High-Tech-Simulation for MOUT
04 April 2007 17:25
The traditional massing of large forces for sustained combat increasingly is being replaced with short, sharp engagements; often conducted in locations far removed from original planning assumptions. These changes demand the availability of special forces correctly trained and equipped to be able to execute timely, high-precision, high-value missions that often are beyond the capabilities of more traditional conventional forces.
Based on its long experience with large Combat Training Centres (CTCs), Rheinmetall Defence has also developed such a mobile training system for exercises in an urban environment, with options for immediate and useful evaluation. The system is largely based on existing technology which has been adapted to this specific application.
As with a conventional CTC, each weapon system is equipped with a laser engagement simulator, and each combat vehicle and each soldier with a Player Unit (PU) – an intelligent data radio transmitter and receiver with an integrated, high-precision GPS receiver. For example, all positions and events are immediately transmitted over the communication system from the PU to the exercise control room. All data from the combat field, including those of the forces combat net radio communication, are collected, evaluated, presented and digitally stored here.
The respective current position and status of all exercise participants in the training area is indicated in the control room on digitised maps. Positions outside buildings are detected using a GPS receiver, positions in the immediate vicinity of buildings and within buildings are determined using optical code transmitters. In addition to fixed video camera installations within buildings, a mobile digital online video connection is also available.
The direct fire of heavy weaponry on building walls, e.g. from battle tanks or armoured personnel carriers, is detected by laser sensors mounted on the outside of the buildings. The indoor sensors mounted in the building's rooms transmit a hit code to any soldiers within the building and adjacent rooms. This hit code takes into account the ammunition used, uses an injury model typical of the given building type and triggers a realistic simulation of the effect on the player.
The indirect-effect simulation of the artillery fire and mortar takes place both inside and outside the buildings, and takes into account not only the nature of the building and the ammunition used, but also the respective location of the soldier. In a building subjected to artillery fire, an exercise participant in the cellar, which has the highest degree of protection, would not register as hit, whereas a soldier in the upper floor would receive an appropriate hit message.
Menu-guided user interfaces at the workstations constantly show the position of each participant, even inside the buildings. This is displayed on digitised maps in the form of a specific tactical character. Together with recordings of the tactical voice radio traffic and video recordings, the analysis personnel in the control centre can carry out an objective exercise assessment at any time.
Using the stored data, the exercise unit is given feedback on its performance during the exercise in a 'debriefing session,' and is able to directly follow the effects of commands and decisions.
The exercise debriefing session is held in the form of a multimedia presentation, which is then given to the participating subsection in the form of a CD-ROM containing the main contents of the exercise, thus allowing the unit to evaluate its own performance.
For more information on this company:
RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - Land Based Vehicle and Battlefield Simulation
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