Weapons training system enhancement wins major project management award

10 Nov 2016 Media release

A Department of Defence project team has won a prestigious project management award for the enhancement of weapons training systems across the country.

The Australian Institute of Project Management national award in the Defence/Aerospace category was awarded to the AMP029.44 project team within the Land Systems Division (LSD) of Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group for the introduction of four new simulated weapon systems.

The Weapon Training Simulation System (WTSS) is a virtual weapons range designed to allow Australian Defence Force personnel to practice weapon handling drills, marksmanship and fire control orders.

Meggitt Training Systems Australia (MTSA) and the LSD project team worked collaboratively to overcome numerous issues around scope and schedule, as well as several software and hardware challenges.

MTSA recently signed a $42.7 million (excluding GST) service support contract extension with Defence for WTSS, the Indirect Fire Trainer (IFT) and Indirect Fire-Forward Air Control Trainer (I-FACT).

Based in Albury, NSW, MTSA is responsible for the operation and maintenance of WTSS units at 18 regional locations throughout Australia, maintenance of fixed IFT systems at the School of Artillery Puckapunyal, Victoria, and support for mobile IFT and I-FACT systems at various regular and reserve units, including special forces units, throughout Australia.