Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT Range)
I was on one of these over the last week and was wondering if anyone had anymore information on them! I really enjoyed using it, even if I did do the two worst scenario's.(The one with all the Trees, and Dusk Ambush)
I can see how it would help with drills though, as the computer can tell if you have messed your drills (Stoppages, Unload, Load, Make Safe etc.) up. Also, the range controller can make you have stoppages or jam's and can control your use of ammunition.
Incase you haven't hear of these ranges before they are used by the British Army (They purchased 20 in September 2005) and cost about half a million pounds.
Simply put, its a dark room with a computer at the back running a simulator thats outputting to a projector. You then have 10 weapons (In my case the SA80A2 - Although theres rumours the M.O.D are getting some GPMG's, FN Minimi's, and other weapons modified) that are hooked upto the computer (And to Gas canisters so the weapon can re-**** itself and have recoil).
The weapons are real but have been modified to fire a laser at the screen. (Where the image is projected)
I used the range twice and these where my scores:
Rounds: 26, 120
Target Hits:7, 6
Kills:1, 1
The first time I used the range It was in a Dusk Ambush scenario, the second time it was in a scenario with lots of tree's and long grass.
As you can see, I'm hardly a marksman! :P
We used them to practice APWT shoots out to 400m. The only real problem I experienced with them was when the system started to get low on CO2, the weapons short stroke and malfunction, leading you to have to manually **** them. This in turn causes your accuracy to suffer.
The stoppages part is very good training, although an overzealous range controller can get annoying when he gives you multiple stoppages in a row.
Yeah, there where doubts the first time I was able to use it, the pressure was to low.Originally Posted by Hydroquip
Then the second time the canisters wheren't connected properly or something because most of us ended up manually cocking them - but that was rectified when the range controller checked the connections to the CO2 canisters.
Had the trainer demo'd at the SASC at Warminster. Useful tool for diagnosing what the shooter is doing wrong. Limitations seemed to be that the video scenarios were not interactive and the computer generated scenarios whilst interactive had very basic graphics when compared to systems like VBS.
You can also network link to other trainers on other sites so that a mortar, for example, could be fired from one unit and the round impact on the screen of a trainer at another unit.
Cant beat live rounds down the range but as always its the beancounters that are running the military now and simulation is in because its cheaper.
The QMSI at Warminsterconfirmed that GPMG was going on the trainer soon.
I was on 1 of these ranges down in St. Martins Plain & did quiet a few senarios on it using the L85a2, One of them being 90% unvisabliity with iron sights wich i got top marks for.
Didnt have the problem of running out of gas, though i was only in the range for 2 hours.
So, is this the 'next generation SAT' or something? How does it differ from a SAT range?
I agree that the graphics where quite disappointing, thats what I blame my bad shooting on.
This network idea sounds brilliant, and I'd love to use the GPMG on one of these ranges.
So, is this the 'next generation SAT' or something? How does it differ from a SAT range?
Sounds just like a SAT to me! And we have had those for quite a while! have heard a rumour of an upgrade to make it 360 degrees around you so that a section could "simulate" defensive shoots.
Well I hope you like my first post here on your forums.
I have linked 2 images from the US Forces training range in Afghanistan. As you can see in the piccies, its also geared up for the big .50 and SAW use.
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/1944/50rn8.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6076/multipleim4.jpg
Wow, Nice pictures! I love the idea of it being able to work with such a wide variety of weapons. I can see how big a impact this could have on training, its such a ingenius idea.
Here's a video of the DCCT range in Pirbright I found -
Hehe, I've played that scenario. We got slated for the amount of "friendly fire" directed at the American soldiers in the video
You get to play with the DCCT as part of the Platoon Tactics Course down in Brecon these days. It's relatively similar to the SAT. Basically it's a bit more interactive. It's not just a "virtual range" and can be used for section level tactics training.
On the PTC (as far as I can recall .... I was knackered at the time) it was used as a virtual TEWT (or P.E.N.I.S .... ). You can move through the virtual landscape go around hills, look through binoculars etc and as previously mentioned it sounds as though you will be able to network a few of them together, call in various types of fire support etc.
Unfortunately we didn't get to spend much time on it but I could see it's merits.
Just found this:-
LinkThe Defence Procurement Agency of the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence has awarded Firearms Training Systems Inc. (www.fatsinc.com) a $6 million contract for Dismounted Close Combat Training (DCCT) simulators.
Firearms Training Systems of Suwanee delivered first-generation virtual training products to the Ministry of Defence between 1992 and 1994. Since then, the company has provided continuous service support and a series of upgrades and improvements. In 2001, the Ministry of Defence replaced the first generation systems with DCCT simulators.
Oh, right. Cheers BM. I always thought SAT's were a bit of a waste of time. Once you'd been through all the scenarios then you're simply playing the range.
So with the DCCT, can you alter the scenarios and change enemy positions/numbers/weapons etc?
Aye, basically you have a the DS sat behind you with his "god computer" (think Hood style) and can move you around the screen, put the binoculars up to highlight which ever area you indicate so you can call in fire support, adjust fire etc. I assume (we only spent about an hour on it so can’t give you definite answers) that he can also vary what the enemy has and their location, in our case it was your standard cold war enemy section dug in, BMP support, AGS17 etc. Graphics weren't great but sufficient.
There were noises about there being a trailer based mobile one but I’ve not heard anything more about it. Maybe Royal knows more about it. There was a Pam kicking about to.
Yeah the stuff you can do is amazing, add in anything you want. At Warcop last year the guy operating it started to put in air support and all kinds of crazy stuff. Beer Monster is correct in believing that the enemy options are pretty unlimited too; any weapons, any locations. Stuff like that.
Basically anything you want to happen, and it can happen. The operating man was telling us that sometimes units can be on for hours at a time in a simulated OP or on a recce/ambush, must make your eyes go a little funny though.
re; other weapons - the landmarc guy said basically any weapon can be modified even stuff like MILAN (and JAVELIN I suppose) to be used
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