A forward-looking, innovative and agile force, the Canadian Army continues to seek capabilities that enhance operational effectiveness. With this in mind, the Army has articulated a clear vision and expectations for its Land Vehicle Crew Training System (LVCTS) program. The delivery, technology and innovation demand put forth by the DND project team has set a challenging target for industry to meet. Thales stands ready to meet and exceed these expectations with an innovative vision that is based on leading edge in-service solutions, next-generation digital architecture and a performance-based training approach. The Canadian Army demands that the LVCTS solution leverage digital technologies that include cybersecurity, big data, AI and connectivity. Game-changing technologies, that when combined with Thales’ world-class pedigree in the delivery of army training solutions makes for a compelling LVCTS offer.
Delivering mission readiness
Having the ability to train at home for missions abroad is paramount to ensuring mission readiness for soldiers and vehicle crews, from the section to battle group level. Thales’ dynamic armoured fighting vehicle training and simulation solutions offer armed forces the ability to train as individuals or groups using advanced, interactive vehicle simulations, enabling the most realistic operational scenarios across various terrains and multiple types of vehicles. More than 300 vehicle driving simulators across 18 different platforms are now in operation in 12 countries, in both fixed and mobile settings.
Part of Thales’ training and simulation capabilities includes the Tactical Indoor Simulation System (TACTIS), which has been in operation and delivering successful training results for the Royal Netherlands Army since 2011.
The system offers individual and collective training for up to 150 trainees, utilizing 74 networked simulators and multilevel technical instruction and tactical training for mechanized infantries and tank battalions. At the individual training level, a single crew station is used to develop the skills of commanders, gunners/loaders and drivers. The crew stations are linked over secure, local area networks to train up to the combat team level.
This training, aimed at preparing live exercises and real missions, takes place in a dynamic virtual environment including large urban areas populated with numerous battlespace effects (craters, trenches, minefields, destroyed buildings) and objects like vehicles, helicopters, civilians, etc. allowing users the most realistic landscape setting possible.
Thales’ simulation technology comes with unique advantages that deliver programmable training scenarios in ways not possible just a few years ago. Today, armed forces have the ability to replicate environmental and weather conditions, challenging equipment issues and infinite rehearsal options at no risk to safety or infrastructure loss. Combining these advantages with powerful, automated data analytics offers users a comprehensive evaluation of the success of the simulated mission quickly and easily.
Combining TACTIS, Thales’ indoor, networked and modular simulation system with its user-friendly training and simulation software interface provides armed forces with the specialized training they require to support multiple theatres around the world. It is a powerful tactical and technical simulation platform tailored for combined forces instruction and training, based on maximum interoperability between all simulator types and flexibility across a range of different vehicles and multilevel training configurations.
The fully interoperable TACTIS components allow for up to 450 centralized units, securely networked in real-time, to develop, prepare, execute and assess a wide variety of high-intensity technical lessons and tactical scenarios in a safe virtual environment. Critical simulation features can include combat engineering support, forward observing, mechanized infantry drills, ground vehicle advancements as well as allowing infantry group commanders to guide their group, conduct dismounted reconnaissance, order basic drills, issue fire control orders, and conduct opening fire procedures.
Thales’ simulator technology enables military personnel to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and learn how their new and updated instruments and combat systems will function in the field while being able to provide crucial information to their peers and superiors via a tactical and state-of-the-art communications system.
TACTIS is the most sophisticated simulation training platform, meeting the most demanding requirements of combined forces in increasingly complex operations.
Thales continues to evolve the TACTIS solution. The open architecture facilitates system evolution aligned with emerging training requirements and technology insertion points. Based on the specific training needs of the Canadian Army, Thales will be deploying big data and artificial intelligence solutions to further improve training effectiveness. These tailored enhancements will be developed in Canada, by Canadians, leveraging Thales’ existing national footprint and its more than $1 billion global investment in key digital technologies including at cortAIx, one of Thales’ AI Centre of Excellence and its North American Digital Factory, located in Montreal.
Thales Canada
A Canadian leader in research and technology, and a proud enabler of Canada’s innovation policy, Thales Canada combines over 50 years of experience with the talent of more than 2,000 skilled people located coast-to-coast. With revenues of over $850 million, Thales Canada offers leading capabilities in the urban rail, civil aviation, defence, digital identity and security sectors, meeting the most complex needs and requirements of its customers across all operating environments.
Thales partners with more than 500 Canadian companies and leading academic and research institutions with a proven track record of successful Canadian technology development.
