New MoD Training Equipment for Roadside and Suicide Bomb Threat

UK Ministry of Defence, The MoD today demonstrated its latest hi-tech simulation training equipment, including new devices that help frontline troops deal with the threat posed by roadside and suicide bombs. 
 
The IED (Improvised Explosive Device) simulator generates greater realism in the training environment by providing explosions, smoke and sound effects. It can be integrated into any number of training exercises, including those for roadside bombs, vehicle bombs and building entry. 
 
Bob Ainsworth, Minister for Armed Forces, said: 
 
“Training is a vital part of force protection. This investment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring troops have the best training equipment and facilities. As the type of threat changes, we must be able to adapt our training to meet operational needs. This latest simulator does just that.” 
 
Wearing a “Quasar style” simulation kit, soldiers at the MoD's urban training village in Wiltshire went through a variety of battlefield exercises. 
 
The “suicide bomber” simulation vest was also on display. It supports training by allowing the trainer to wear and set off the device in realistic scenarios. 
 
The new simulation training equipment joins a wide variety of virtual training systems used by the Land Warfare Centre. The Centre is responsible for ensuring that brigades in the Field Army maintain their tactical edge, and that the Army is capable of maintaining its warfighting skills, both now and in the future.  
 
Background Information
1. The MoD has invested £250,000 in this training equipment. 
 
2. The IED (Improvised Explosive Device) trainer and suicide bomber vests have been supplied by Combat Training Solutions. 
 
3. TES (Tactical Engagement System) incorporates a number of programmes to deliver Live Battle group level exercises with simulated effects. It supports training for heavy armour through to light infantry as well as the specialist units and provides forces on forces engagements in what is regarded as the closest thing to real war. The system users lasers and instruments all vehicles and dismounted “players” to provide maximum fidelity and training realism. TES is subject to enhancement over time to reflect the introduction of new defence capability to service and organic growth. 
 
4. The Land Warfare Centre (LWC) was established in 2002 in response to the Field Army's requirement to train units and formations for programmed contemporary operations. At that time, these were principally in the Balkans and N Ireland, but now include Iraq and Afghanistan. LWC uses virtual and constructive simulation to aid the training progression towards the last stage of achieving competence using real vehicles, real soldiers and real equipment. Mistakes and risks are actively encouraged in the simulated environment, which are easy to both correct and analyse to enhance learning. 
 
5. The Land Warfare Centre is based in Warminster and the simulation training took place at Copehill Down Village near Shrewton.