Saab Showcases UAV and Ground Training Capabilities at I/ITSEC 2024
At this year’s I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida, Saab demonstrated the full breadth of its ground combat training offer, as well as new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training developments.
Today’s armed forces face a multitude of threats from air, land and sea. With Saab’s state-of-the-art training products and services, the company aims to equip the armed forces of the U.S. and its allies with cutting-edge technologies that help warfighters prepare for mission success.
The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) is the world's largest modeling, simulation and training event. This year, Saab showcased its new UAV live training capability alongside its full suite of ground training capabilities. Designed as an add-on to live training tools, the UAV system utilizes Saab’s EXCON exercise control software to enhance realism in military exercises. It features sensors, simulated weapons, and a laser target system to replicate aerial threats from opposing forces or simulate operational assets.
With its ability to virtually engage participants, the UAV trainer can evaluate warfighters’ skills and tactical behavior. As covered by outlets such as Breaking Defense and Halldale, Saab’s UAV trainer is a cost-effective anti-drone module that can be added to existing training systems.
As noted by Breaking Defense, this step further establishes Saab’s anti-drone capabilities. UAV training systems are becoming more and more vital for training infantrymen as fast-moving drone attacks become more frequent in modern warfare.
“We were really thrilled to see so much interest and positive initial feedback at I/ITSEC from our customers and the media,” said Tony Viggiani, Field Service Technical Deputy, Training & Simulation for Land Systems at Saab. “Live training simulations are critical to prepare our warfighters for potential combat scenarios. Our UAV capability can help soldiers detect, engage, and protect themselves from this evolving threat.”
Joakim Alhbin, head of Saab’s business unit Training and Simulation, was quoted in the Halldale article stating : “We see the increased use of military UAVs on the battlefield. The need for a solution that makes soldiers ready to detect, engage and hide from these is crucial. Saab’s UAV live training capability has already received a huge interest from the existing live training customers. It was initially offered to the UK Armed Forces, who became our first customer using Saab’s instrumented UAV service for live training scenarios.”
In addition to its UAV live training tool, Saab also highlighted its full range of ground combat weapons training, including the AT4, Carl-Gustaf and NLAW systems. The company’s ground combat training capabilities use virtual technologies to support individual and collective training in highly realistic environments. For example, the Ground Combat Indoor Trainer enables training with Saab’s weapon systems, as well as other small arms and other weapon types.
“Our customers need agile training systems that adapt to changing technologies and combat encounters. We’re always evolving this technology, and I/ITSEC was a valuable opportunity to get input on the product from potential end-users. End-user and customer feedback is critical to how we evolve our product families, so it’s great to see so much interest in this type of add-on system,” said Brad Barnard, Vice President and General Manager of Land Systems at Saab.
This year’s I/ITSEC event was a major success and marks a milestone for Saab’s efforts to offer the most complete and effective training solutions for warfighters. By leveraging advanced technologies, Saab is poised to optimize the way military personnel prepare for combat and provide the confidence needed to effectively execute their missions.
Saab is looking forward to I/ITSEC 2025!