Trial by virtual reality

The British Army has begun testing the 'most advanced virtual battlefield simulator in the world.' The Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) has passed three of ten planned trials that are designed to test the usability of a technology that has the potential to revolutionise armoured warfare training.

Lockheed Martin Information System (LMIS), the prime contractor has based the evolution of the UK system on the US Army's Close Combat Tactical Trainer.

The UK CATT will be located in two sites, in Warminster in the UK and in Sennelager in Germany. In both up to 700 soldiers will be able to train in a virtual battlefield, using 179 combat vehicle simulators. Training can be given from Brigade level down to individual vehicles.

Mike Holstead, the Defence Procurement Agency's CATT project manager said, "The real beauty of the system is its ability to link battlegroup training with other associated units including artillery, aviation and engineering tasks auch as mining or bridging in a totally integrated synthetic environment.

"This will to better skills training across the board and crucially, it will allow better and more effective preparation for future live field training."

In any such virtual reality programme a prime requirement is to create as many scenarios as possible, each as close to a live firing experience as possible. To reflect this CATT offers player versus player options, as well as introducing synthetic problems that reflect the real vicissitudes of the battlefield. For example commanders must deal with the logistics of vehicle maintenance and resupply. Infantry can move from IFV simulators to dismounted simulators to reflect the changing situation during a battle.

The total cost of the programme is in the region of £250 million. Construction ogf the facilities in the UK and in Germany are nearing completion. Warminster is expected to be ready for use in the middle of 2002, with Sennlager following soon thereafter.

REF XQQEE XQQAS XQQLD