Australia has signed an agreement with BAE Systems to continue enterprise software support for the armed forces’ VBS3 virtual desktop trainer.
The deal extends the capability’s operation for the 12th consecutive year under Canberra’s military. It will continue coverage for available downloads and the latest version of the wargame simulator.
The partnership will also maintain access between BAE’s support teams and international Australian Defence Force (ADF) users.
Another contract was signed to fulfill continued support for the VBS3’s corresponding Image Generator solution across all the service’s Weapon Training Simulation Systems and Mobile Weapon Training Systems.
BAE’s New South Wales-based segment Bohemia Interactive Australia (BIA) will lead tasks for the projects.
“Once again, we’re honored that the ADF and the Australian Army have chosen to continue and strengthen this close and ongoing relationship with us,” BIA Managing Director Ryan Stephenson stated.
“BIA has proudly supplied the ADF with the best commercial-off-the-shelf game-based simulation software for over a decade.”
The VBS Ecosystem
BAE’s VBS was developed to bolster warfighters’ tactical skills in-house. Similar to modern gaming applications, the software provides an open-world environment that can be reconfigured according to preparation requirements.
The platform features courses of action, patrol debriefing, adversary, time, and weather elements to rehearse real-world missions anywhere in the world.
Additionally, users can utilize virtual versions of vehicles and artillery tools in the digital battlespace to match the capabilities of their actual armories in practice sessions.
Virtual Trainer in New Zealand
Australian ally New Zealand tapped BAE in August to modernize its existing VBS software to BIA’s latest configuration.
The award included the digital presentation production of Wellington’s eight-wheeled Light Armoured Vehicles.
