New Zealand Army selects BISim’s VBS4 simulation software for tactical command and control training

In Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality News

Jun 29, 2022 – Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, Inc. and provider of immersive training and simulation software products and components for military applications, has recently announced that the New Zealand Army has chosen the company’s VBS4 simulation software for tactical command and control training. 

VBS4 provides a comprehensive virtual desktop training environment with whole-earth rendering for tactical training, experimentation, and mission rehearsal. The software performs as a simulation host for any image generator and supports a wide range of individual, team, and collective activities up to the battlegroup level, according to BISim.

In addition to desktop configurations, VBS4 has “off-the-shelf” integration with virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, including the Varjo XR-3, and other commercial off-the-shelf/military off-the-shelf (COTS/MOTS) hardware (such as armored fighting vehicle weapons controllers).

BISim stated that the solution will provide the New Zealand army with a common simulation software that can be reused in a wide variety of training systems and different levels of physical fidelity, which can ultimately help to reduce the total cost of ownership to the enterprise.

According to BISim, the New Zealand Army is the latest to join a growing list of military customers around the world that utilize the VBS4 solution, including more than 60 NATO and NATO-friendly countries, and over 300 integrators/prime contractors. The company added that the New Zealand Army has also been a long term user of Terratools, BISim’s virtual terrain generation software, which has been used to build a number of detailed tactical maps of the Army’s training areas.

“BISim has proudly served the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for over 15 years and looks forward to continuing to provide software, support, product training, and development services through local subsidiary Bohemia Interactive Australia (BIA),” said Ryan Stephenson, Managing Director of Bohemia Interactive Australia.

For more information on Bohemia Interactive Solutions and its immersive training environments, please visit the company’s website.

Image credit: BISim

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Sam Sprigg

Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.