Saab has been awarded a multi-year contract for the next generation of laser-based training systems for U.S. Army’s armored combat vehicles. The order value is $ 17.2 million.

The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract consists of this order and options that can be exercised over a time period of five years with a potential value of $ 90 million.

Saab’s commercial off the shelf training system was selected after an extensive week long field evaluation at the Arizona Yuma Proving Grounds desert test site. The Combat Vehicle Tactical Engagement Simulation System (CVTESS) is a soldier-friendly wireless training device that is easily installed and maintained. CVTESS will provide a highly accurate laser based replication of the combat vehicles’ weapons which will be used initially on all variants of the M-1 Abram’s Tank and M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

The first Saab laser based simulators for the Abram tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV) were provided in 1988 for vehicle test bed testing as the armored vehicle were introduced. Saab fielded and continue to support the precision gunnery simulators for these vehicles with over 3,000 systems fielded since 1995. The new Combat Vehicle Tactical Engagement Simulator System (CVTESS) will replace most of these simulators still being used after fifteen years.

Saab Training USA, based in Orlando, FL, has supported the U.S. Armed Forces and Homeland Defense with range systems and military training products for more than thirty years. Lars Borgwing, President of Saab Training USA, said this new generation of simulators are designed to connect seamlessly with the modern instrumented training sites.

“We are currently fielding instrumentation systems at the Army homestations,” Lars Borgwing said. “This system will enhance the training realism for the mounted soldiers immediately as the Army makes the shift into Unified Land Operations while supporting the Army Force Generation Model (ARFORGEN) as troops return from current combat operations.”Saab North America provides a broad range of products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to homeland security to customers in the U.S. and Canada.