Posted by Courtney E. Howard
VIENNA, Va., 9 Sept. 2010. A-T Solutions Inc., an anti- and counterterrorism firm headquartered in Tysons Corner, Va., won an $8.9 million contract to support Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Joint Center of Excellence (JCOE). A-T Solutions, through the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, is contracted to deliver Mobile Counter Improvised Explosive Device Interactive Trainers (MCIT), a technology-based solution for delivering counter-IED training. The contract contains options to deliver additional training units, which, if exercised, will expand the project value to $17.8 million.
“We are pleased to be delivering our first MCIT training program to the U.S. Navy,” says Dennis Kelly, CEO of A-T Solutions. “This is an exciting program because through its deployment we have the chance to save lives by increasing the number of our warfighters who will be better prepared to detect and defeat IEDs during operational deployments.”
The MCIT program was developed as a pilot over the past two years under the JIEDDO Joint Center of Excellence sponsorship to address the critical needs of the military in the area of counter-IED training. Three prototype systems were designed and built in 2009 by the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies and A-T Solutions to support the training of soldiers prior to deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. MCITs are located at Fort Campbell, Camp Pendleton, and Camp Shelby.
The MCIT, able to train an entire company-sized unit each day, helps troops recognize components of IEDs and teaches them how to detect the deadly weapons by using interactive video, terrain maps, and realistic simulations. It also tests for knowledge retention. The training approach includes video storytelling techniques and multimedia technology, as well as a constructive “Red vs. Blue” simulation. Its modular design accommodates the need for rapid updating and customization of content, which is especially effective in keeping forces current on the latest enemy activities, trends, and tactics.
“What is especially unique about MCIT is that its content can be updated and modified quickly and cost-effectively and then redeployed fast,” Kelly adds. “Also, because of the program’s modular construction and mobile nature, once these units are built, the entire training program inside can be swapped out to address a customer’s changing training needs in any part of the world. This is key to helping our warfighters adapt to an ever-changing threat. We believe this technology solution is highly adaptable to support similar training needs in other federal agencies as well as in the state and local municipal markets we serve.”
The design, development and configuration of the MCIT program are being coordinated by A-T Solutions, with manufacturing support from its subcontractor Isolated Ground, a Glendale, Calif.-based construction company that specializes in building film sets for commercials and Hollywood productions. Under separate contract, the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies is providing creative video and simulation content through the JIEDDO Joint Center of Excellence.
