The International Training Exhibition and Conference (ITEC) is a dedicated military training, simulation and education exhibition held in Europe annually. This year's ITEC took place in London, United Kingdom from 22 to 24 May 2012. The exhibition featured 140 international vendors providing the latest and most innovative products, services and solutions available in Defence training and Simulation. The conference programme included addresses by military and industry experts can be grouped into 4 categories, namely
(1) Meeting the current and future operational needs;
(2) Designing and acquiring the best training solutions;
(3) Maintaining the technological advantage; and
(4) Addressing the people dimension.
Since its inception 8 years ago, eLC Pte Ltd has grown from being an e-learning content developer and quickly expanded into providing consultancy that covers a wide range of training services, including training simulation. To keep pace with the advances in simulation technology, besides attending the Inter-service/Industry Training Simulation & Education Conference (I/ITSEC) that is held annually in Orlando, Florida, USA, ITEC was identified as another platform where eLC could pick up critical new technologies, cutting edge simulation research & development, and build relationships with other international players in the training simulation industry.
The eLC team that attended ITEC 2012 comprised Mr William Chua, CEO, eLC Pte Ltd and Mr Allan Tang, Head Business Development (Defence).
Of the 39 categories of exhibits featured at ITEC 2012, the ones that are of relevance to eLC are simulation programming, simulation modelling, terrain database development, virtual simulation training, graphic display systems and robotics for physical simulation. The advances in technology has allowed 2-dimension (2D) terrain databases to be developed from aerial photographs and other imagery in a matter of weeks by a single engineer. It would have taken numerous months by a few engineers to create a 20km x 20km 2D terrain database just a few years ago. For 3-D urban terrain databases, it could now be developed in a matter of months if there are sufficient imagery available from satellites. What is even more profound is that these terrain databases could be converted to support different programming languages, including backward compatible C+ programmes to more modern programming languages.
Different e-learning programs of eLC showcased during the event such as i-Direct.
In the creation of virtual simulation models, e.g. M1A1 Abrams Tank, many vendors now create a single library of 3D models that could be used to support a variety of virtual simulation languages. This plug & play approach is now possible since there is no need to create a different set of models for each database programme. The fidelity of the models are also sharper and more realistic. This is made possible by the super-high processing speed of CPUs to deal with each model comprising thousands of polygons. Some vendors have also conducted intensive research into human movement and behaviour. The outcome is very realistic virtual human models that mimic real life human beings. Others have studied into liquid behaviour and could allow virtual amphibious platforms, e.g. AAAV, to "swim" in very realistic sea state and current dependent terrain database. Coupled with high density display systems, the virtual world has now been transformed almost into the real world.
Traditional Trainers and Simulators are still widely used by various armed forces today as they provide a less expensive means to hone combat skills. ITEC 2012 featured various table-top trainers for small-arms shooting ranges to platform gunnery trainers.
Also observed at ITEC 2012 were computer-based training systems for command and control competencies. And featuring for the first time at ITEC was cyber warfare detection and mitigation measures.
The technology developed for traditional trainers has also infused into the commercial sectors. The picture on the right shows the technology in military virtual trainers being applied for the conduct of training on a commercial platform-based shovel to dig up pits.
"It was indeed a fruitful trip to witness firsthand the emerging trends in the technology advancement for training simulation to meet the future operational requirements!" enthused Mr Allan Tang, Head Business Development (Defence), eLC.
As usual, play comes after work. Whilst in London, the team also found time to do a little sightseeing around one of the most expensive cities in the world. The team managed to visit the Westminster Abbey and walked along Victoria Street to view "Big Ben" and "London Eye".
Next ITEC will be held in Rome, Italy from 22 to 24 May 2013.... any volunteers?