This is being achieved through the acquisition of the Indirect Fire Trainer (IFT) and the Indirect Fire Forward Air Controller Trainer (I-FACT) systems from Meggitt Training Systems which is also providing training to client units.
The IFT provides realistic artillery, mortar and naval gunfire training without the added expense of ammunition or real estate.
The system accurately supports the forward observer's real world duties and responsibilities.
Training is conducted in three dimensional terrain databases providing the trainee full and unrestricted movement over scores of virtual kilometres.
Instructors may create their own offensive and defensive scenario operations or develop basic forward observer range courses of varying degrees of difficulty using the built-in scenario generation tool kit.
The tool kit comes with over 300 targets ranging over armour, infantry, wheeled vehicles, aircraft, man-made objects, obstacles and civilians.
The I-FACT supports training for Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), Joint Forward Observers (JFO's), Naval Gunfire Observers and Fire Support Planning.
These training objectives are achieved through a variety of solutions that include classroom and laptop based training as well as add-on options that can be bundled with other systems.
Virtual training missions are many and wide-ranging and include fixed and rotary wing close air support missions, close air support using bomber aircraft, AC-130 Gunship close air support, close air support planning, coordination and de-confliction of aircraft, simultaneous attack of targets using both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and Naval Gunfire Support missions.