MS&T’s Industry Simulation & Training Awards is an annual program to recognize excellence in the international defense community. The program showcases the people, products, processes, and organizations that provide exceptional value to our military clients.
For each of the six award categories, a panel of MS&T editors reviewed all nominations submitted by company representatives. The panel selected the top three finalists for each category, and MS&T invited all print, digital and eNewsletter subscribers to vote and select the 2019 award winners.
The international military simulation and training community has determined the year’s best of the best. The winners of the 2019 MS&T Industry Awards can be seen below.
This award recognizes innovative products that provide enhanced value to the military client’s education, training or human performance domains. The category includes products such as instructional media, training devices or components, content development tools, analysis and evaluation tools and methods, and performance support.
Jointly developed by CAE and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), the PMT enables the Italian Air Force to train Predator A and Predator B/MQ-9 RPA pilots and sensor operators to conduct flight operations without further training on the actual aircraft. It is the highest-fidelity RPA simulator yet designed and has been formally qualified to Level D-equivalent standards by the Italian Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Air Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA). Though some live training is performed currently, this ability to conduct all or most training in the PMT enables the Italian Air Force to maximize availability of their Predator fleet for operational use and delivers optimal efficiency for training throughput.
For more: https://www.cae.com/media/media-center/documents/DM104-PredatorMissionTrainer_ENG_September2019.pdf
Cubic developed the Engage KOV-135 to protect the transmission of classified data for both legacy air combat maneuvering instrumentation (ACMI) and Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) Air Combat Training Systems. Enage KOV-135 is an NSA-certified End Cryptographic Unit (ECU) developed to solve the information-assurance deficiency for embedment in an Air Combat Training System (ACTS) pod while adhering to training CONOPS. Training in a secure environment allows all participants to fully exercise their combat systems without divulging sensitive information to potential adversaries. For more: https://www.cubic.com/news-events/news/cubics-engage-kov-135-end-cryptographic-unit-receives-nsa-certification
Developed to meet contractual compliance training requirements, MicroEngage breaks the “compliance training as a binge event” paradigm. The approach allows employees to receive customized training for only those concepts for which they were not able to demonstrate mastery, saving time, money, and learner sanity. Key elements are short (1-3 minute) learning episodes, performance-based outcomes, targeted communication strategies, and performance-focused learning assessment. More at: https://www.saic.com/features/Improve-Training-Outcomes-with-MicroEngage
• Aechelon Technology: ATBOS
• Applied Research Associates, Virtual Heroes Division: Assimilation of Sources for a Cohesive Environment Description project (ASCEND)
• Barco: FL/FS40 4K – Barco Pulse projection systems
• Concurrent Real-Time: RedHawk Linux 7.5
• Modest Tree: Modest3D Xplorer
• Presagis: Velocity
• SimCentric Technologies: SAF-Foresight
• Virtual Marine: Ice Management Simulator
This award recognizes the innovative use of VR/AR/MR technologies to develop effective and efficient training and performance support interventions. Application of VR/AR/MR spans a broad continuum ranging from individual and team training to individual and team performance support.
This mixed-reality (MR) solution is used for training the Medical Crew Member (MCM) onboard a Level D Helicopter Full Flight Simulator. The simulator is based at NCCH in Stavanger, Norway and is used for pilot and crew training of Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) missions. The MCM wears a MetaVision Meta 2 MR goggle which allows him to “see-through” the goggle while communicating with the flight crew and operating onboard equipment, and be presented the virtual outdoor scene when looking outside the opened cabin door or the helicopter windows. The AR device enables him to perform all MCM mission duties from clearing the rear part of the helicopter when landing in confined areas as well as observing any hand signals given by the Rescue Man attached to the rope underneath the helicopter. Training is enhanced by a night-vision mode. The new MR capability enables training of both pilots and medical crew members within the same training session.
For more: https://reiser-st.com/h145-helicopter.html
Modest3D Xplorer is Modest Tree’s software for rapid creation of 3D presentations able to be published directly to the desktop, virtual reality, or mobile. Xplorer allows any user to rapidly create immersive experiences that multiple users can access simultaneously across multiple platforms. For example, one person could be in virtual reality, one on mobile, and another on PC – all in different physical locations, and the experience will be seamless for all. Collaborative digital experiences are created with ease.
For more: https://modesttree.com/xplorer
• Design Interactive: AUGMENTOR
• Immerse: Multi-Voice VR solution
• Ryan Aerospace: HELIMOD Mark III
• Virtual Simulation Systems: Enhanced Landing Safety Officer PartTask Trainer (ELSOPTT)
This award recognizes those exemplary programs that provide outstanding value to clients. The category includes but is not limited to programs such as training as a service, long-term maintenance, management of facilities, exercise support, or any other long-term service and support arrangement.
The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) program for the United States Air Force (USAF) delivers initial qualification, re-qualification, continuation and upgrade training for KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, navigators and boom operators. The prime contractor since 2011, CAE USA provides program management, academic and simulator instruction, maintenance and logistics services, training device upgrades, and a Training Systems Support Center. CAE provides contractor logistics support and manages the Training System Support Center (TSSC) to operate 19 KC-135 operational flight trainers (full-flight simulators), nine KC-135 boom operator simulators, and dozens of lower-level training devices at three overseas and 10 US military base locations, several of which have changed during the course of the program. As a result of CAE’s modifications to the KC-135 OFTs, pilots are now able to log 99 percent of their flying training requirements, regain currencies, take check rides and credit operational flying duty time in the KC-135 simulators.
For more: https://www.cae.com/media/documents/DM046_KC-135_ATS_ENG_Oct2018.pdf
FSXXI, an initiative of the US Army’s Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE), Fort Rucker, Alabama provides flight simulators and training capabilities, supporting initial-entry level and graduate-level rotary-wing flight training to US Army, US Air Force, and Foreign Military aviation students. In addition to initial-entry and graduate-level training, the FSXXI program also supports collective training at the Aviation Warfighting Simulation Center – a government-owned facility on-post at Fort Rucker. GDIT serves as the prime contractor for FSXXI with five sub-contractors: FlightSafety International, L3T Link Training and Simulation, Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services, Southern Coaches, and TALON Systems. For more: https://www.governmentcontracts.us/government-contracts/opportunity-details/NBD00159237628459751.htm?cts=9d9bc
Inzpire‘s team of subject matter experts is embedded within the MoD’s Air Battlespace Training Centre (ABTC) at RAF Waddington. Their job is to design and deliver high-end warfighter training to the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF. They work alongside current military personnel from all three services under a concept known as the ‘Whole Force’; this concept treats a military unit made up of both military and civilian personnel as one coherent team. All the Inzpire workforce at the ABTC are ex-military who retired from the service after full careers and as leaders in their fields; the experience they bring to the team ranges from Typhoon and Tornado pilots to Air Battlespace Managers to intelligence and surveillance specialists and artillery gunners. For more: https://www.inzpire.com
• Calytrix Technologies: Titan terrain tools system as part of Early Adopters Programme (EAP) with Austrian Army and CNR Communication Radio software.
This award recognizes projects that have designed, developed, integrated and delivered complex training systems with a delivery date within the past three years. An outstanding training system integration project is one that has not only met or exceeded the project success criteria but also provides exceptional value to the client as the positive impacts on the client organization or environment.
The LMV SimCen comprises two immersive 360-degree screened halls. Each is built around a full mock-up of the LMV Integrated Command Centre (ICC), allowing simultaneous training in navigation, engineering and warfare domains. It also incorporates virtual reality to offer berthing training for the ships’ crew. The scope of the project included the design, development, construction, testing and delivery of two LMV Simulators with: a high-fidelity simulated ICC; instructor operating station; a 360-degree projection visual system featuring 15 high-definition projectors and a continuous screen (4.1m height by 25m diameter); VR system; computer-generated forces; a sound system that produces sounds resulting from weather, as well as ambient, ownship and weapon sounds: and an After Action Review system. The project required the integration of the depth and breadth of bridge, combat and engineering systems into a single simulation with more than 30 systems integrated or their effects simulated in every possible scenario. Since its opening, LMV SimCen has enabled ship teams to reduce training time by up to 60%.
In 2011, the Royal Australian Navy became the first international customer for the US Navy’s MH60R Seahawk through the US foreign military sale process. CAE was subcontracted by the US Navy through an FMS contract to provide the RAN with a comprehensive suite of training systems to support both aircrew and maintenance training, as well as to provide onsite training support services. The RAN wanted its MH60R training systems to be capable of delivering the aircrew and maintenance training syllabus 70% synthetic, 30% live. For a naval helicopter as complex as the MH60R “Romeo”, which includes a wide range of sensor suites and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, this was a challenge. Following delivery of aircrew and maintenance MH60R training devices to HMAS Albatross, CAE USA was contracted to provide onsite training support services to the RAN.
For more: https://www.cae.com/defence-security/who-we-train/helicopter
In 2018 DiSTI delivered the Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) Operator and Maintainer Trainer (OMT) to the US Army. C-RAM has several systems that detect, warn, respond, intercept, control, shape and protect deployed forces. The virtual training system is designed to train air defense artillery teams on the procedures for operating and maintaining this complex weapons system in a safe and controlled environment while delivering an immersive and engaging student experience. The final delivery consisted of three classrooms with up to 21 Student Stations with an Instructor Operator System within the US and over 30 ruggedized field-delivered laptops – providing options for a traditional classroom training environment as well as meeting the demand for mobile remedial or refresher training in the field – a first of its kind training for the US Army.
For more: https://disti.com
• AERALIS Ltd
• Bagira Systems
• Elbit Systems
• Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS)
• Meggitt Training Systems
• project: syntropy GmbH
• Thales
This award recognizes exemplary small businesses in the military S&T domain. Our definition of a small business is “a non-subsidiary, independent firm that employs fewer than 50 employees.” An exemplary small business leverages human capital, innovation and agility to grow and meet client needs, while cultivating a growing technical and social influence in the community.
Founded in 2005, Simthetiq specializes in the development of immersive 3D simulation solutions for the military and civil aviation industries. With just under 50 full-time employees, Simthetiq’s portfolio includes two major product lines – the X1 Library, the MS&T industry’s largest, independent, cross-platform 3D content library of simulation entity models and synthetic terrain environments (3000+ entities and 300+ terrains and counting) and the X2 Visual System (a Level D-certified image generator in operation around the world). Underpinned by significant capstone customers and contracts, Simthetiq’s sustained growth, accompanied by a steady order book for the next five years, has allowed them to aggressively pursue business in new markets such as Australia, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
For more: https://www.simthetiq.com
Cervus Defence and Security was founded in January 2014. Cervus harvests, stores, analyses and visualises simulation data to inform force development and training. Data science techniques, cloud-based analytics and novel capture methods enable military customers to make use of their untapped but insightful collective training data. Since inception, Cervus is developing bespoke analytics to existing COTS CGF products for the USMC. With the British Army, Cervus is a component of the Collective Training Transformation Programme whilst simultaneously providing them with a unique LVC-based experimentation service, informing most of the major Land Force Development programmes. For the Dutch Army, Cervus is exploiting live training data to inform the development of their new brigade structures. For more: https://www.cervusdefence.com
Close Air Solutions (CAS) was set up to meet the need of more cost-effective and accessible simulation for the Joint Fires user. In 2016 CAS invested in new alternatives to the legacy simulator training solutions, with the aim of providing more effective and realistic training solutions. Mixed Reality training offers the potential to replicate and enhance the complexity and dynamism of a broad spectrum of operational scenarios. The initial target is to reduce the requirement for live fast-jet assets to support operational training using CAS’ Hyper Real Immersion (HRI) capability. CAS is one of only four companies to have secured matched funding from the MoD in a pioneering partnership approach to capability development. For more: http://www.closeairsolutions.com
• Ryan Aerospace: Designer and builder of modular and reconfigurable helicopter simulators for military and civilian applications.
The defense S&T community plays an essential role in supporting military commanders’ development and maintenance of capability and readiness. Within this community there are individuals who demonstrate outstanding and significant technical and social leadership. This Award recognizes their contribution to the defense S&T community.
The CEO and Founder of AVT Simulation, Robert Abascal, has led AVT to success and been an active member of the S&T community for more then 38 years. Robert began his engineering career with Lockheed Martin before taking the leap to open his own business in 1998. As a technical expert, Robert has participated in Congregational MS&T working groups, supported the National Center for Simulation in Technology Tech Talk Panels, been called to serve multiple times as a simulation SME at the National Summit for the Army Aviation Association of America, and is recognized as an industry leader in innovation and successful business practices by the Orlando Business Journal, INC 5000, Grow Florida, the National Training Simulation Association, and more. Robert is an innovator, a corporate and professional mentor to countless small businesses and individual professionals, and has helped push simulators to new use potential through miniaturization and the embracing of COTS item use. Internationally, Robert supported the critical program for the UK ACTT as well as the RST to the UAE.
Waymon Armstrong is founder and CEO/President of Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS), a global services and solutions company headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with operations in Huntsville, Alabama; Washington DC; and San Antonio, Texas. A visionary in the simulation and training industry and the Central Florida community since 1997, Armstrong is recognized for his commitment to the MS&T industry and for his ingenuity, entrepreneurial skills, and community leadership. As technology evolved, ECS brought massively multi-player games, mobile technologies, and virtual and augmented reality for military and first responder training to the defense market.
Dr. Bagrodia is the Founder and CEO of SCALABLE Network Technologies, and an Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at UCLA. At UCLA, he led a research group in mobile computing and parallel and distributed programming that produced simulation systems such as Maisie, Parsec, and GloMoSim. Dr. Bagrodia founded SCALABLE Network Technologies in 1999 in the wake of significant innovations from his research group at UCLA in the theory and practice of performance prediction for large-scale heterogeneous computer and communication systems. Dr. Bagrodia has continued to lead the creation of innovative simulation-based test and analysis and cyber assessment capabilities for the US DoD, including significant Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) tools such as the Joint Network Emulator (JNE) to model battlefield communication networks and StealthNet, a versatile model of cyber offensive and defensive operations.
• Adam Breed, Engineering Project Manager of Prepar3D, Lockheed Martin
• Marlo Brooke, CEO and Founder, AVATAR Partners
• Ohannes Younanian, Chief Engineer, General Dynamics Information Technology
To view MS&T’s 2019 Awards Issue, click here.
