ITEC 2010 - Defusing the IED Threat

Defense News: LONDON, May 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is set to be a central theme of this year's ITEC conference which takes place at ExCeL in London's Docklands from 18-20 May. ITEC is Europe's premier conference and exhibition for military training, education and simulation technology and services.

Cheap, easily deployable and highly effective, IEDs may be placed by the sides of the road or in buildings and may be carried by individuals or placed in vehicles. They are responsible for some 80% of the deaths and injuries to coalition troops in Afghanistan and training our forces to deal with them is truly an urgent operational requirement.

At ITEC, trade visitors will be able to meet a range of top companies providing training in countering the IED threat, especially in relation to prediction, detection, prevention and neutralization. Exhibitors include:

    
    Lockheed Martin Simulation Training & Support specialises in
    constructive staff training and decision making systems, as well as a 
    live training product.

    b-design, Bohemia Interactive and Cogent3D all provide highly
    realistic visual databases which play a key role in synthetic training.
    Populating these databases with human figures that use Artificial
    Intelligence to behave like real life individuals or crowds is the 
    specialty of Boston Dynamics.

    Combat Training Solutions has a number of man-worn, vehicle
    and stand-alone non-pyrotechnic devices for countering IEDs that are
    inherently safe and stable. Another specialist in this area is MIL-SIM-FX
    which has a range of simulated IEDs.

    Chemring Defence offers both pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic
    based solutions. The company's IED-Simulator is used to achieve general
    training goals in urban operations awareness training, check point and 
    convoy training, ambush training and other tactical skills.

As many IED casualties occur in vehicles much effort and training time has been invested in teaching vehicle commanders and crews how to operate in areas of potential threat.

    
    Raydon Corporation and Lockheed Martin have both developed
    combat vehicle simulators for the range of new armoured and mine 
    protected vehicles now operating in Afghanistan.

    SAIC Corporation provides its Common Driver Trainer range of
    simulators.

Commenting upon the range and variety of simulation and training solutions on display, Tim Porter, Managing Director - Defence & Security, Clarion Events, said: 'Providing reliable and practical methods of helping our forces to protect themselves in conflict zones around the world is a top priority for our exhibitors'.

Contact: Jane McGirk +44(0)7515-283205, jane@mcgirkpr.com