Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
A practice raid at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii. (Photo: USMC/Cpl Matthew Teutsch)
The USMC Program Manager for Training Systems has awarded Saab a task order contract for Force on Force Training Systems - Next (FoFTS-Next).
The framework agreement is worth $53.80 million initially but this would increase to $127.87 million if all 68 options and future task orders are exercised, the DoD announced on 17 June.
Work is expected to be completed by June 2024, the DoD added.
FoFTS-Next includes USMC Training Instrumentation Systems (MCTIS) equipment, logistics, and training exercise support.
MCTIS replaces current Instrumentation and Tactical Engagement Simulation System (I-TESS) equipment used by the USMC.
Increment 1 of FoFTS-Next comprises instrumentation systems for individuals, vehicles, buildings and weapons. This initial increment ‘also encompasses the command and control and network systems required to transport, process and display data from the instrumentation’, the DoD noted.
Saab stated that it would provide a full turnkey live training capability to include equipment deliveries for individual weapons and vehicles, as well as logistics and maintenance support plus training exercise support at all major USMC installations worldwide.
In particular, said Saab US president and CEO Erik Smith, the MCTIS training system would provide interoperability training to prepare the USMC ‘for combat effectiveness across multi-domain operations’.
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
The company will operate in two new locations in the coming years to better support US services.
This type of tool provides more realistic training easing the incorporation of new scenarios that accurately represent the threats of the battlefield.
The Engineering Corps has been conducting individual instruction using FLAIM Systems’ Sweeper and should start collective deployments in 2025.
The next-generation platform is motion-compatible and can be used in OTW and NVG applications.
The system can be used to prepare soldiers for both drone offensive operations and CUAS missions.