Simulator designer begins delivery for SA Army combat vehicles

Simulator-based training systems designer ThoroughTec Simulation has begun the delivery of its Tactical Crew Training simulators from its Cyberwar range, for the South African Army’s Badger infantry combat vehicles.

ThoroughTec Simulation military business manager David Cooke says the army will use the simulators to maintain its conventional and mechanised warfare skills, despite the prevai- ling emphasis on low intensity, infantry-focused peace support operations.

Ultimately, 28 Badger Tactical Training Systems will be delivered to the South African Army, but only after a period of operational evaluation and testing at the facilities of prime contractor land defence systems supplier Denel Land Systems has been conducted.

ThoroughTec’s high-fidelity Badger simulators integrate researched vehicle, weapon and sensor performance models with ultrarealistic instruments and controls, to replicate the Badger operational experience and completely immerse trainee vehicle crews in an ultrarealistic three-dimensional virtual environment.

Cooke points out that the simulators enhance both the efficiency and effectiveness of the South African Army’s Badger operator training programmes as they provide proficient operators at a cheaper price, compared with traditional training methods.

“With more than 25 years’ experience of developing advanced operator training simu- lators for the global mining and military sectors, ThoroughTec has become a world leader in virtual, interactive simulation for vehicle crew training,” says Cooke.

He adds that the Cyberwar range of simulators is built to the highest standards of military system enginee- ring at its ISO 9001 facility in Durban.

“From this base, the company has become a national centre of excellence for military vehicle simulation, supplying tactical training systems for the army’s entire fleet of combat vehicles, as well as systems for several foreign militaries.”

Cooke mentions that the team at ThoroughTec has been designing simulator-based training systems for more than 25 years. During this time, the company has grown into one of the world’s leading training simulation organisations, supplying the military, mining and construction sectors.