Battlelab bootcamp

have demonstrated the second generation battlelab (pictured below) of their Battlespace Transformation Capability (BTC) project for managing and making best use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

In an industry first, the battlelab at Thales’ Manor Royal site, Crawley, has been used by UK forces, providing training in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems and mission rehearsals. UAV specialists and commanders from Three Commando and 12 Mechanised Brigade were prepared for action in Afghanistan by presenting them with realistic simulations of the terrain and situations they may find themselves in.

Simulations were run to allow them to experience the full range of systems, training which is not available in the UK with UAVs due to airspace restrictions. The simulations also allowed commanders to manage information coming from the ISTAR systems and were designed to represent ‘everything but the heat’ in the theater of war.