FCS MDT - Future Combat Systems Mobile Demonstration Trailer
Overview
The Boeing Company, a co-lead integrator of the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, saw the need to demonstrate FCS concepts to the military, legislators and their staff, and the general public. Their solution to this problem was to create a trailer to containing vehicle simulators to showcase capabilities of various FCS platforms. The FCS Mobile Demonstration Trailer has traveled across the country to the Pentagon, Congress, military bases, conferences and civilian events.
The FCS MDT gives visitors a hands-on, interactive experience to better understand the FCS program, which moves the Army to a network-centric concept of operations.
What GPS Created
GPS was responsible for all hardware, software, and interior and exterior graphics for the 53-foot trailer. GPS created high fidelity simulated environments, and intuitive interfaces. These were integrated with six motion platforms which let visitors drive through a scenario as part of a platoon of Mounted Combat Systems. Visitors can engage targets using direct fire, non-line of sight (NLOS) fire and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) fire, control an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and experience the benefits of improved situational awareness and network-centric operations.
Date delivered: Most recently updated, April 2008; put into service February 2007
How it works
Guests enter the Mobile Demonstration Trailer where they receive an introduction to the Future Combat Systems program and a briefing on their mission.
The mission begins when they buckle themselves into one of the six motion platforms mounted inside the trailer. The six seats are organized into three pairs – Common Crew Stations, each consisting of a driver and a gunner position. The six motion platforms simulate a platoon of Mounted Combat Systems (MCS).
Guests are guided through a mission where they utilize three different forms of targeting:
- Direct fires – the gunner sights the target directly and fires the MCS’s main gun or coaxial machine gun.
- Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) fires – the gunner uses an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to identify a target, and requests networked fires. Another system, such as a NLOS Cannon, NLOS Mortar or NLOS Launch System fires a round at the target.
- Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) fires – the gunner uses an UAV to identify a target and fires the MCS’s main gun.
The motion platforms enhance the immersion in the experience by simulating the feel of the MCS as it traverses the terrain and fires its weapons. Guests operate the MCS using touch screens and custom-designed cadillac controls.
The FCS MDT is controlled by over 30 computers located in the equipment room at the front of the trailer. All functions are managed by a single technician stationed at the Operator’s Console.
For more information about the FCS MDT, please contact us.
Impact
The FCS MDT has been very successful as a communications tool and continues to be updated and enhanced regularly. The FCS MDT won the 2007 New Mexico IT Award for Best Integrated System.
-
Full Spectrum Command
FSC version 1.5 was created to allow trainees to experience tactical command and control of a US Army Light infantry Company. This interactive training tool lets commanders hone skills learned through traditional instruction on a virtual asymmetrical battlefield.
-
Full Spectrum Leader
FSL was created to allow trainees to experience tactical command and control of a US Army Light Infantry Platoon in a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) environment. Another version was customized for the Singapore Armed Forces.
-
ELECT BiLAT
As part of their deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Army officers have become responsible for maintaining the peace while working together with locals. This tool was designed to help them gain skills for cross-cultural meetings and negotiations at the interpersonal level.
-
C3IT
The Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) needed to be able to demonstrate some of their technologies at conferences and other locations. C3IT was created as a portable immersive environment that would showcase speech recognition and natural language understanding.
-
IIT
In the Infantry Immersive Trainer (IIT), Marines experience close-quarters battle in a realistic urban setting complete with sights, sounds and smells.
-
JFETS UTM
In an urban environment, the challenges for Army forward observers include limiting collateral damage and noncombatant casualties as they call for artillery fire. The JFETS UTM lets forward observers gain the value of lessons learned in a challenging training system.
-
JFETS CASM
The JFETS CASM is an immersive training environment enabling Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) to practice calling in close air support and communicating with pilots using a custom cylindrical display with an unobstructed view of a realistic simulated sky.
-
CAD-TS
Patriot Missile crews have traditionally been trained using radar simulations, whiteboards, field manuals and sand tables. Instructors have not had the tools necessary to teach the critical skill of visualizing the battle space in three dimensions.
-
FCS MDT
The Boeing Company required a way to showcase capabilities of various Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) concepts. The FCS Mobile Demonstration Trailer has traveled across the country, giving visitors a hands-on, interactive experience including vehicle simulators.
-
ELECT UrbanSim
High ranking Army officers in Iraq are now charged with maintaining stability, fighting insurgency and crime, and reconstructing infrastructure. ELECT UrbanSim lets commanders reap the benefits of lessons learned in a realistic way, without risk.
![[Photo of the GPS offices]](images/design/gps-location.jpg)