Thales to modernize German Navy’s tactical trainer

The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and in Source Support (BAAINBw) has contracted the French company Thales to modernize the German Navy’s tactical and procedural trainer (TVTM1) at the naval training centre (MOS) in Bremerhaven.

The order covers the regeneration of the “VT-MOS2”, “TVT” and “TacFloor3” tactical trainers last used in the TMZ4. A new reference system and a new software development environment will additionally be supplied for the simulators.

After more than ten years of almost unmodified operation, the IT infrastructure has become outdated and is no longer sustainable. As a result, the regeneration of the simulators is scheduled to be completed by August 2018.

Thales said that with the regenerated trainer systems, the tactical naval centre will also have the future capability to maintain the training of navy operators. In addition, the capability to participate in networked simulation exercises on a national and international scale will be increased for the simulators.

Within the modernised system, the tactical data exchange between the simulated and real participants will be taking place place via Link 11, 16 and 22.

Thomas Schwonke, Director of Above Water Systems at Thales in Germany: “We are pleased that with the modernisation of the trainers at TZM we are able to continue serving our national Navy and thus gain a valuable international reference.”

Brunhilde Henze, project manager at BAAINBw S6.3 in Wilhelmshaven, explained: “With this project we solve the deterioration problems of existing systems and increase the capabilities of the tactical naval centre by participating in national and international simulated training and mission preparations.”

The naval training centre in Bremerhaven, Germany, which is also used by foreign navies, provides training for operational tasks on board of ships and boats. Courses in navigation, electronic combat, signalling and general operations are held. The range of tasks covers simple radars through to complex planning exercises in cooperation with naval headquarters.