QinetiQ-led team to bid for JFST project

QinetiQ, Inzpire and Close Air Solutions have signed a collaboration agreement to bid for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD's) Training and Simulation Systems Programme Joint Fires Synthetic Training (JFST) project.

The bid will be led by QinetiQ, which will serve as the systems integrator for the training system, while Inzpire will provide the training management team. Close Air Solutions will provide accredited joint fires simulators and associated support to deliver rich, immersive training outcomes.

The team will offer a classroom and simulator based system that will combine a number of battlefield scenarios created by civilian and military instructors to immerse soldiers as they train for future conflict. Multiple sites will be networked across the UK and with international partners.

The system will train soldiers - individually as well as as part of teams - in how to control and coordinate naval, air and land weapon systems to win the land commander’s immediate battle. The training will enhance their skills in identifying targets, protecting friendly forces and civilians and communicating information.

The project is expected to reach its full operating capability by 2020.

Paul Hearn, business development director, QinetiQ, said: ‘We have over nine years’ of experience in delivering collective synthetic training, including our hugely successful work with Inzpire on the Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training capability at Royal Air Force Waddington. The virtual battlespaces we create have already helped hundreds of military personnel deploy on operations, equipped not just with knowledge, but with experience.

‘As training requirements evolve, we are pleased to be working with Close Air Solutions to leverage their additional experience and innovation in joint fires. Our commitment to this partnership is part of QinetiQ’s strategy to collaborate with other innovators, assembling the best possible teams to understand and solve customers’ specific challenges.’