Broadmeadow company Applied Virtual Simulation has been awarded a $17.9M contract to deliver simulation software and associated technologies to the Australian Army.
The Land Simulation Core 2.0 Tranche 1 project, commissioned by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), will provide the army with a suite of Common Simulation Software (CSS) for use by future simulators.
The software features high-quality data, models and behaviours developed explicitly for the Australian Army.
Applied Virtual Simulation (AVS) Director, Martin Carr, said the platform would allow the army to train within an integrated virtual environment.
“Land Simulation Core 2.0 will be the most comprehensive modernisation of simulation technology in the history of the Australian Army…it will be a key enabler of the Future Ready Training System,” he said.
“The army is making substantial investments into procuring new land combat platforms. The training systems for these platforms must be able to interoperate to achieve combined arms training effects.
“Land Simulation Core 2.0 will enable this by providing a suite of CSS and associated applications which will provide a baseline for current and future simulators and simulation-based training systems.”
He said that AVS formulated their approach to delivering the CSS by selecting the “best” applications available worldwide, including US-based MAK Technologies and UK based SimCentric.
In addition to delivering the software applications, AVS will create hundreds of 3D models and map thousands of square kilometres of real-world terrain into the simulation.
Carr said this would allow soldiers to train together using a simulator in a barracks environment or deployed to a field training area.
Currently, AVS is a leading provider of simulation-based training technology for the Australian Army.
As a “bespoke industry”, Carr said virtual simulation didn’t get the credit it deserved in delivering jobs and growth to the region.
“This is a catalyst project for AVS, with significant economic benefit to the region through directly employing an additional 15 staff, as well as opportunities for SMEs to join our supply chain,” he said.
“Our success also has flow-on benefits for the local industry by reinforcing the region’s reputation for simulation capability.”
The Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, congratulated AVS for securing the contract, reinforcing the Australian Government’s commitment to investing in sovereign-capability technology.
“This contract represents a part of broader Defence investment in simulation for training and other purposes through multiple programs and projects,” Hastie said.
“Soldiers and commanders will now have access to CSS through various platforms to train in realistic and relevant settings, contributing to the army’s future-ready posture.”
The new software will be rolled out across the army’s Land Simulation Network over two years and include military vehicle and weapon platforms.
Maia O’Connor