JTAC Training

Nautilus International Risk Consultants, based in Poole, Dorset, UK, has successfully had its deployable Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) simulator accredited  by the UK JALO (Joint Air Land Organisation) and FACSTANEVAL (Forward Air Controller Standards and Evaluation) to the following standards: Type 2 Controls, Type 3 Controls, Day, Night, FMV, Laser, and Joint Fires Coordination. 

Using the deployable, highly portable Nautilus COBRA JTAC screen, VBS3 and VBS3Fires FST software, Nautilus are providing a new, unrivalled capability in the UK. 

“VBS3 and VBS3Fires FST allow Nautilus to provide JTACs with a high fidelity and very realistic geo-specific terrain, coupled with a large database of content that allows demanding scenarios to be produced,” said Matthew Jones, C4ISTAR Manager, Nautilus International Risk Consultants. “All training, be it JTAC, ISR or Mission Planning and Mission Rehearsal, uses VBS3 software, as it enables the trainers to quickly adapt even the most dynamic scenarios for UK MoD.”

Using Form, Fit and Function emulated JTAC equipment, such as the LF28 LTD, PLRF25, IZLID Ultra and Harris Communications 7800HH radios with 7800T downlink receivers, the system can be fully set up and ready for use within 2 hours. All of the JTAC simulation scenarios and terrain are based on real world locations, both in the UK and overseas. This allows the qualified JTAC to train in a realistic and demanding, simulated environment.

Nautilus has worked with suppliers Cobra Simulation, Bohemia Interactive Simulations, SimCentric, Virtual Simulation Systems and Harris Communication Systems, to provide this very unique capability to JTACs in the UK. This will allow JTAC training to be conducted in almost any location and will enable re-qualification, maintain JTAC skill sets, and, ultimately, significantly reduce training overheads.

“When conducting JTAC training, we always aim to make each scenario as demanding as possible, which enables the JTAC to go through his 12 phases of CAS in a controlled, simulated environment. It is important that the scenarios are realistic, based on real world locations and the ability to use either the JTAC’s own equipment, or the form, fit function equipment that we provide,” said Jones. “With the use of operationally current pilots, it is a great opportunity for one-on-one feedback to the JTACs and also good for the pilots to see the JTACs going through their own training. As an ex JTAC, I can fully understand what they are wanting to achieve and the complexities of identifying the correct targets to prosecute, especially in a very complex 3 dimensional battlespace, inherently in close contact with the enemy.”

Nautilus provides simulated JTAC training support to a large number of UK MoD JTACs and recently supported the UK JTAC Concentration at RAF Honington, which involved JTACs from the UK, US and Canada. The company has also provided JTAC simulation training to the Bahrain Royal Guard JTACs.

Users of the system have said the following about Nautilus training: 

“The JTAC training that we received from Nautilus, fully tested me and I became instantly immersed in the scenario. I was able to use equipment that I would carry on exercises and operationally, which made the training more realistic.”

“‘I was able to have simulated ROZ, with multiple aircraft, from ISR, Fast Jets and rotary, which we don’t often get in training. This enabled me to work the stack in a safe and controlled way.” 

Learn more at their website, http://www.nautilus-intl.co.uk/.