Meggitt Indirect Fire Training (IFT) system

Meggitt, a leading international company specialising in components and sub-systems for aerospace, defence and energy markets announces that Meggitt Training Systems has won an AUD$29M (USD$30.8M) contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to operate and maintain the primary small and supporting arms simulation training centres known as WTSS (Weapon Training Simulation System) facilities.

Created to train soldiers, sailors and airmen in the rules of engagement, judgment, marksmanship and indirect fire, the WTSS programme, which includes Indirect Fire Forward Air Control (I-FACT) and Indirect Fire Training (IFT) systems, is provided exclusively by Meggitt Training Systems. It builds on a decade of supply to the ADF of systems, weapons, software, courseware, systems operation, maintenance and site management. Overall, Meggitt has a significant profile in Australia, with an estimated 90% share of the market in dismounted virtual weapons training.

The operations and maintenance contract, running from July 2011 to June 2016, follows an original award in 1999. Coordinated from Meggitt’s facility in Albury, New South Wales, Meggitt Training Systems will provide operations and maintenance for 18 sites located at major troop locations in every state and territory throughout Australia. The contract will be supported by around 70 Meggitt personnel.

Ronald Vadas, President of Meggitt Training Systems commented: “This contract award reflects ten years supporting the ADF’s training vision with innovative training and simulation systems. They will continue to be backed up by our highly experienced trainers—mostly ex-service personnel—who know how to maximise the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for success on the modern battlefield.”