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Adelaide-based defence company elmTEK has been selected by the Department of Defence to deliver state-of-the-art ‘Human-In-the-Loop’ simulation technology, under Phase 2 of Joint Project 500 (JP500).

Set to  improve outcomes for troops in combat situations, Human-in-the-Loop is a type of simulation that immerses a human operator into a conflict environment and collects data on how they interact and respond to different operational scenarios using Emulated Military Equipment.

The scenarios enable equipment to be tested for efficacy, and tactical and countermeasure approaches to be optimised, resulting in better real-life outcomes for our troops. The simulation is capable of creating life-like physical effects such as vibration, weapon kickback and realistic battlefield sounds.

elmTEK Director of Strategy, Bjorn Wharff, said the technology was the most advanced of its kind, with cutting-edge precision and fidelity improving the accuracy and usefulness of the data collected.

“We want to measure and assess true behaviours, so operators must be absolutely convinced of the scene realism and be ‘immersed’ in the scenarios,” said Mr Wharff.

The Human-in-the-Loop facility development is led by Defence Science and Technology Group’s Sensors and Effectors Division (SED) in conjunction with the Joint Survivability and Tactics Validation Unit (JSTVU). The primary goal for SED and JSTVU is human interaction with threat systems and Electronic Warfare effectors.

The results will enable Defence to develop and validate Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), as well as alternative countermeasures in combat situations.

“If we can better understand how and when an operator will use a weapon, and how that weapon performs in those circumstances, we can improve the training protocols to account for those behaviours and improve outcomes in a combat situation,” said Mr Wharff.

“It’s a really powerful tool in developing and deepening the sovereign capabilities around technology, equipment and people for the Australian Defence Force.”

The project was bolstered by the recent merger between elmTEK and Consilium Technology, with the latter bringing specific simulation technology and extensive artificial intelligence to the development of the world-class technology.

The simulator consists of a 270-degree immersive dome, coupled with superior visual and audio scene rendering technology which will deliver highly realistic effects for the human operators.

The Human-in-the-Loop simulator is currently in its second phase of development, with the build expected to be completed in August 2023.