Inzpire Limited has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to develop a prototype mixed reality deployable simulator. Over the next 9 months, the project – named SAGE (Synthetic Aviation Gunnery Equipment) by the company – will see Inzpire personnel working collaboratively with 22 Squadron Crew Served Weapons Instructors (CSWIs) and DASA personnel to deliver an air door gunnery simulator.
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Inzpire will use their existing simulation and training expertise to develop a prototype mixed reality deployable simulator using capabilities honed from the company’s development of their JTAC CASE products. (Picture source: Inzpire)

Project SAGE will encompass the design, build, test, evaluation and development of the prototype, in order to support 22 Sqn’s requirement for a live training alternative to deliver Joint Helicopter Command’s (JHC) Operational Shooting Policy (OSP). In a truly collaborative project, Inzpire’s experts will be designing the simulator to support specific training objectives defined by 22 Squadron CSWIs.

To ensure the project is supported by personnel with both practical and technical experience in the design, development and delivery of synthetic training products and exercise scenarios, experts from Inzpire’s Mission Training Devices Division and Helicopter Services Division will be involved. Royal Air Force personnel from 22 Squadron will also provide advice and support throughout the test and evaluation phases and be directly involved in trialing the product.

The Project SAGE team will undertake an initial design period, followed by a build, test and acceptance phase before a series of tests, demonstrations and system development. Each phase will last approximately three months. The Project SAGE simulator will demonstrate how commercial mixed reality technology can be used to deliver a deployable and cost-effective system, capable of rapid modification between different helicopter platforms and weapon types. It is hoped the simulator development will identify opportunities for utilising synthetic training in the future for JHC personnel across multiple platforms and weapons systems.

Steven Pook, Head of Mission Training Devices Division at Inzpire said: “Project SAGE provides a superb opportunity to work collaboratively with our DASA and JHC partners in exploring innovative solutions to support operational training in synthetic environments.

Inzpire personnel will bring their wealth of technical and operational experience to explore the potential of mixed reality technology and innovative weapons simulation to deliver deployable currency and competency synthetic training to JHC crews wherever they may be.”

Jonny Priest, Inzpire Director of Operations, said: “Inzpire has always been committed to a development concept that sees products and services designed by users for users. This contract is another fantastic opportunity to work with the customer to create a revolutionary way of conducting this essential training at their base or on deployed operations.”

An RAF spokesperson said: “The award of this contract will allow us to develop our aircrew training packages further, ensuring that we remain an efficient and modern Air Force fit for future operational demands across the globe.”

Inzpire’s Mission Training Devices Division

Inzpire’s Mission Training Devices Division design and deliver targeted fidelity simulator training systems which provide customer-specific yet cost-effective capability for standalone, networked and distributed training across a range of platforms. Products include JTAC and UAS Compact Agile Simulation Equipment (CASE) and the Vortex HeliSim.

In addition to the provision of innovative simulator products, Inzpire’s personnel come with an extensive pedigree in the design and delivery of complex and immersive simulator training and are also qualified in ‘train the trainer’ instruction.
As part of a complete training solution, Inzpire can provide instructors and operators to deliver the required training.

Inzpire’s Helicopter Services Division

Inzpire’s Helicopter Services Division is a training-focused team harnessing the experience of ex-UK military personnel. The division’s experts provide specialist aviation skills and expertise to both UK and overseas military customers within the rotary domain.

These skills range from elementary flying techniques through to advanced tactical skills, working collaboratively with customers to meet their unique requirements. These capabilities are delivered across live and synthetic flying training, on type-specific and generic platforms. In addition, the team also provides capability and requirements management to UK-based rotary customers.