The Finalists - MS&T Awards 2022

The Halldale Group announces the finalists for the 2022 Military Simulation & Training Awards. Now it’s your turn to help select the winners.

A panel of military S&T experts has reviewed the record 64 nominations received across eight categories from the global defense S&T community.

This year’s award categories were expanded to increase the focus on small businesses and include the inaugural Outstanding Woman in Defense Training Award.

From September 6-20, MS&T readers have the opportunity to vote and help select a winner in each of the categories.

Click here to vote now

Reader vote preferences will be combined with the judges’ ratings to determine the winners.

Winners will be published in MS&T issue 3/2022 in November and posted on the Halldale Media website - www.halldale.com

Awardees will be recognized in-person to the extent possible at the 2022 I/ITSEC conference in Orlando, Florida.

Questions or issues emerging during the voting process may be addressed to Holly Foster.

The list of finalists is published in reverse alphabetical order. In addition, a Pioneer Award winner will be selected by the judges.

Outstanding A/M/V/XR Application – Medium/Large Business

This award recognizes the innovative use of AR/MR/VR/XR technologies to develop effective and efficient training and performance support interventions. Application of A/M/V/XR spans a broad continuum ranging from education to individual and team training to individual and team performance support. Under this award’s broad banner, one medium/large business (50 or more full-time employees) will be recognized.

The three finalists (medium/large business) are:

SimCentric Technologies - SAF-TAC Suite of Products

The SAF-TAC Suite of products is transforming the way virtual training is conducted in the international military simulation domain. Designed as the world’s first “Virtual Reality First” military training synthetic environment. SAF-TAC is designed to harness the full capability afforded by VR and MR in military training. The SAF-TAC suite consists of three interrelated products: SAF-TAC, a VR or MR-focused synthetic training environment for team-based training; SAF-TAC SOLO, a VR-based capability for individual learning and skills development; and SAF-TAC FIRES. The SAF-TAC Suite treats VR as more than just a headset that can move the view with the head, but rather focuses on the contextual interaction element of VR and MR. Complementing the VR interaction sandbox enabled by this product is a full suite of training tools which one would expect with a modern virtual training system. SAF-TAC is built using the state-of-the-art Unreal Engine. While still early in its life cycle, SAF-TAC is seeing accelerated adoption by key nations and customers.

Links to supplementary information:
BBC Click review of SAF-TAC (SimCentric UE4 first-person VR Application)
Australian Army using SAF-TAC

Mass Virtual - Virtual Hangar

Mass Virtual’s Virtual Hangar, built on the MassXR platform, is a proven US Air Force extended reality (XR) enterprise training solution fielded at 52 installations across the globe. Built with commercial-off-the-shelf development tools, Virtual Hanger is a cloud-based, customizable, rapidly deployable, and sustainable application used to train airmen in a variety of military occupational specialties, including maintainers, aviators, first responders, and logisticians, to name a few. It reduces aircraft downtime for training by 45%, classroom training by 60%, and increases student retention by 35%, according to a review conducted by the Air Force Integrated Technology Platform (ITP) office. Virtual Hangar functions as a sandbox, providing the Air Force with a variety of new capabilities for training airmen.

Links to supplementary information:
www.Itp-usaf.org
 massvirtual.com/virtual-hangar/ 
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIXYjs3fb98&t=6s&ab_channel=MassVirtual 

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions - Mixed Reality (MR) Mission Readiness Training (MRT) system

The Mixed Reality (MR) Mission Readiness Training (MRT) system developed by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has nearly doubled combat mission rates for Helicopter Crews at the US Air Force Global Strike Command. Operational since October 2020, MRT is a complete turn-key solution that enables aircrew students to train in an actual aircraft equipped with simulated weapons [Kratos’ UH-1 Multi-Position Aircrew Virtual Environment Trainer (MP-AVET)]. Enclosed in a Kratos mixed-reality “holodeck,” a fully immersive MR environment, the entire aircrew can simultaneously train in MP-AVET’s blended virtual and real environments. An accompanying Kratos MR Ground Party Simulator (GPS) is networked with the MP-AVET, allowing Security Forces to seamlessly join the collective training mission and train with their aircrews just as they would engage with them in a real combat situation. The system’s visual database is a game-based virtual environment that can display the entire planet’s landscape down to one square meter. Automated forces can be generated on the fly with the ability to edit everyone’s health and training levels, as well as creating a realistic virtual opposing force of potential enemies these warfighters may experience during real world operations.

Link to supplementary information:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jirmBFZiBc

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Outstanding A/M/V/XR Application – Small Business

This award recognizes the innovative use of A/M/V/XR technologies to develop effective and efficient training and performance support interventions. Application of AR/MR/VR/XR spans a broad continuum ranging from education to individual and team training to individual and team performance support. Under this Award’s broad banner, one small business (a non-subsidiary, independent firm with fewer than 50 full-time employees) will be recognized.

The three finalists (small business) are:

VRAI - ReACT platform - armor crew VR simulation solution

Kongsberg produce the PROTECTOR RS4, the world’s most-fielded Remote Weapon System (RWS) with more than 20,000 units in use by customers around the globe. One of Kongsberg’s RWS customers, the Irish Defence Forces, approached them with a challenge - to transform how they deliver training. This transformation needed to focus on removing bottlenecks with key resources such as armor platforms, weapons systems and instructors. VRAI delivered a full service, armor crew virtual-reality simulation solution based on the company’s ReACT platform. This delivers a full-capability simulation solution to the end customer, including software, hardware, expert instructor support for training design, as well as maintenance on the system. The simulation solution is based on a Mowag 8x8 armored vehicle fleet, with an infantry and cavalry variant, with a Kongsberg RS4 RWS & Dual-RWS. This crew-based armor simulator uses cutting-edge VR technology to recreate both domestic and overseas operational environments, incorporating a fully functional, high-fidelity virtual fire control unit and surveillance suite. The virtual world is complemented by a physical human machine interface. The underlying ReACT armor crew sim also provides the end user with individual trainee profiles to track performance over time, data-driven insights to improve performance, as well as advanced After Action Review capability. Using the ReACT platform, the entire simulator was created in approximately four months. The initial deployment of the product is VR/MR.

Link to supplementary information:
 vraisimulation.com

Eduworks Corporation - Observational Motivation and Engagement Generalized Appliance (OMEGA)

Observational Motivation and Engagement Generalized Appliance (OMEGA) may not sound like an A/M/V/XR application; nonetheless, it is a novel approach that enhances the value of AR/MR/VR/XR training by automatically generating engagement metrics. Student engagement is a key factor in learning outcomes but is difficult to directly observe and measure in many training settings, including A/M/V/XR simulation. Training using XR is gaining broad adoption across DoD, including the US Air Force’s new approach to Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training called Pilot Training Transformation (PTT), which integrates traditional flying sorties with VR-enabled ground-based training devices to accelerate training and improve readiness. To provide automated metrics and other capabilities, and to specifically support the Air Force PTT program, Eduworks partnered with USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies to develop OMEGA, a machine learning (ML)-enabled application to measure student engagement during any computer-mediated training (XR simulation, courseware) and offer recommendations for restoring lapses in engagement. We demonstrated OMEGA, supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory, in a PTT context – running pilots through multiple PTT scenarios.

Link to supplementary information:
 drive.google.com/file/d/150LolKDKaonlE6NqPJ6xGlybE0ueUgsV/view?usp=sharing 

Dynepic - MOTAR (Member, Operations, Training, Analytics, Reports)

Dynepic’s commercial DX platform, white-labeled for the United States Air Force as MOTAR (Member Operations Training Analysis Reports) under SBIR Phase III, powers an open ecosystem to meet time-critical Multi-Capable Airman training requirements and deliver innovative XR training technologies at “the speed of need.” A key piece that makes MOTAR a leader in XR education and training: known as the “Platform of Platforms,” MOTAR facilitates a common training ecosystem and can host or link to other platforms via our robust Application Programming Interfaces and Software Development Kits. Today, Dynepic is proud to host companies like HTX Labs, Eon Reality, BUNDLAR, and many other industry-leading XR apps. And MOTAR brings together the best training technologies [AR, VR, Artificial Intelligence, etc.] in a secure device- and vendor-agnostic ecosystem to provide seamless access to multi-vendor content and power training with a single, Common Access Card-enabled login and a consolidated learning dashboard. MOTAR is a full-service, XR-optimized Learning Content Management System.

Links to supplementary information:
www.airforcemag.com/article/augmented-reality-goes-mainstream/
taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-virtual-reality-training/

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Outstanding Innovative Product – Medium/Large Business

This award recognizes innovative products that provide enhanced value to the military client’s education, training or human performance domains. Under this award’s broad banner, one medium/large business (50 or more full-time employees) will be recognized. The category includes, but is not limited to products such as:

The three finalists (medium/large business) are:

Epic Games - Unreal Engine 5

Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) is the most recent version of Epic Games’ game engine, released in early 2022. This free development platform enables developers and creators globally to realize next-generation real-time 3D content and experiences with greater freedom, fidelity, and flexibility. The platform, originally known for its application in gaming, being the development platform used in the creation of 53% of currently announced next-gen games, Unreal has also proven to be successful for simulation and training applications as well, as it offers the ability to quickly incorporate real-world scenarios into actionable training environments in days. As the only major game-engine that offers freely accessible source-code, organizations can develop simulated worlds with ease. Unreal Engine 5 is bringing an unprecedented level of innovation by enabling users to reconcile data accuracy, photorealism and real time applications. UE5 is a revolution for the simulation industry, as many of the features introduced in this release are meant to empower all simulation creators to build innovative solutions faster by leveraging the engine at the core of their solutions.

Link to supplementary information:
www.unrealengine.com/en-US/unreal-engine-5

CAE - VISTA (Virtual ISR Training Application)

CAE VISTA (Virtual ISR Training Application) is a scalable, highly cost-effective solution that enables C4ISR professionals and other command-and-control operators to conduct targeted training, mission rehearsal, and short-notice assessment of proposed operational plans. The entire Task/Collect/Process/Exploit/Disseminate (TCPED) and Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) ISR training audience can create their own scenarios, train to their specific individual or team training objectives, connect with other virtual training systems (air, space, ground, maritime, or cyber), and dramatically increase the flexibility, fidelity, and capacity or their on-the-job and exercise training. CAE investment in developing high-fidelity ISR sensor simulation capability as part of aircraft tactical flight and mission training has enabled the integration of high-fidelity sensor simulation models into mission simulation. Drawing upon both internally developed and commercially available tools, the physics-based virtual environment for tactical training events and the joint/coalition forces and targets that could be represented in simulations were developed. CAE VISTA incorporates a faster-than-real-time M&S capability that enables theater-wide mission level M&S from the seafloor to space in a Multiple Level Security environment.

Link to supplementary information:
 www.cae.com/defense-security/what-we-do/training-systems/virtual-intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance-training-application-vista 

Booz Allen Hamilton - Tyndall Digital Twin Project

The Tyndall Digital Twin is a 1:1 virtual replica of Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB), its infrastructure, landscape, systems, and processes. The Tyndall Digital Twin is

connected and twinned to the real world through internet of things (IoT) sensor feeds, authoritative data sources, and live building information models (BIM). Critical infrastructure, such as military installations, underpin warfighter safety and mission continuity, and must apply the state-of-the art in digital solutions, artificial intelligence, and engineering across the lifecycle - design, construction, maintenance, and operations. The Digital Twin is a massive, interconnected, systems-of-systems covering 6.63 sq.mi. along 10.23 miles of coastline, with over 6.3M sq.ft. of facilities. Replicating Tyndall AFB in the digital world leveraged pioneering techniques in remote sensing technologies, such as drone-mounted and hand-held photogrammetry and LiDAR to recreate engineering-grade infrastructure models. These capabilities are essential to capturing legacy structures to ensure an accurate “as-is state” for the Digital Twin. Unity game engine and Unity Reflect enabled the Tyndall Digital Twin to seamlessly import complex engineering models and make them easily explorable in augmented and virtual reality.

Link to supplementary information:
 www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2971380/tyndall-afbs-hololab-debuts-virtual-gateway-to-installation-of-the-future/ 

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Outstanding Innovative Product – Small Business

This award recognizes innovative products that provide enhanced value to the military client’s education, training or human performance domains. Under this Award’s broad banner, one small business (a non-subsidiary, independent firm with fewer than 50 full-time employees) will be recognized. The category includes, but is not limited to products such as:

The three finalists (small business) are:

ZedaSoft - MiLToC role player software

The United States Air Force Academy opened its Multi-Doman Laboratory (MDL) in September 2021 with the mission to provide an immersive and scalable learning environment in order to furnish future Air and Space Force leaders with a unique and lasting experience in the fundamentals of contemporary warfare and the employment of multi-domain effects in a dynamic joint landscape. As part of the MDL requirements, USAFA challenged ZedaSoft to improve and customize the company’s MiLToC role player software product to provide its cadets with a dynamic assignment capability for air and ground assets. MiLToC software dynamically assigns roles from the constructive entity generator that spring to life in seconds as live fly virtual simulations and allows users to transfer entities from constructive simulations like ASCOT and others to ZedaSoft’s virtual Zuse cockpit simulation. This near-instantaneous transfer puts the cadet in full control of the entity, thereby increasing the realism of the adversary or wingman role in training scenarios. With the addition of the new “Performance on Demand” feature, the performance of the MiLToC entity is more realistically based on parametric data queried from the customer’s database at the time of transfer.

Links to supplementary information:
KRDO Coverage 
 www.usafa.edu/academy-expands-capabilities-capacity-with-multi-domain-lab/ 
www.zedasoft.com/product/miltoc/

Conflict Kinetics Corporation - Synthetic Marksmanship Training Systems (SMTS), aka the Gunfighter Gym

Conflict Kinetics is an industry innovator in human performance optimization – specializing in small arms simulation and featuring in-depth data collection capabilities for the life of the trainee via our Holistic Human Dashboard (HHD). CK’s Synthetic Marksmanship Training Systems (SMTS), aka the Gunfighter Gym (GFG), has proven past performance as a unique solution provider for building individual, team, and larger unit-level capability in lethality, survivability, readiness, decision-making under stress, and situational awareness. Due to CK’s approach to combat marksmanship training, which replicates the physical, ocular and cognitive challenges of combat, the Marine Corps directed Marine Corps Operational Test & Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA), an echelon 1 testing and evaluation authority, to validate the effectiveness of CK’s GFG. MCOTEA key highlights: CK Group finished 116% more lethal than Advanced live-fire group; CK Group emerged ahead of the other groups approximately 96% of the time; CK training is six times more efficient than Live-Fire Training; CK ASALT is a Viable Substitute for Live-Fire Training; and CK Group handled more cognitive load and had better emotional modulation.

Link to supplementary information:
 conflictkinetics.com/synthetic-marksmanship-training-systems.html 

Cervus - XCALIBR

XCALIBR’s innovative data capture, analysis and feedback system unlocks significant performance improvements by seamlessly connecting any/all firearms training (dry drills; blank firing; Airsoft; Simunition; static ranges; live firing tactical training, etc.) into a single measurable performance continuum. This “evolve to open” approach extends in-service capabilities, integrates novel systems, and exploits the untapped data they generate. It is a minimally invasive system that, for low physical burden (a mobile phone - three days battery life, wearables, small weapons sensor and exiting targetry - >400g [.8lb]), provides warfighters and trainers with real-time feedback on their live firing performance. It integrates a range of data inputs from weapon and target effects into a central data store, enabling individual and collective feedback. Feedback is provided by the mobile device. It uses commercial or private LTE (long-term evolution) networks to transfer all data but will self-buffer when near the base station if no LTE signal is available. All data is stored for subsequent detailed analysis and can be used for training management and capability development. The system is in development with the UK’s Army and Royal Marines. It is being assessed by the USMC in October 2022 and is entered into US Army Expeditionary Warfare Experiment 23.

Link to supplementary information:
 cervus.ai/products-services/xcalibr-marksmanship-analytics/ 

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Outstanding Serious Game for Learning – Medium/Large Business

This award recognizes the innovative use of serious gaming technologies to develop effective and efficient education and training and performance support interventions. The purpose of this award is to showcase success stories and acknowledge excellence for medium/large business (50 or more full-time employees) – and recognizing the top company in the category.

The two finalists (medium/large business) are:

Hadean

Hadean has developed a ground-up, patented, distributed computing platform that enables scalability, security and interoperability, driving the metaverse and digital immersive experiences for enterprise, commercial, gaming and defense. Hadean has worked with numerous public and private sector organizations, ranging from BAE Systems to CAE to the UK MoD to launch next-gen groundbreaking solutions to these industries. Hadean’s distributed computing platform provides the foundation to single synthetic environment (SSE) technology for defense customers and industry system integrators. It breaks existing boundaries of performance at scale, which enables customers to deliver the next generation of complex, realistic, high fidelity and multi-layered, multi-disciplinary SSE simulations for wargaming, collective training, situational awareness scenarios, analytics and decision-support modelling. A patented spatial engine ensures off-the-shelf scalability, security and an open architecture model that drives interoperability as a core concept. Customers can, among other outcomes, build complex, realistic, high-fidelity simulation of real-life scenarios. These true digital-twin ‘pattern of life’ (i.e., county/city level simulation) simulations allow multi-domain defense functions (i.e., air, land, maritime, space and cyber) to deliver a coherent gaming-like synthetic training experience of the highest fidelity required to optimize training and force preparation, while optimizing the operational effectiveness.

Link to supplementary information:
 hadean.com

Cubic Mission & Performance Solutions

Cubic Mission & Performance Solutions’ Total Learning Platform (TLP) utilizes a uniform and scalable common baseline; the extensibility and reusability of digital content and components enable an enterprise-level approach to training. Creating an ability to deliver solutions to the warfighter in a reduced time by “building it once and using many times” is just one strength of the common baseline approach. Having an ability to repurpose digital content not just for Immersive Virtual Training (IVT) and Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) deliveries, but to also repurpose for multiple platforms that share common subsystems is a very powerful byproduct of the common baseline that is being leveraged today: TLP provides IVT content for programs, including Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Immersive Virtual Ship Environment (IVSE); LCS Mission Bay Trainer; and Surface Training Immersive Gaming and Simulations (STIGS) - one of the key pillars under the US Navy’s Surface Training Advanced Virtual Environment (STAVE) program. A more recent approach is repurposing digital content for ship classes whose subsystems share a great deal of commonality with content that was created for LCS, including the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Multi-Mission Surface Combatant. In the US, the Transit Protection Training System (TPTS) will leverage the STIGS TLP for new navigational immersive environments to support US Coast Guard STAVE trainers.

Link to supplementary information:
 www.cubic.com/solutions/training/maritime/total-learning-platform 

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Outstanding Serious Game for Learning – Small Business

This award recognizes the innovative use of serious gaming technologies to develop effective and efficient education and training and performance support interventions. The purpose of this award is to showcase success stories and acknowledge excellence for small businesses (a non-subsidiary, independent firm with fewer than 50 full-time employees) – and recognizing the top company.

One small company finalist submitted for affirmation:

Radius Tech Defence Services Ltd.

Women In Command: Hybrid Threats Rising (WiCHTR) is a first-of-its-kind serious board game that combines military and humanitarian training along with equity, diversity, and inclusion elements. WiCHTR represents a novel approach both to gaming and empowering women. The game introduces the target audience to hybrid warfare (4th Generation warfare) and various decision-making mechanisms of modern warfare. Through two players (RED-BLUE) the game simulates socio-economic, military, and humanitarian consequences with event cards and guides the players through cyber-attacks, psy-ops, anti-terror operations, multi-domain and ISR capabilities, warfare at urban and regional level, etc. WiCHTR presents concepts of strategic communication, influence operations, cyber warfare, multi-domain operations, and urban warfare and introduces them to the players. The players have to be particularly attentive to decision-making, planning, source and action management. The humanitarian aspect was also included to raise awareness and train on the issue of refugees, internally displaced persons and civilian unrest. International and national diplomacy dynamics are included in the game where players can maintain a prestige rate, apply sanctions, and cooperate with international organizations. The game uses the 6D gamification and serious gaming technology framework. Most importantly, it uses mathematical models and forecasting algorithms to create its own models.

Link to supplementary information:
 www.314radius.com/defence

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Small Business of the Year

This award recognizes exemplary small businesses in the military S&T domain. Our definition of a small business is “a non-subsidiary, independent firm that employs fewer than 50 employees.” An exemplary small business leverages human capital, innovation and agility to grow and meet client needs, while cultivating a growing technical and social influence in the community.

The three finalists are:

Ryan Aerospace

Ryan Aerospace began when founder Chris Ryan took a helicopter lesson and found it much harder to fly than a fixed-wing aircraft. He asked the instructor if there was a low-cost helicopter simulator he could train on to develop the motor-skills. The instructor said "no, but someone should invent that." So, Chris did. At his next lesson, he was able to hover, land and take off. The instructor couldn’t believe it and suggested that Chris make a commercial version. So, he again did. His first customer was the UK Royal Air Force. RA has grown significantly in the last few years. Prior to a 2018 US Army contract, RA had attended nearly 50 overseas trade shows and was selling just three to five simulators annually. In 2019, we sold around 50 simulators. In 2020, RA sold approximately 100 simulators. In 2021 (and so far into 2022) RA sold around 200 simulators, showing year-on-year growth in the last three years of around 100%. While RA’s main products leverage the benefits of new virtual reality and mixed reality technologies, the company also has products that use more traditional out-the-window visuals such as screens or multi-projector domes (such as our 206 simulators in Saudi Arabia).

Link to supplementary information:
 www.ryanaerospace.com.au

HTX Labs

HTX Labs is a Houston-based commercial software company (35 employees), founded in 2017, on a mission to accelerate the future of learning, delivering XR technology and high-fidelity immersive learning tools to elevate the level of proficiency and preparedness of our next-generation workforce. HTX Labs designed and developed EMPACT, an Immersive Learning Platform, to address the challenges of bringing immersive technologies like augmented, virtual, and mixed reality, collectively referred to as extended reality or XR, to the US DoD and to enterprise customers. EMPACT enables users to rapidly create, learn, and measure cost-effective, secure, and centralized immersive training programs all within high-fidelity, engaging virtual environments. EMPACT’s capabilities allow users to quickly deliver critical training to the point of need. Our core value proposition is to provide the necessary digital infrastructure for workplaces to create, scale, and sustain hyper-realistic, job-specific immersive learning programs efficiently, and deliver these solutions through a rich set of platform modules, low/no-code content tools, and robust data visualization and analytics. HTX Labs’ revenue has consistently and strongly grown for the past 2 years, with year-over-year revenue growth at 164% in 2021, and projected at 80% in 2022 (with significant reinvestment into EMPACT product).

Link to supplementary information:
 www.htxlabs.com

Conflict Kinetics Corporation

Founded in 2006 by President, Brian Stanley, Conflict Kinetics is known as the industry innovator in human performance optimization – specializing in small arms simulation and featuring in-depth data collection for the life of the trainee via our Holistic Human Dashboard (HHD). CK holds five patents and three pending in the methods and processes of optimizing a human being, rooted in decades of pro-sports human performance techniques/trade secrets. We have proven past performance as a unique solution provider for building individual, team and larger unit level capability in lethality, survivability, decision-making under stress and situational awareness for DoD and federal agencies. CK’s approach to simulation is a radical departure from traditional small arms simulation systems. Brian Stanley, former pro-baseball player from a major league baseball family, identified a direct connection between the pro-sports approach to improving athlete and team performance, and the military’s approach to improving individual and unit performance. Like pro-sports, CK’s methods emphasize ocular capability, reaction time, precision under stress, decision-making and are scientifically based, results-driven, and progressive in scope and difficulty. Thus, CK adapted the science of pro-sports methods to marksmanship – from beginner to expert level and developed award-winning electronic training platforms delivered via Synthetic Marksmanship Training Systems (SMTS), aka the Gunfighter Gym.

Link to supplementary information:
 http://conflictkinetics.com 

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NEW IN ’22! Outstanding Woman in Defense Training

The defense S&T community (industry and academia) plays an essential role in supporting military commanders’ development and maintenance of capability and readiness. Within the community there are individuals who have demonstrated, and continue to demonstrate, outstanding and significant technical, professional and social leadership. This inaugural award recognizes the woman who has emerged from a very competitive group of female professionals from around the globe that continues to make their mark on advancing the S&T defense training enterprise – in war and peace.

The three finalists are:

Emily Smits, Co-Founder and CEO, Modest Tree

Since co-founding Modest Tree in Halifax, Canada (2011), Emily Smits has dedicated her career to changing how defense agencies, and the OEMs that serve defense, leverage innovative immersive training and immersive maintenance technologies to support their digital transformation goals. Emily Smits is the CEO at Modest Tree, which delivers immersive, virtual, and fully integrated digital products and services in response to some of the most complex issues faced by industries worldwide. Emily is a well-respected thought leader in immersive enterprise solutions and has worked with global manufacturers in aerospace, defense, and automotive unleashing new business models for training, digital twins, and digital in-service support. Emily leads the strategy of Modest Tree, and has guided the company through its continued growth and entrance into global markets. Emily has worked with leading organizations to transform operations through immersive technology that allows enterprise to contextualize data, train staff, and inform decision making the use of virtual and augmented reality. Emily holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University and is a designated accountant (CPA-CMA) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Link to supplementary information:
 www.modesttree.com

Dolly Oberoi, Founder and CEO, C² Technologies (C²TI)

Dolly Oberoi’s knowledge of and experience within the simulation and training industry spans more than 32 years. After graduating from Harvard University with her master’s degree, she founded C² Technologies, an international women/minority-owned recognized leader in education, immersive learning (AR/VR/XR, Digital Twin Metaverse), LVC, MODSIM, aviation training, and digital transformation. As its CEO and founder, Oberoi is responsible for the overall management and growth of the company. Her experience and dedication in helping organizations transition from the traditional classroom learning to electronic learning environments and to providing transformative company-wide training and talent management solutions are what make her an innovative thought leader in the S&T space. In addition, her expertise, thought leadership, drive for innovative solutions, integrity, loyalty, and dedication are respected and admired among her customers and colleagues. C²TI serves Fortune 500 companies, as well as public and private sectors globally including aviation, defense, national security, commercial, healthcare, and higher education while supporting a talented workforce of over 500 team members in more than 44 locations. She is published and a frequent speaker at professional development organizations, media outlets, international conferences such as I/ITSEC, iFEST, ATD, ISPI, NATO’s Training Conference, and more. Her contributions have made her a recognized leader within the industry, with an excellent reputation as an immersive learning solutions provider.

Link to supplementary information:
 www.c2ti.com

Angela Alban, CEO, Principal Investigator, Simetri

Angela Alban has been and is a strong leader in the MS&T industry since starting her business in 2009. Thriving under her leadership, her business has enjoyed consistent organizational growth while substantially increasing revenues. Her company doubled its revenues in 2019 over 2018, grew again by 15% in 2020, by 56% in 2021, and with over 15% projected growth for 2022. Her responsibilities as CEO include being the visionary for her business as well as building and leading the Simetri team. Angela’s sense of commitment to family, her business, and the community set her apart as a leader in the MS&T industry. She serves on numerous not-for-profit boards in the MS&T community as well as the business community at large. She is sought after by important organizations, like the University of Central Florida, to serve on their boards and elevate educational offerings. She previously served on the State of Florida’s Emergency Medical Services Council by the State of Florida Surgeon General, and was requested to testify before the US Congress about the Small Business Innovative Research program. She is an expert in MS&T, in Medical/Healthcare simulation, in technology, and as a business leader in MS&T – in and beyond Orlando.

Link to supplementary information:
 simetri.us/about-simetri

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