Thales to supply transmission network simulator to French Army
Thales has received a Moyen Adapté à la Simulation des Transmissions en Réseaux (MASTER) contract from the French defence procurement agency (DGA) for the delivery of a transmission network simulator to France's Army.
Under the contract, Thales will design and deliver the simulator to enable army instructors to train the soldiers responsible for deployment of Réseau Intégré des Transmissions Automatiques (RITA) system in all relevant combat scenarios.
Combining simulation techniques with actual transmissions, the MASTER simulator will replace the Semsic simulator to support deployment and operation of transmission networks training at the French Army's signals academy (ETRS) in Rennes, France.
"The MASTER simulator will replace the Semsic simulator to support deployment and operation of transmission networks training at the French Army's signals academy."
The Semsic simulator was previously used to instruct and train soldiers to operate the Rita network.
Featuring advancements over Semsic in terms of databases, usability and additional links, the latest simulator will offer facilities required by instructors for conducting exercises in the form of operational scenarios, as well as allowing trainees assessment and end-of-course debriefing.
The simulator will prepare the signals personnel for training in a joint forces environment during actual deployments by merging technological functionality of tactical networks together with human factors during operations.
Simulated network environments generated by the simulator will bring the army significant cost savings by eliminating requirements for real equipment deployment, and enabling regiments to lessen the ecological footprints of their preparations.
The simulator is scheduled to undergo a qualification period of several months, prior to delivery to ETRS signals academy in May 2014, according to the company, which will also provide through-life support for three years following delivery.
Developed by Thales in the 2000s, the Rita network is a tactical meshed transmission system and is currently deployed by the French Army in multiple remote theatres of operations.
Source: Army-technology.com - Article
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