An Army Brigade Drives the Transformation of Simulation Training Systems from 'Single-Platform' to 'Integrated System'
In early summer, inside a simulation training room of an Army brigade, a coordinated confrontation exercise was underway: an artillery element conducted fire strikes against the "enemy," an air defense element 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 units 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-soldier operational skills to the integration of technical and tactical skills (技术战术融合), and shifting the mode of employment from independent, dispersed training to networked, system-based training (互联体系训)—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 for each specialty relatively independent. Although this alleviated constraints imposed by factors such as venues and equipment in live-equipment training, gaps remained between that approach and 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 gunner were not interconnected, they could only use simple communications equipment for command. He brought technical backbone personnel to consult with manufacturer representatives and studied the operating manuals, attempting multiple solutions, but with little effect. The problem was not truly resolved until the brigade drove the shift of simulation training toward networked, system-based training.
On the day the new simulation training system was jointly calibrated, Company Commander Fan stared at the real-time multi-platform data streaming across the screen, his heart surging with excitement. "Before, everyone trained on their own; now the 'symphony' of professional coordination can finally be performed!" He told reporters that the new simulation training system integrates the positions of vehicle commander, gunner, driver, and others into a unified whole, enabling multi-position coordinated training and promoting the improvement of officers' and soldiers' ability to coordinate and cooperate.
To ensure training quality and effectiveness, the brigade has established clear regulations: every tactical subject must go through multiple rounds of simulation training refinement before proceeding to live-equipment precision training for tempering; every week a "simulation-to-live-equipment transition day" (模拟—实装衔接日) is set, during which vehicle crews are randomly selected to undergo cross-examination of simulation 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 mutual understanding among vehicle crews has grown higher and higher," said vehicle commander Zhang Lintao. In previous live-equipment coordinated training exercises, his crew had on multiple occasions allowed poor coordination to affect training quality and effectiveness. Now, with the aid of the simulation training system, crew members repeatedly work themselves in on the "cloud-based exercise ground" (云端演兵场), their coordination growing ever smoother, and they have achieved excellent results in live-equipment assessments.
During one tactical assessment, the 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, commanding the driver to use surrounding obstacles for concealed flanking maneuver while simultaneously ordering the gunner 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, and have to date summarized multiple tactical methods and approaches (战术战法), which have been validated in realistic combat exercises (实战化演练)," Hou Longfei said with satisfaction.
"The simulation platform is a 'test field' for incubating new combat methods, validating new concepts, and working in new equipment," the brigade's leadership stated. 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.