Meggitt to deliver EF88 assault rifle wireless virtual weapons for ADF

Meggitt Training Systems has been contracted to deliver additional BlueFire EF88 assault rifle wireless virtual weapons for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Under the $1.8m valued contract, the company will supply a further 73 of the latest EF88 weapon simulators.

ADF will use the rifles on the Weapon Training Simulation Systems (WTSS) at a number of bases across the country.

Meggitt Training Systems strategy, sales and marketing vice-president Andrea Czop said: “BlueFire wireless simulators provide the highest level of realism by maintaining form, fit and function of the original weapon.

“Like all our simulators, this version of the EF88 reinforces marksmanship training by providing sensor feedback on a variety of fundamental parameters.”

Production work on BlueFire EF88s is carried out at the company’s facility in Suwanee, Georgia.

The company expects to deliver the weapons simulators in the first half of next year.

It is also responsible for providing service and maintenance, which is performed in Australia.

Since 1999, Meggitt Training Systems Australia (MTSA) has been offering the support under the Operations & Maintenance Support Services (OMSS) contract.

MTSA managing director Kevin McNaughton said: “This order builds on the original EF88 contract awarded in 2018 to MTSA and further proves the value of BlueFire weapons for soldier readiness.

“As the Australian Army transitions from the F88 to the EF88 as its primary frontline assault rifle, its BlueFire equivalent paired with upgraded WTSS units being delivered by Meggitt this year will significantly improve ADF weapon training capabilities.”

The use of BlueFire EF88 simulators offers the ADF with complete movement range when compared with a tethered F88.

The simulators feature a 3D marksmanship training environment and provide after-action review and trainee diagnostics.