An Army Brigade Drives the Transformation of Simulation Training Systems from 'Single Platform' to 'Integrated System'

An Army Brigade Drives the Transformation of Simulation Training Systems from 'Single Platform' to 'Integrated System'——

Coordinated Combat Ignites on the 'Cloud Training Ground'

■ Peng Gang, PLA Daily Special Correspondents Tong Kang and Chen Jiawei

In early summer, inside a simulation training room of an Army brigade, a coordinated confrontation exercise was underway: artillery sub-units delivered fire strikes against the "enemy," air defense sub-units intensified air surveillance, and assault vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles alternated in providing cover while conducting mobile strikes against the target area. Aided by the simulation training system, all participating combat elements maintained close coordination throughout, shared battlefield information, and successfully completed the designated combat mission.

"Driven by combat missions, we are pushing the simulation training system to transform from 'single platform' to 'integrated system,' shifting the primary training content from individual equipment-operation skills toward the integration of technical and tactical skills, and shifting the mode of use from independent, dispersed training to networked, system-based training—this is our new attempt at simulation training." The brigade's leadership explained that in the past, simulation training was conducted mostly on a single-platform basis, with training in each specialty relatively independent. While this could alleviate constraints imposed by factors such as venues and equipment in live-equipment training, it still fell short of actual training requirements in areas such as technical-tactical coupling (技战术耦合) and system-level coordination (体系协同).

Company Commander Fan of a battalion in the brigade recalled that during one cross-specialty simulation exercise, because the simulation training system data for the vehicle commander, driver, and gun commander were not interconnected, they could only use rudimentary communications equipment for command. To address this, he led technical backbone personnel to consult with manufacturer representatives and study operation manuals, attempting multiple solutions, but with little effect. It was not until the brigade drove the shift toward networked, system-based simulation training that this problem was truly resolved.

On the day the new simulation training system was jointly commissioned, Company Commander Fan stared at the real-time multi-platform data flowing across the screen, his heart filled with excitement. "Before, everyone trained on their own; now the 'symphony' of specialized coordination can finally be played." He told the reporter that the new simulation training system integrates the positions of vehicle commander, gun commander, driver, and others into a unified whole, enabling multi-position coordinated training and advancing the improvement of personnel coordination capabilities.

To ensure training quality and effectiveness, the brigade has established explicit regulations: every tactical subject must go through multiple rounds of simulation training refinement before undergoing live-equipment precision training and tempering; each week a "simulation-to-live-equipment transition day" is set, during which vehicle crews are randomly selected to undergo cross-examination of simulated plans against live-equipment contingencies, further driving the seamless integration of simulation training with the real battlefield.

"As the simulation training system has continuously improved, the level of coordination among vehicle crews has grown higher and higher." Vehicle Commander Zhang Lintao said that in previous live-equipment coordinated training, their crew had repeatedly affected training quality and effectiveness due to poor coordination. Now, with the simulation training system, crew members repeatedly work together on the "cloud training ground," their coordination growing ever smoother, and they have achieved excellent results in live-equipment assessments.

During one tactical assessment, the vehicle crew of Squad Leader Hou Longfei was ambushed by an "enemy" anti-armor team, and the vehicle's advance was blocked. After analysis and judgment, he decided to adopt the tactical approach studied and refined during simulation training, directing the driver to use surrounding obstacles for concealed flanking maneuver while simultaneously ordering the gun commander to lock onto the "enemy" position, successfully executing a precision strike. "In simulation training, we explore crew coordination tactics for different combat scenarios following live-combat procedures. We have so far summarized multiple tactical methods and approaches (战术战法), which have been validated in combat-realistic exercises," Hou Longfei said with satisfaction.

"The simulation platform is an 'experimental field' for incubating new combat methods, validating new concepts, and working in new equipment." The brigade's leadership stated that they will continue to improve the simulation training system, deepen the advancement of the training organization model of "train more with simulation, train with precision on live equipment" (模拟多训、实装精训), and strive to provide full rehearsal and solid support for battlefield victory.