4GD to Triple Training Capacity With Two New Urban Warfare Training Facilities

Military training technology specialists 4GD has significantly expanded its operations to two new urban warfare training facilities. The new Garrison Urban Skills Facilities (GUSFs) are based at Catterick Training Area in North Yorkshire and Rollestone near Salisbury. With an existing 4GD SmartFacility in operation with 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester, 4GD’s military training sites now represent a broad geographical footprint and can be utilised by British Army units across the UK.

In close collaboration with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Landmarc Support Services (Landmarc) and the Land Warfare Centre, 4GD provide the technological backbone to the facilities.

4GD’s input into these facilities represents the next generation in urban warfare training. 4GD has installed its trademark SimWall and 4GAV systems across all Urban Fighting Skills Facilities. SimWall comprises a series of reconfigurable and adaptable panels designed to provide a greater variety of training scenarios. 4GAV has then enhanced the facility through the use of light, smoke and sound effects as well as detailed ‘after-action’ reviews. 

4GD’s use of advanced technology serves to enhance the learning experience for the soldier. Facilities are ready for upgrading to integrate 4GD's flagship robotic SimStriker, as already in use in the Urban Training Facility at Colchester.

Both GUSF facilities have recently become operational. These urban training environments, being used by the British Army, have been designed with unprecedented levels of realism, complexity and density that replicate the range of urban environments likely to be encountered by military personnel deploying on operations. 

The three sites (Catterick, Rollestone and Colchester) alongside 4GD’s significant upgrading of Copehill Down Village facilities can all connect together to form a larger training area. This provides unrivalled training opportunities across four sites.

Through these facilities, 4GD and its partners have significantly enhanced the British Army's capacity to conduct realistic and relevant urban warfare training. 

These facilities underscore a shared commitment to equipping military personnel with the skills and experience they need to operate effectively.

Rob Taylor, 4GD Founder and Director, said:

“4GD’s expanded footprint enables British Army units across the UK to access high-fidelity, urban warfare training environments designed to reflect the diverse, high-stakes scenarios soldiers are likely to encounter in real-world deployments. Increasing the training capacity of facilities with 4GD technology allows us to collect much more real-world data on how soldiers train in urban facilities. This enables us to understand the needs of the warfighter and stay ahead of the curve when developing future products.”

Lt Col Gord Robinson (RANGERS), SO1 Optimisation, Land Warfare Centre commented: “These state-of-the-art facilities have been extremely well received by the soldiers who appreciate how easily the internal space can be reconfigured to provide a non-repetitive and altering urban training scenario. It really is a long overdue enhancement to the Defence Training Estate which fully enables the achievement of platoon level urban training objectives in a controlled realistic urban environment.”