Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, announced today that the U.S. Army has initiated a contract modification to begin deployment of Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4) as part of its ongoing Games for Training (GFT) program.
The GFT program, originally established in 2013, provides the Army with a persistent and flexible simulation capability to support mission rehearsal, tactical training, and leadership development across the Operational, Institutional, and Self-Developmental domains. BISim has been a core partner in GFT since the beginning, with the Army first fielding VBS2 in 2009, transitioning to VBS3 in 2014, and awarding BISim a five-year enterprise license contract in 2022.
“Upgrading to VBS4 allows us to take full advantage of the latest advancements in virtual training technology,” said David Perez, U.S. Army GFT program manager. “Our mission is to ensure soldiers are trained and ready for the complexities of the modern battlefield. With VBS4, we’re delivering a flexible, immersive platform that supports the Army’s push for leaner, more lethal formations and the rapid integration of emerging technologies into training.”
Used across more than 80 simulation centers, schoolhouses, and home-station training sites, the GFT program is the most widely fielded virtual training capability in the Army. VBS4 will build on that legacy, providing a low-overhead solution that supports everything from individual and squad training to mission command and staff exercises.
“Supporting the U.S. Army’s vision for modernizing its training enterprise reflects a longstanding partnership built on trust, adaptability, and a shared commitment to innovation,” said Pete Morrison, chief product officer at BISim. “This upgrade provides tools that help prepare warriors for the missions of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”
As the Army enters the third option year of its current GFT contract, the transition to VBS4 reflects the Army’s broader modernization goals. This upgrade brings an array of new capabilities to the GFT enterprise, including an enhanced graphics engine, improved networking and performance, a streamlined user interface, and access to a powerful whole-earth terrain server—enabling more realistic, scalable, and adaptable virtual training environments.
About Bohemia Interactive
Founded in 2001, Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, Inc., is a global software company at the forefront of simulation and training solutions for defense and civilian organizations.
Globally, many hundreds of thousands of military personnel are trained every year using BISim’s high-fidelity VBS software products. More than 60 NATO and NATO-friendly countries, and over 300 integrators/prime contractors use VBS technology, many making significant funding commitments to extend VBS product capabilities. BISim’s customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, the UK MOD, Canadian Armed Forces, French Army, Bundeswehr, Swedish Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, and many other major system integrators.
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