British Army’s UBVT system achieves FOC

The British Army’s Unit Based Virtual Training (UBVT) system designed and delivered by NSC has reached full operational capability (FOC).

FOC was achieved following the completion of a series of events that demonstrated the system’s proficiency to collectively train troops in a realistic synthetic environment.

Available to all regular and reserve units, the UBVT system will provide virtual training to the British Army until 2020. The system immerses soldiers in high-fidelity terrains featuring authentic equipment and enables units to practice fire and manoeuvre, command and control, tactics, techniques and procedures in preparation for live training opportunities and operational deployments.

Recent examples of the UBVT system’s deployment includes rifle and fire support companies from 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh working alongside a reconnaissance platoon to practice combined arms manoeuvres in a complex, European-style battlespace; and a squadron from the Royal Tank Regiment conducting training and mastering new doctrine before being deployed on an overseas exercise.

The system uses the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Virtual Simulation and is run on a network of laptop computers, with trainees able to communicate via headsets and an emulation of the army’s Platform Battlefield Information Systems application. It is delivered by NSC as a managed service.

The UBVT system requires minimal logistical support and allows everything from tents and vehicles to classrooms and hangars to be transformed into training venues. It uses a comprehensive progression and exercise management system that can track collective training achievements and provide objective evidence for after-action review activities.