Thales Australia has signed a contract with the Defence Materiel Organisation to upgrade the Collins Submarine Platform Training Simulator (PTS).

Simulation is arguably the fastest growing technology within the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with all three services acquiring a variety of simulation systems to enhance training, sustain proficiency and achieve cost effectiveness.

Simulation and modelling are vital enablers for Capability Development Group (CDG), which draws on the resources of the Joint Decision Support and Simulation Centre (JDSC), the Rapid Prototyping Development and Evaluation program (RPDE), and the Defence Science and Technology organisation (DSTO) for activities ranging from Future Soldier experimentation to preparation of the Defence Capability Plan (DCP).

Already a leader in the use of simulation for training, including mission rehearsal and mission-specific training, the ever-adaptive Army is on the road to institutionalising simulation, garnering its many other benefits in such diverse areas as operational planning, decision making, concept evaluation, and modelling for options assessment.

There will only be two LHD ships. With that in mind, the necessary training for all the crews, both permanent and occasional, will need to use land-based methods of training to maximise their knowledge before going on the ships themselves. Simulation, modelling and experimentation have a huge role to play for both Army and Navy.

With an ever increasing demand for simulation in the defence force, Brisbane based company Immersaview, has shown off its latest suite of technology.

CAE announced that it will deploy a new CAE 5000 Series full-flight simulator (FFS) in Melbourne in the first half of 2012 for training pilots and maintenance technicians.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has announced the award of a Command Team Trainer Simulation Infrastructure contract in the order of $8.6 million for the Hobart Class AWD Command Team Trainer.

The Defence Chief Information Officer Group will again partner with the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy in the hosting of the 2011 MilCIS Conference.

CAE Australia recently announced that it has upgraded the Royal Australian Air Force's C-130J Hercules full-flight and mission simulator to provide additional tactical training capabilities.

BAE Systems has been engaged by the Commonwealth for the development and delivery of training for the Royal Australian Navy's Landing Helicopter Dock ships.

Boeing has announced that it will use a Helimod helicopter simulator leased from Ryan Aerospace to help train Australian Army pilots to fly Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters.

Defence has signed a contract worth $25 million with Thales Australia to deliver nine additional vehicle training simulators for Australian Army crews operating the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle.

The Land-Based Test Site at BAE Systems in Williamstown for the Landing Helicopter Dock project is now complete with testing to commence immediately.

A new training device at RAAF Base Richmond will assist Air Force C-130 Hercules crews to prepare for the threats they might face on operations and provide experience to trainee loadmasters.

The first students to enter training under the UK Military Flying Training System program arrived at Royal Air Force station Barkston Heath on June 20 to train as Royal Navy Helicopter Observers.