Saab Grintek reveals BattleTek 5

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Saab Grintek reveals BattleTek 5



A screenshot of the BattleTek 5 constructive simulation instructor's view, showing both Blue and Red forces. (Saab Grintek)

Saab has launched BattleTek 5, the latest, immersive version of its command and staff training system at the 2017 International Training and Education Conference (ITEC) in Rotterdam

Developed by Saab's South African subsidiary, Saab Grintek Defence (SGD), BattleTek was first fielded about 20 years ago. It is a constructive simulation system that provides training for headquarters staff from divisional down to platoon level, although JC van Schalkwyk, executive manager of SGD's training and simulation unit, told Jane's that the optimum level and the one that was most used in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was at brigade and battalion.

The new BattleTek 5 has been integrated with Bohemia Interactive Simulations' (BISim) Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) to provide an immersive experience for commanders using an Oculus Rift head-mounted display, enabling them to view the battlespace in a virtual environment.

Van Schalkwyk said that although VBS3 had been selected as the BattleTek 5 virtual environment for the SANDF, the system uses High-Level Architecture (HLA) protocols and therefore other virtual environments could be used.

He also noted that because the constructive simulation does not show individual entity activity in sufficient detail, "ownership" of the simulation is passed to VBS for the immersive element in order to avoid unreal visualisation.

BattleTek 5 has improved entity behaviour models, which can be selected and developed by the user, over those of its predecessor.

The system can also be integrated with command and control (C2) systems to enable trainees to use their own battle management systems (BMS), using standard protocols including Military Scenario Definition Language (MSDL), Coalition-Battle Management Language (C-BML) and Saab's WISE integration model.

The Military Scenario Definition Language (MSDL) is XML-based and designed to support scenario development that provides a common mechanism for verifying and loading military scenarios and the ability to create scenarios that can be shared between simulations and C2 systems.

Watch a video interview with Saab representatives here.

Original article from Janes 360