08 December 2021

I/ITSEC 2021: Ravenswood develops new capabilities for British Army training in Kenya

by Giles Ebbutt

Ravenswood has upgraded some of its MGTS components for the British Army's TESIK contract: FREDI-T (left), O/C/M tablet (centre), ECM emulator (right). (Giles Ebbutt)

Ravenswood Solutions has developed new capabilities for its tactical engagement simulation system instrumentation for British Army training facilities in Kenya, which were showcased at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2021 held in Orlando, Florida, from 29 November to 3 December.

Ravenswood, in partnership with RUAG and QinetiQ, won the Tactical Engagement Simulation in Kenya (TESIK) contract in 2020, replacing Saab. Ravenswood told Janes that it was awaiting formal certification for achieving an initial operating capability, having supported three exercises in 2021 with a preliminary capability. The final acceptance tests of the new system, which is based on Ravenswood's existing mobile ground truth system (MGTS), will take place in early 2022. The first major in-service exercise with it will follow thereafter.

Ravenswood has upgraded its MGTS tracking device, the First Responder Enhanced Dismounted Instrumentation (FREDI), for the new contract. The upgraded unit, known as FREDI-T, is lighter (less than 900 g) than its predecessor, has faster update rates, and includes a multilevel personal area network (PAN) capability.

The PAN enables the FREDI-T to be twinned with a posture estimation sensor, a 57 g sensor containing an inertial measurement unit worn on the ankle that can estimate three different player posture states: standing, kneeling, and prone. This enables realistic indirect fire effects to be imposed by the MGTS adjudication system by taking into account the player's vulnerability according to the individual's position and posture. It also improves the realism in after-action reviews.

Ravenswood Solutions has developed new capabilities for its tactical engagement simulation system in...

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