Tech Deep Dive: Advancing to a Next-Gen Firearms Simulation Training Solution

This 12 August Cubic Defense announced a strategic collaboration with ShootHouse and Digimation. The alliance will provide Cubic exclusivity for VIPER and DART MAX to customers in the Middle East and Singapore. Cubic will also provide tailor-made, in-country, operations and maintenance support to meet customer requirements.

What generated this author’s further interest in the announcement was Cubic’s outline of the growth and maturation of its EST4000 product baseline to a family of systems – to a next-generation Firearms Simulation Training Solution: starting at EST4000 Standard (S); advancing to EST4000 Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) and now EST4000 Advanced (A). Of particular note, EST4000 Advanced was said to be created on Digimation’s DART MAX software and integrated to include a wide range of add-ons as set out for EST4000 (S). “The system will include 4K resolution, computer generated imagery, extensive use of Artificial Intelligence, Arabic language models and an unlimited ability to self-create and save scenarios and training activities.”

While EST4000’s technology underpinnings continue to mature and expand, the program business model allows the products to be customer-centric. Alicia Combs, Vice President and General Manager at Cubic Defense, noted, “The ease of the product allows customers to both operate and maintain the Firearms Simulation Training Solutions. As always, Cubic stands ready to provide logistical, operational, and maintenance support should the customer require assistance.”

The EST4000 family provides another instance of the cross-pollination of learning technologies among high-risk training sectors. Combs pointed out in this case, Cubic’s partner Digimation has provided the software that will be used for EST4000 Advanced to multiple customers across the US. “The software has been very effective in supporting US Police judgmental training and firearms training.”

Combs also confirmed this sector’s customers’ expanding requirements list, stating it has been Cubic’s experience they require the ability to create, save, and share training activities without the need for time-consuming and expensive reach back to engineers, programmers, or designers at the point of manufacture. “Where possible, customers want 4K resolution, gaming technology and the use of AI to increase the realism of the training activity.”

The Cubic executive noted the AI component of EST4000 Advanced is provided through the software designed and produced by Digimation. Combs continued, “Through Shoothouse, Cubic has exclusivity in the Middle East and Singapore to incorporate this software into the Firearms Simulation Training Solutions providing a customized solution for client’s unique requirements.”