The system incorporates eye-safe laser ammunition, maneuvering targets and sophisticated after-action review capabilities in mobile or fixed theaters. A key advantage of PCTS over older precision gunnery systems is its automatic "hunter-killer" or "fire-and-forget" capabilities, which allows the "attacker" to immediately move to the next target immediately after firing.

With existing two-way systems, the gun must stay pointed at a target for the full fly-out duration before it can engage the next threat -- and this can take up to five seconds. In a real combat situation, five seconds can be life critical.

• PRECISION: Replicates maximum effective ranges of all potential ammunition while producing accurate hit/kill effects. PCTS provides a highly accurate replication of the ballistic characteristics and lethality of the weapons fired while holding alignment. It provides the highest level of training fidelity, in all modes of gunnery, for all types of modern battle tanks and armor fighting vehicles.
  
  
• FIDELITY: Realistically simulates tactical engagements in any environment. Outcomes of engagements can not be foiled by moving behind bushes or trees. Older two-way systems cannot meet this requirement, since they must maintain optical line-of-sight between the shooter and target during fly-out. PCTS increases realism and reduces opportunities for cheating.
  
  
• "FIRE & FORGET" TACTICS: Provides realistic "fire-and-forget" and shoot-on-the move capabilities for realistic training. This allows the "attacker" to immediately engage with a second threat immediately after firing, enabling crews to effectively train in a multi-threat environment. No two-way system has this unrestricted capability.
  
  
• RUGGED & RELIABLE: Features a rugged and reliable design with significantly fewer modules while reducing life-cycle costs. This unique architecture drastically reduces the numbers of cables and connections required, allowing crews to train as they fight with minimal distractions. Also improves system reliability and safety while reducing life-cycle costs. Reliability is further enhanced with the elimination of retroreflectors, which become unreliable when dirty, and often give away location of targets when interrogated by night vision systems.
  
  
• FEEDBACK: Timely feedback provided during gunnery training – or immediately following training during After Action Reviews (AARs). Data is quickly captured and downloaded with Cubic’s field-proven Controller Gun. Real-time feedback or AARs can be provided via portable laptops, standard PCs, or in fixed debriefing facilities. The AARs provide a comprehensive record of the strengths and weaknesses of each crew member, and/or their contribution to the collective training objectives of the unit
  
  
• MODULARITY: Modular design allows easy adaptation to future weapon platforms. PCTS includes common modules, a common system interface and advanced functions. The streamlined design allows for growth capability. It also reduces training time to learn how to use PCTS as well as associated logistics and documentation.

TECHNOLOGIES

PCTS incorporates the latest technologies available while retaining Cubic-proven methodologies gained from nearly 30 years of experience fielding live combat training systems. It builds on our successfully deployed Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES 2000), which is currently being used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and international forces.

PCTS addresses new requirements of future armor fighting vehicles with the infusion of state-of-the art technologies to support emerging tactics and techniques for force-on-force and gunnery training.

The system is designed to ensure compatibility with existing and future Combat Training Centers-Instrumentation Systems (CTC-IS), as well as Cubic's new PC-based Range Instrumentation System (PC-RIS).

HOW IT WORKS

PCTS merges the principles of realistic simulation with advanced features of the advanced MILES 2000 system to ensure the highest training fidelity possible. PCTS allows armor combat vehicle crews to conduct simulated engagements by firing eye-safe lasers at targets equipped with advanced simulators. The system accurately replicates the hit point and maximum effective ranges of all potential ammunition.

The simulated direct-fire events produce hit/miss "casualties," including audio/visual effects from the engagements. The outcome of each engagement is relayed to tank crews in real-time, and also recorded and analyzed for After-Action Reviews.