BISim (Bohemia Interactive Simulations) has just announced a deal with the NZDF (New Zealand Defence Force) to purchase licenses for BISim’s simulation VBS4 software. The NZDF plans to use it for its tactical command and control training program.
VBS Blue Engine
Unlike some other game engine-based simulations, VBS4’s ‘VBS Blue’ engine was developed specifically to serve the military simulation and training domain. The VBS Blue engine simultaneously offers users both millimetric accuracy and global scalability.
Partial screen capture shows one way NZDF might deploy VBS4
Managing Director of Bohemia Interactive Australia, Ryan Stephenson tells us:
“VBS4 provides a comprehensive virtual desktop training environment with whole-earth rendering for tactical training, experimentation, and mission rehearsal. The software performs as a powerful simulation host for any image generator and supports a wide range of individual, team, and collective activities up to the battlegroup level.”
VBS4 supports large-scale virtual scenarios and has hundreds of authentic military training uses. It also has a flexible terrain import system that can incorporate and deploy large quantities of complex terrain data from virtually any source. It is envisaged this is a feature that NZDF will put to good use.
In addition to desktop usage, VBS4 has “out-of-the-box” integration with virtual reality VR (virtual reality) and MR (mixed reality) headsets, including the Varjo XR-3 and other commercial off-the-shelf/military off-the-shelf (COTS/MOTS) hardware (such as armored fighting vehicle weapons controllers).
This provides the NZDF with common simulation software that can be redeployed in a wide variety of its training scenaria. Thus reducing the product’s TCO (total cost of ownership).
Example of the sort of virtual terrain that NZDF could generate with VBS4
The NZDF is also a long-term user of BISim’s Terratools virtual terrain simulation software. It has been used to build a number of highly detailed tactical maps of the New Zealand Army’s training sites.
In fact, NZDF has been using BISim’s products for over 15 years. BISim intends to continue providing software, support, product training, and development services through its local subsidiary Bohemia Interactive Australia (BIA).
About BISim
A subsidiary of BAE Systems Inc. and originally founded in 2001, BISim (Bohemia Interactive Simulations) is a global software company. It produces a range of simulation and training software development for defense and civilian organizations. Its engineers use the latest game-based technology to develop high-fidelity, cost-effective training, and simulation software products.
Thousands of military personnel around the world are trained using VBS software products. More than 60 NATO and NATO-friendly countries and over 300 system integrators and prime contractors deploy VBS technology. Its customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Canadian Armed Forces, French Armed Forces, Bundeswehr, Swedish Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force, and of course, the NZDF. In fact, BISim’s VBS products have become one of the most widely used COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) product ranges in the military-simulation sector.
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