BAE Systems to Upgrade the Australian Army’s Air Defence Simulator

4 Desember 2009



The Advanced Air Defence Simulator consists of a 12.5-metre diameter dome, an RBS70 (missile) Weapon System facsimile and a recording and debriefing system. An RBS70 Detachment consisting of the Commander, Operator and Loader take post at the facsimile in the centre of the dome. The simulator displays multiple realistic aerial targets, allowing for a full engagement sequence to be performed in simulated weather, light and battlefield conditions including noise. (photo : siaa-asn)


ADELAIDE, Australia --- The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has awarded BAE Systems a new $5 million contract to refresh critical equipment at the Australian Army’s Advanced Air Defence Simulator (AADS).

The AADS, located at the 16th Air Defence Regiment’s facility at Woodside, near Adelaide, provides a world-class training capability in the use of ground to air missile systems.

The refresh, due to be completed by March 2011, will require BAE Systems to replace obsolete projectors, computers and software with the very latest equipment and programs.

Under a program originally known as Land 19 Phase 2B, BAE Systems is also contracted to operate the facility through to July 2013, providing the Army with the capability to deliver 270 training days each year.

Major Christian Hamilton, Operations Officer, 16 Air Defence Regiment, said the AADS enabled soldiers to participate in ‘life like’ ground to air battle scenarios, and their responses and behaviour could then be immediately analysed by instructors.

“The big advantage of the AADS simulator is its ability to create such realistic scenarios using synthetic environments. Even on a training exercise it is impossible to recreate the realism that you can experience using the simulator.”

Mr Steve Baldock, Training and Support Systems Manager for BAE Systems’ Joint Business Unit, said that the contracts were a key element in sustaining the Australian Army’s simulation capability.

“The AADS also provides considerable cost savings. For example, the ‘real world’ cost to fire one missile would be more than $150 000,” Mr Baldock said.


(Defense Aerospace)