Close-combat immersive training specialist 4GD has installed the British Army’s new Level 2 SmartFacility training solution.
Deployment of the advanced 4GD close quarter battle training facility at 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester, Essex started on 4 January.
The 16 Air Assault Brigade is the British Army’s airborne rapid reaction force focused on maintaining the Air Assault Task Force. They are trained to deploy by parachute, helicopter and air-landing.
The new facility is designed to allow troops to train in a non-ballistic close quarter battle environment.
According to the company, the Level 2 facility will feature SimWall (Level 1) and 4GAV (Level 2).
SimWall is the SmartFacility core capability. It is a reconfigurable, non-ballistic modular panel system that provides thousands of rooms and building variations.
Users can reconfigure variations within minutes to suit their mission scenarios and other training objectives.
4GAV is an advanced special effects video monitoring system that uses a mix of smoke, light (white / infrared), sound, smell and environmental simulation (SFX).
It is controlled by an intuitive user interface and delivers sensor activated and reactive, or instructor-initiated effects to increase realism.
SmartFacility’s training missions are viewed and controlled by an instructor through an ‘intuitive dual tablet display’.
The company noted that the facility will also be equipped with a video feedback system for after-action review.
4GD business development director James Crowley said: “The rise of military operations in urban terrain has forced a complete rethink of how we train personnel to plan for, execute and win close-combat missions on the modern battlefield.
“We have designed our SmartFacility to blend virtual and physical elements so that teams can prepare for their mission in an immersive facility that reflects the ever-changing and highly dynamic nature of the urban battlefield.”
