The US Army received two Virtual Combat Convoy Trainers (VCCTs) developed and built by Lockheed Martina and Firearms Training Systems (FATS), Inc. under a $9.6 million contract awarded on June 2003, to help train troops to recognize and respond to potential convoy threats including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The VCCT enables combat crews to communicate, maintain situational awareness and acquire targets while moving at highway speeds operating in a convoy environment. The simulators will be operated at US Army bases at Camp Shelby, MS and Fort Bragg, NC. The trainers are expected to improve convoy tactics and minimize combat related injuries and deaths resulting from attacks on convoys. One-third of all US casualties since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom were caused by attacks and accidents related to convoy traffic.
Every trainers has four cells, each occupies a tractor-trailer box and is fully self- contained, including a full-scale High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) The trainer is distinguished by a full-scale HMMWV that includes high-fidelity driver controls and accurately replicates all the physical and visual constraints associated with the M1025 HMMWV. It also generates all visual and audible combat effects and actual combat scenarios which deployed troops might encounter. The new trainer will enable soldiers to hone basic-to-advanced convoy skills incorporating realistic weapons engagement training and networked vehicle simulators to reinforce crew discipline.
The Lockheed Martin/FATS team used developed a comprehensive training device based on the operational Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT), integrated with FATS’ small arms, precision weapons training system to generate realistic convoy training to the troops. Vehicle simulation for the VCCT is derived from software developed for both CCTT and the United Kingdom’s Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (UK CATT).
