Swiss Army chooses Simulator-Based Training
04 December 2002
Swiss Army chooses innovative solution for simulator-based training
Further proof of the modern approach adopted by the Swiss Army: a combined firing and combat training system ELSA for the new mechanized infantry fighting vehicle CV 9030, the fire support vehicle and the upgraded Leopard 2 main battle tank will contain entirely new features.
The new system will allow one single instructor to monitor up to 16 exercises simultaneously. Firing and combat training of soldiers will be distinctly improved while reducing the personnel requirement. STN Atlas Elektronik GmbH will perform the major order worth 35 million Swiss francs in a consortium with the Swiss company SINTRO ELECTRONICS AG (now merged into RUAG ELECTRONICS). The related contract encompassing the delivery of the core system was already signed in May 2002. In its final stage, ELSA will provide up to 24 combat compartment replicas.
To ensure efficient training conditions, ELSA will be equipped with the complete courseware enabling automated training operations without an instructor as far as the performance and selection of training exercises is concerned. The trainees can thus complete the complex training curriculum at the system without the involvement of an instructor and are given an automatic system feedback in relation to the results achieved in the individual exercises.
Another novelty offered by ELSA is that a crew member who may be needed for the training but is not actually available can be replaced by the training system. For instance, if only the gunner of an armored vehicle is to be trained, the computer will replace the commander in terms of logical actions. The computer triggers reactions of the commander by automatically assessing the events. If, for example, a hostile vehicle is approaching from the left-hand side, the "artificial" commander will react to this and give the appropriate commands. This concept improves the flexibility of training significantly and also reduces the amount of exercise personnel required.
The complete structural modularity of the ELSA simulation system is another new feature. A core – that is independent of the weapon system – allows the incorporation of a whole variety of different weapon and control systems.
Moreover, each of the combat compartments can be used quite independently for the training. On the other hand, it is also possible to network the units fully. In this case, all trainees can operate against one another in a virtual environment or alternatively act jointly against computer-generated hostile forces. A further option is to network the combat compartments with the existing ELTAM (Electronic Tactical Simulator for Mechanized Troops) simulator that is already in service. ELTAM is used to train combined arms combat on battalion level. This training follows directly onto the training sequences with ELSA.
Coupled with other capabilities like a digital visual system of the latest generation, the ELSA electronic firing simulator for the Swiss Army is a training system that has set entirely new standards for training, also on an international scale.
