Oshkosh Corp.’s [OSK] Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles (OSV), and FAAC Incorporated of Ann Arbor, Mich., yesterday announced they have received an $6.8 million order for 13 Common Driver Trainer (CDT) mobile trainer facilities from SAIC [SAI] for the Army PEO Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) group.
The simulators will train students on how to operate Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP) through the practice of critical driving skills in a controlled environment.
“Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles and our teammate, FAAC, are very proud to provide equipment that allows exhaustive driver training without endangering lives,” Tony Ellis, OSV general manager and vice president of finance, said in an April 20 statement. “These simulators are a far more effective and less expensive methodology for teaching the essential skill sets required to operate this vitally relevant vehicle. This is a growing market and one in which we and FAAC take pride in playing an important role.”
OSV manufactures a systems-ready, mobile training environment and the CDT simulator is installed by FAAC at its facilities in Ann Arbor. The 48-foot long enclosure is engineered with twin pop-out extensions to allow for a larger training arena and a more realistic teaching experience.
For the student, the CDT training station simulates the fit and feel of the MRAP vehicle environment, and is built on a full motion base that rotates in all axes to simulate real-world driving conditions. The operator sees a display screen with a realistically depicted virtual world that simulates a variety of on and off-road terrains, obstacles and other challenges.
The front of each unit features storage space and racks for on-board computer systems, hardware and wiring. A rear module contains a control room for an instructor who inputs data into the simulator and who conducts and monitors training scenarios and assesses student performance. The control room is configured to accommodate an observer, as well as the instructor.