile training offerings, the Rockwell Collins booth #2201 featurse the following offerings designed to meet the most challenging training and simulation tasks:
- EP-8000 visual system
- EP-80 visual system
- ProSim ultra contrast projector
- Air Combat Training
- Radar simulation
- Helmet-mounted displays
- CORE simulation architecture
- Virtual Avionics Procedures Trainer (VAPT)
Rockwell Collins also introduces its latest eBook, "Interoperability 2.0: The simulation and training tipping point." The eBook shares the importance of interoperability in driving the rapid acceptance of new simulation and training technologies by the aerospace and defense industry and military users. The eBook also explains how interoperability can benefit the use of visual systems, distributed mission training and Live, Virtual, and Constructive training. In addition, it covers key industry subjects such as determining the ideal balance between live and virtual training and the utility of games technology in training.
***
For more information, please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY 12/2014, available at I/ITSEC 2014 on booth #773.