U.S. Army selects nFocus advanced training software, simulated battle scenarios to improve soldier performance
Posted by Courtney E. Howard
PHOENIX, 25 Oct. 2011. Officials at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center (CAC) sought a technology firm to serve as prime contractor for the design, construction, integration, operation, and maintenance of training environments based on hands-on experience with Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS) workstations and Joint Command and Control (C2) systems. They found their solution at nFocus Software in Phoenix.
nFocus Software won a $4.4 million contract from the CAC, based at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The CAC is home to the National Simulation Center, where brigade and above battle staffs are trained in mission-command related tasks by running computer-based, simulated battle scenarios on the Constructive Training Environment (CTE), one of three forms of training available.
Battle staffs are evaluated on their ability to: analyze intelligence, communicate effectively, develop plans, make timely decisions, and disseminate clear and actionable orders. nFocus Software monitors the performance of each of these Soldiers based on a preset criteria.
"As the battlefield evolves, so must the way we train. Having the ability to run our mission commanders and their staffs through complex battle scenarios helps us to test our mission capabilities in a safe environment,” according to Col. Tony Krogh, director of national simulation center. “Being able to track individual and unit performance in a detailed-oriented capacity allows us to further refine those capabilities. Lessons learned from computer simulations are much more forgiving than those learned on the battlefield."
The contract runs through September 2012, with a two-year option. Intelligent Decision Systems Inc. partnered with nFocus Software on the proposal. nFocus Software personnel will oversee program management out of the company’s Fort Leavenworth and Orlando offices.
"As the need for our soldiers to adapt to various battlefield scenarios continues to increase, so does the need for more advanced simulation training and software to accurately track and ascertain their performance in real time," says Ananda Roberts, president of nFocus Software.
