Cubic expands indirect fire training product line

Cubic has overcome the challenge of simulating the use of combustible charges and the recoil-assisted breech in its M777 155 mm howitzer simulator solution. An M777 is shown here in action with US forces. (US Army)

Cubic Defence is expecting a low rate initial production (LRIP) contract for its 81 mm mortar solution from the US Army, and has secured an interim 105 mm Light Gun simulator contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The company has also made progress in developing its indirect fire simulation solutions, according to representatives.

Speaking to Janes at Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2023 in Orlando, Florida, Alastair Parkinson, director training delivery portfolio at Cubic Defence UK, said that the company has taken a “product line approach” to the development of indirect fire simulators, which offer an “instrumented capability for mortars and howitzers that provides a collective capability as well as crew and individual training”.

The different solutions are based on the Blue Shell appliqué instrumentation and instrumented simulated ammunition developed for the British Army's 105 mm L118 Light Gun. This tracks bearing and elevation of the weapon together with charge and nature of round, calculates the impact point, and transmits the data into a tactical engagement simulation system (TESS) to provide the appropriate effect.

The impact can also be seen in the virtual synthetic wrap version of the training environment, allowing fire to be corrected by a forward observer, thus exercising the whole fire control chain in a live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) environment.