DSEi 2017: GDLS-UK to provide British Army with Ajax training solutions package.

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK will deliver a comprehensive state-of-the-art training solutions package for the British Army as part of the AJAX programme. These solutions, in particular the immersive Crew Turret Trainer (CTT) and the AJAX Desk Top Trainer (DTT) are showcased at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI).

British Army's future Ajax tracked armoured vehicle

Alongside the delivery of 589 AJAX platforms to the British Army, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK will supply a range of training solutions that maximise the use of simulation to reduce cost of ownership and burden on live platforms.

The training solutions will cover Gunnery and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), Driver Procedure and Maintenance, and Level 2/3 Maintenance. Initially, these training solutions will support 'Train the Trainer' activities before supporting Conversion and Steady State courses by the British Army.

Key elements of the training solutions being delivered include:

• Crew Turret Trainer (CTT): Developed by Lockheed Martin UK, in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, the CTT is self-contained within a 20-foot ISO container and includes a representative AJAX turret, which will replicate its systems and their functionality within a static, physical environment. All sensor views are simulated and the crews will operate in an immersive synthetic environment. The CTT consolidates classroom-based training in an environment that reflects the experience of the real vehicle. The first CTT is showcased on the General Dynamics stand at DSEI.

• Full Motion Driver Training Simulator (FMDTS): Developed by XPI, in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, the FMDTS is a classroom-based, full-motion, 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF), fully-immersive driver simulator. The trainee drivers will be able to experience the full performance of driving AJAX over different types of terrain and in different scenarios.

• Maintenance Trainer Electrical (MTE) – Hull and Turret: Developed by Pennant Training Solutions, in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, the MTE is a workshop-based trainer, which will support the training of British Army soldiers in the conduct of L2/3 maintenance on AJAX platforms.

Kevin Connell, vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said: "In partnership with our UK-based supply chain, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK is delivering an innovative suite of fully-immersive training solutions to the British Army in a cost-effective manner. This training enables the British Army to maximise the use of the first fully-digitised fleet of vehicles across all environments on future operations."

The range of AJAX variants will allow British Army 'Strike Brigades' to conduct sustained, expeditionary, full-spectrum and network-enabled operations with a reduced logistics footprint. They will operate in combined-arms and multinational situations across a wide-range of future operating environments.