Canadian video...Training

[memphiz]

Canadians
Simulation to play a key role at new training centre
http://dsms.forces.gc.ca:8080/asxgen/army/dapa/English/20040615_Ep01_St03_ENG.wmv

[memphiz]

OTTAWA, Ontario -- The Army is poised to begin an approval process that will result in one of the finest training grounds in the NATO alliance.

The sprawling 670-square kilometre site at Wainwright, Alberta will be home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC), where the Army will conduct force-on-force exercises. Sophisticated computers will monitor every soldier and vehicle, recording them for after-action analysis and lessons learned.

During the last two weeks of April, the Army will approve the final test design of the individual soldier system - vest, helmet and personal weapons - to be used at CMTC. The next major milestone will occur in September, when the Army will conduct technical trials at the site, conduct Observer/Controller team training and the Observer/Controllers will develop procedures for evaluation of troops and after-action reviews.

"We are definitely on track," Colonel Mike Kampman, Director of Army Strategic Planning said in a recent interview. "Once we take the final design of the individual kit we'll be able to go into production on that - we've tried to ensure that soldiers won't even be aware they're wearing it."

The system that will monitor and record all of the action is known as the Weapon Effects Simulation (WES) system. Soldiers will wear three small antennae, transmitter and a small receiver, along with four sensors in the front of the vest, four in the back, four in the helmet and one on each shoulder. The sensors will establish when they've been hit and how badly - whether they are "dead," "wounded" and whether they can still fire their weapon. A strobe light will flash to let the Observer/Controller know that a soldier is down and a small speaker in the receiver will tell the soldier what to do. Medics will be tested on their ability to get to and treat the wounded.

Vehicles have been divided into imaginary zones so the system can tell what angle a round entered, how much damage was done and whether the crew was hit. The system can differentiate between types of ordnance such as missiles, artillery or tank rounds and 25 mm cannon fire.

Major Greg Burton, the WES Project Director, explained that a wire antenna in the right shoulder of the vest will link soldiers to their vehicles by radio. Soldiers' sensors will pick up the five-metre radio signal emitted by the "grenades" that will be used. And forget about cheating - "This system will kill anyone who cheats," Maj Burton said.

He noted that many Canadian soldiers have exercised using the American MILES laser system but stressed that the WES system is superior and much safer. "The MILES system uses a Class 3 laser - WES uses a Class 1 laser and is totally safe for the eyes."

The CMTC control centre will house computers, transmission and receiving systems, space for the higher control staff, work-desk monitors for those monitoring the exercise and a large theatre for after-action review discussion. CMTC will provide accomodation for a Brigade Headquarters and a Battle Group and its support. Separate quarters well away from the visiting unit will house the Opposing Force (OPFOR).

Although the Army will hone manoeuvre skills at CMTC, a site for Urban Operations Training is prominent in the plans.

"That has to be a priority," Maj Burton said. "The missions we go on, and have gone on for quite a number of years, involve urban ops - and we still don't have a place to train effectively for that."

The first full Battle Group exercise at CMTC is slated for the fall of 2005 or early 2006.
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/Images/6_1/2004_03_30_CMT_M.jpg

Soldiers equipped with WES equipment in their vests, helmets and weapons dimounting from a LAV III.

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/Images/6_1/Enlarge/2004_03_30_CMT_1.jpg

Soldiers from 1PPCLI equippped with WES gear mount up on a Griffon from 408 Squadron

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/Images/6_1/Enlarge/2004_03_30_CMT_2.jpg

A soldier from 1PPCLI with WES gear embedded in his kit during Joint Army Trial in Edmonton in October 2003. Note the small box on his weapon and the antennae on his left shoulder.

[Lone Predator]

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/Images/6_1/Enlarge/2004_03_30_CMT_2.jpg


on his shoulder, is it just me, or is the material on that device strapped to his back, using a diffrent camo pattern? It's not digital, it looks more like the pattern the Danish use.

maybe the simulation system tried making its own pattern to put on the device so that the troops could use it?

[Bombtrack]

Cool video, good post

The new WES gear looks like some good kit.

[Germaine]

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/Images/6_1/Enlarge/2004_03_30_CMT_2.jpg


on his shoulder, is it just me, or is the material on that device strapped to his back, using a diffrent camo pattern? It's not digital, it looks more like the pattern the Danish use.

maybe the simulation system tried making its own pattern to put on the device so that the troops could use it?It is the Danish Pattern, company we bought it from couldnt put Cadpat on the systems (too much money?? or just not proper epuip)