COTS MVP 10MAR26 Signed.pdf

A TZL-CTN-ITD

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. ARMY COMBINED ARMS COMMAND AND FORT LEAVENWORTH

INTEGRATED TRAINING DIRECTORATE

NATIONAL SIMULATION CENTER

410 KEARNY AVENUE

FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS 66027

04 March 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR Capability Program Executive - Simulations, Training, Testing, Threat (CPE ST3) 12809 Science Dr., Orlando, FL 32826-3276

SUBJECT: Soldier Virtual Trainer (SVT) Weapon Skills Development (WSD) Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Marketplace Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

1. Introduction. This memorandum provides a summary of the capability characteristics for a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Weapon Skills Development (WSD) training system. This analysis synthesizes technical and operational needs to paint a picture of a system that is not only effective but also seamlessly integrated with modern training doctrine.

2. Narrative Overview. The COTS WSD system is a realistic training environment designed for rapid, flexible deployment. A system can be packed into a single military vehicle, driven to a point of need and become operational, high-fidelity marksmanship trainer in under 30 minutes. For the Soldier, the experience is immersive; they use their own service weapon or surrogate, outfitted with a non-invasive wireless sensor, allowing complete freedom of movement. For the instructor, it is a powerful data-driven coaching tool, providing an objective, real-time feedback and detailed post-exercise analysis to forge more lethal and proficient warfighters.

3. Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Core System and Architectural Characteristics.

The foundation of the system is a modular and scalable architecture with Army virtual/Synthetic Training Environment (STE) interoperability built for reliability and ease of use.

a. Simultaneous Training: The WSD COTS system must enable five lanes of simultaneous training for small arms (Individual and Crew-Served) or one lane for mounted unstabilized training with a single Instructor/Operator. The system must allow for networking of up to three systems to support necessary throughput of Soldiers to meet training objectives at a given location and allow the student-to-instructor ratio to increase to a minimum of 15:1.

b. Portability and Setup: A five-lane system is designed for maximum portability, packaged to be transportable in a vehicle no larger than a 1 ¼ ton truck. The system can be set up and made ready for training by the operators within 30 minutes. Physical space required for system setup and operation must be equal to or less than the current Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) II program of record system which is 20 feet wide x 40

ATZL-CTN-lTD SUBJECT: Soldier Virtual Trainer (SVT) Weapon Skills Development (WSD) Commercial-off the-shelf (COTS) Marketplace Minimum Viable Product (MVP) long and 8-foot height utilizing no more than two dedicated 11 0V or 220V; 50Hz/60Hz power source plugs.

c. User Interface and Data Management: Features an intuitive user interface that minimizes operator training time. The system ensures robust data persistence for performance tracking, with reliable backup and recovery protocols to prevent any loss of training data. All performance records are secured to ensure integrity post-exercise.

d. Sustainment and Reliability: The system is characterized by its high operational readiness, with an expected availability of 90% or greater. Designed to operate on dual voltage (120/240V) and can sustain functionality through short power losses, protecting available training time. Cybersecurity principles are integrated to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data can be recovered if necessary.

4. Marksmanship and Semi-lmmersive Training Capabilities. The system's primary function is to provide a semi-immersive simulation environment that builds true-to-life weapon handling and marksmanship skills. WSD COTS must meet all Table I and Table II training requirements for individual and crew-served weapons IAW the corresponding Army Technical Circulars (TC's).

a. Realistic Simulation: Small arms are defined as individual weapons (pistol, rifle/carbine, and squad automatic weapons) must be tetherless, allowing Soldiers to move and shoot freely from anywhere within the training space. This enables the assumption of all required firing positions. Crew-served weapons may be tethered to provide necessary stimulation effects. The simulation provides a high degree of ballistic accuracy as it relates to the weapon system being trained and accurately replicates weapon recoil reinforcing proper body position and recoil management. The WSD system must enable mounted "Unstabilized Gunnery Table II" training with the ability to conduct defensive engagements against stationary and moving targets IAW doctrine.

b. Weapon Compatibility: The system supports key service weapons, such as the M4/M7/XM8 and M17/18, through "drop-in" sensor kits. These kits allow for the use of real service weapons without degrading their performance or lifecycle and can be installed in under five minutes. Surrogates of service weapons may be used if they adhere to strict Form Fit and Function requirements to at least the same level of fidelity and capability as the current EST II system. Development roadmap includes support for Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) equipment.

c. Targetry: Courses of Fire must be validated including target scaling, timing, presentation, and scoring. Validation will utilize the mil relation formula from TC 3-22.9, Appendix C.

ATZL-CTN-ITD

the-shelf (COTS) Marketplace Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

d. Ballistics and Accuracy: Each weapon system must have ballistics and accuracy validated prior to accreditation+/- 0.2mil of real weapon accuracy. Any weapon system that fails ballistics or accuracy validation cannot be accredited for Soldiers to train on that weapon.

e. Dynamic Training: The simulation supports training against both stationary and moving targets and can run Joint, Iner-Agency, Inter-Governmental, Multi-National (JIIM) verified courses of fire and trainer-generated individual and collective events. Instructors are enabled to develop user generated content such as unique ranges or courses of fire.

Instructors have the capability to dynamically induce weapon malfunctions during runtime to train Soldiers in performing immediate and remedial actions under pressure.

5. Performance Feedback and After-Action Review (AAR). A fundamental characteristic is the system's ability to provide immediate and detailed performance feedback, turning every repetition into a learning opportunity.

a. Advanced AAR Tools: The system includes a comprehensive After-Action Review (AAR) capability. At a minimum, this provides a clear aim trace (e.g. , pre-shot, shot, and post-shot) and precise target review for all trainees, allowing instructors to give specific, objective feedback.

b. Accurate Scoring: The system provides an accurate report and delivery of the shots hit/ miss, preferably in the form of a DA Form 7801 (Rifle/Carbine Qualification) and DA Form 7814 (Pistol Qualification), with other forms like DA Form 3595 (M16 Record Fire) and DA Form 3601 (M4 Field Fire) used for specific courses, and documenting Soldier proficiency onto the DA scorecard format.

c. Data-Driven Coaching: The system provides training performance feedback capability for both real-time viewing and post-exercise debriefing. This gives leaders access to critical data on individual and collective performance, which is stored in a local repository for future use and longitudinal (maybe individual and unit aggregated and correlated data over time?) analysis.

6. Validation: All potential COTS solutions will be validated by the proponent to ensure alignment with applicable doctrine and training strategies.

7. Point of contact for this action is Mr. Marc Turner, (520) 691-8869, marc.w.turner.civ@army.mil.

PHILIP A.

COL, SF

Director, Integrated Training Directorate

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the-shelf (COTS) Marketplace Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Attachments:

Appendix A Future Development

Appendix A

Future development: The SVT WSD program requirements will include capabilities not required of a COTS MVP. These additional future requirements address more specific needs of the various formations within the Army.

a. Collective Training: The WSD system in the future will be required to be networked into the greater synthetic training environment to allow dismounted Soldiers to train simultaneously with mounted crews utilizing Embedded Training or other vehicle trainers. Collective training modes will require voice and mission command data for tactical communications.

b. Anti-Tank (AT) Weapons: Current and future platoon and below level AT systems such as the Individual Assault Munition (1AM), M3 Carl Gustaf, and FGM-148 Javelin will be system requirements. Systems will require the same level of ballistic accuracy as other weapons systems to allow for individual and crew Table I and II level training with further adaptation into collective training events.

c. UAS/CUAS: Soldiers at squad and below level will require both the ability to train collectively within a fire-team small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS weapons in a simulated environment.

d. Unstabilized Gunnery: Future iterations of the WSD system will have objective requirements of offensive engagements. Additionally, all mounted gunnery will require automated scoring IAW gunnery doctrine to allow for crew evaluators to conduct data driven AARs.

e. Use of Force (UOF): UOF, Escalation of Force (EOF) and less-lethal training capability will be objective requirements of the WSD program. Soldiers require simulation systems for training to support civil authorities. Training must allow for Soldiers to make decisions with interactive results allowing for escalation and de escalation of situations. Less Lethal training systems will allow for Soldiers to conduct multiple iterations with simulated training devices whereas live fire training is prohibitive due to resources.

Joint Fires Trainer (JFT): The SVT JFT while currently a separate line of effort will require interoperability with the WSD system. Future JFT requirements will direct the ability to utilize the same network architecture and physical equipment (screen and projector) using Fires specific peripheral devices.