Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, May 12, 2010
Cubic Simulation Experts Win 'Innovations in DoD Gaming Award'
ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - May 12, 2010) - A team of three Cubic (
Luke Devore, a lead analyst, Pat Maloney, a scenario developer, and Brian Libretto, a simulation analyst made up the team that was given the first-place award March 30 at a ceremony in Orlando, Fla. Employed by Cubic Applications, Inc., a mission support services business of Cubic, the team works in the Deployable Virtual Training Environment (DVTE) section of the II Marine Expeditionary Force Battle Simulation Center at Camp Lejeune.
This was the first Innovations in DoD Gaming award, which recognizes the most innovative use of an existing simulation as a means of improving training for Department of Defense personnel. It was given by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Readiness and Training) and the organizations of Team Orlando, an alliance of DoD and industry training and simulation stakeholders seeking to "improve human performance through simulation."
The II MEF Simulation Center beat out 12 other applicants from across the DoD and industry with their entry, called the Tactical Virtual Guided Discussion (TVGD) concept.
At the II MEF Simulation Center, the team developed a method for conducting tactical decision game-type training using Bohemia Interactive's first-person simulation, called Virtual Battle Space 2 (VBS2). The TVGD concept allows squad-sized groups to receive an orientation, situation and mission just like traditional Tactical Decision Games. But the TVGD also allows the training audiences to execute the mission in a first-person virtual environment.
But first-person execution is not the principle training objective TVGDs are intended to support. As the name implies, TVGDs are designed to provide just enough execution to facilitate a robust discussion on critical tactical thinking and decision-making. VBS2 uses a multi-sensory format that enables Marines to quickly and thoroughly understand the learning outcomes.
Each TVGD scenario is a replication of an actual combat event as recorded by units in reports. By re-creating these events, the Marines are able to understand more completely the kinds of tactical dilemmas they are likely to encounter in Afghanistan. Currently, there are 10 complete TVGD scenarios, each focusing on unique tactical dilemmas. These scenarios will be made available to every unit in the Marine Corps with a DVTE suite. As additional after-action battle reports and vignettes are made available from operating forces the catalog of scenarios will expand.
Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business segments: Defense Systems, Mission Support Services and Transportation Systems. Cubic Defense Systems is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems and defense electronics. Mission Support Services is a leading provider of training, operations, maintenance, technical and other support services. Cubic Transportation Systems is the world's leading provider of automated fare collection systems and services for public transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's Web site at [ http://www.cubic.com/ ].
