Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Northrop Grumman Laboratory-Based Prototype Advances U.S. Army Training on Integrated Battle Command System Contract

Northrop Grumman Laboratory-Based Prototype Advances U.S. Army Training on Integrated Battle Command System Contract
March 31, 2010

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Virtual, Interactive, Collaborative, Training, Resource/Environment (VICTR/E) laboratory is revolutionizing U.S. Army training with its innovative use of avatars. The company created the lab, located in Huntsville, Ala., as part of its pursuit of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) contract.

Northrop Grumman developed the VICTR/E lab using the Army's capability development document for IAMD, which follows the U.S.
Department of Defense Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System procedure and ensures the implementation of capabilities-based requirements defined by combatant commanders. The VICTR/E lab was designed to not only address contract requirements; it also saves the Army time and money by replicating a fully operational system. The lab simulates air battle scenarios for warfighter training. The lab also uses avatars, or three-dimensional computer representations of humans, to train soldiers.

The avatars – which move and talk – interact with the soldiers in a scripted, life-like battle or air battle environment. The virtual
reality realm allows one or two soldiers to train with an entire battle staff. While the lab started with only scripted scenarios, the Northrop Grumman team has since developed "live" avatars that allow for unscripted training exercises.

"This type of immersive training will have great benefit for the warfighter," said Karen Williams, vice president of Air and Missile
Defense Systems for Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector. "It will keep them trained and ready in the valuable skills needed to
prosecute an air battle."

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