Officials in the U.S. Army recognized a need to better train soldiers in the engagement of enemies with the help of a virtual, interactive training solution. They found such a system at Cubic Simulation Systems Inc., a defense unit of Cubic Corp., based in Orlando, Fla.
Officials at the U.S. Army Program Executive Office, Simulation Training and Instrumentation Command (PEO STRI), awarded a contract worth more than $16 million to Cubic for Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 (EST 2000) virtual training systems.
The EST 2000 enables soldiers to engage their foes on large, colorful projection screens using simulated weapons, ranging from pistols to grenade launchers, says a representative. The system, which has been validated by the U.S. Army Infantry School, teaches marksmanship skills, squad-level collective defense, and judgmental shoot/don’t shoot tactics. It also trains soldiers in the use of various small arms, as well as the 50-caliber M-2 machine gun and the 40mm Mark-19 grenade launcher. Using the EST 2000, soldiers engage enemy targets as they traverse virtual urban environments that replicate current combat conditions.
Cubic’s Simulation Systems Division will produce and manufacture the small arms training systems, including the simulated weapons. For more information, visit Cubic Corp. online at www.cubic.com.
