Canadian Forces choose NGRAIN for equipment training and lifecycle support
Cassidian and NGRAIN partner to bring deployable maintenance training solutions to customers worldwide
Ottawa, Canada (CANSEC) – June 1, 2010— NGRAIN, a leading provider of interactive 3D equipment simulation solutions that maximize the effectiveness of training programs and maintenance support systems, and Cassidian, a company of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), announced today that Cassidian will make NGRAIN training solutions available to its customers around the world. Incorporating NGRAIN solutions into the Cassidian product portfolio will provide customers with new maintenance training capabilities. At the same time, the cooperation is a strategic next step in the relationship between both companies as they co-develop interactive training platforms for aircraft maintenance programs.
Meeting mission-critical training requirements, NGRAIN solutions support maintenance training in a variety of environments to ensure knowledge is accessible anywhere and at any time. Whether deployed for an instructor-led environment, for independent learning accessed via a learning management system, or made accessible in the field to support troops already deployed, NGRAIN Virtual Task Trainer (VTT) and Virtual Task Refresher (VTR) solutions deliver procedural information in a visual format that is proven to accelerate learning, increasing first-time-right performance and overall proficiency. Leveraging Cassidian’s extensive expertise in developing results-driven training programs, NGRAIN’s unique 3D simulation technology can also be integrated into courseware, Interactive Electronic Training Manuals (IETMs), and Learning Management Systems.
“Cassidian is a respected leader and developer of some of the world’s most innovative training platforms for its customers,” said Paul Lindahl, CEO, NGRAIN. “We look forward to growing a relationship that will provide added value to military and defence organizations looking for deployable maintenance training solutions.”
In October 2010, NGRAIN and Cassidian partnered to develop interactive virtual training platforms for aircraft maintenance technicians. The solutions will provide the ability to practice and review critical maintenance procedures within a complete simulation of aircraft functionality – including fully realistic operational scenarios. The joint solution is a net-centric interactive virtual environment that integrates the award-winning commercial-off-the-shelf training systems from NGRAIN and Cassidian. These strategic developments will enable NGRAIN and Cassidian to provide end-to-end maintenance training and operational support for the equipment lifecycle. For more information about joint solution, please visit www.ngrain.com to download the Future of Maintenance Training Journal.
NGRAIN simulations set to transform aerospace education at 12 Canadian schools
Vancouver, BC Canada – June 01, 2010 (CANSEC) — NGRAIN today announced that the PT6 engine training solution developed by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) using NGRAIN Producer has been provided to eleven other Canadian post-secondary education institutions. Delivering parts familiarization, theory of operation, and maintenance procedures for the Pratt and Whitney PT6A engine in a highly interactive and rich media environment, the training solution will help students in aerospace and aviation programs acquire knowledge in less time and with increased skill.
“We are thrilled that students and instructors across Canada will be able to use interactive 3D simulations from NGRAIN to enhance learning for aerospace technical trades,” said Paul Lindahl, CEO, NGRAIN. “The PT6 training solution, which is already in use at BCIT, will help schools improve student comprehension and proficiency of tasks by providing instructors with a way to visually communicate complex information about the engine operations and subsystems.”
Common in the aerospace industry, there are more than 6,500 operators around the world using various PT6 engine variants making it a standard engine used in schools to train students on maintenance procedures. BCIT used NGRAIN Producer software donated by NGRAIN to incorporate 3D simulations of the engine into its aerospace courses as part of the school’s CUBE initiative. The resulting virtual PT6 engine training solution enriches the curriculum, allowing students to learn and practice procedures, including assembly and disassembly, damage inspection, hot section inspection, and part replacement.
“NGRAIN has given our instructors a way to combine hands-on and theoretical learning, helping students more proficiently apply their knowledge to the maintenance of a real engine,” said Brian Hosier, Director, Media & Technology Services, Learning and Teaching Centre, BCIT. “BCIT is looking forward to seeing these benefits shared across Canada as we advance maintenance training.”
NGRAIN worked with the National Training Association, a group of representatives for college training organizations approved by Transport Canada and accredited by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace, to identify the post-secondary programs that would benefit most from the PT6 training solution. These include aerospace engineering and maintenance programs at: New Brunswick Community College, Algonquin College, Red River College, College of the North Atlantic, Collège Édouard-Montpetit- École Nationale d’Aérotechnique, Confederation College, Centennial College, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Northern Lights College, and Holland College.
"Students today are tech-savvy and accustomed to obtaining information online and in digital formats,” said Bruce Dwyer, Administrator, Aviation Studies, Algonquin College. “By incorporating NGRAIN’s interactive 3D training into the classroom, our students will have more knowledge about the PT6 engine prior to the hands-on training component of the program. This will reduce wear-and-tear on the equipment and give students the confidence they need to be successful when performing tasks.”
NGRAIN Virtual Task Trainer solutions deliver long-term cost avoidance
Ottawa, Canada (CANSEC) – June 01, 2011 — NGRAIN today announced it has recently won contracts with the Canadian Forces to deliver its award-winning NGRAIN Virtual Task Trainer (VTT) solutions for a wide range of systems, including the M-113 Rotzler Winch, Palfinger Crane, tEODor Remotely Operated Vehicle, and a number of weapon systems and ammunitions. The company, which has defined the virtual maintenance training market with its highly deployable technology and innovative solutions, has been contracted over the last few years to provide more than 60 training and performance support solutions to the Department of National Defence.
Dedicated to its customers and to lowering the costs associated with equipment sustainment, NGRAIN provides powerful virtual training solutions that can be used in instructor-led and independent learning environments, as well as in the field. NGRAIN solutions are SCORM-conformant and can be deployed on Learning Management Systems. In addition, 3D simulations delivered with NGRAIN solutions can be quickly modified and updated using the company’s easy-to-use Producer software. NGRAIN is the only company that provides a way for its customers to update and re-use its 3D equipment simulations without the need to incur lengthy and costly development cycles.
“Unlike other solutions on the market that are limited to video, cannot be deployed in Learning Management System environments, or cannot be updated without expertise in coding and 3D graphic design experience, NGRAIN provides solutions that can evolve with the equipment as procedures change,” said Gabe Batstone, Chief Operating Officer, NGRAIN. “NGRAIN is the provider of choice time and again because we are the only company that provides truly interactive 3D simulation software solutions that meet today’s training requirements as well as tomorrow’s.”
NGRAIN VTT solutions address critical training challenges for the Canadian Forces by providing a way to train new recruits faster, avoid costs associated with acquiring equipment for training, increase access to training, and improve the performance of maintenance tasks.
Some of the NGRAIN training solutions for the Department of National Defence include:
M113 Rotzler Winch VTT: The M113 classification of armoured vehicles requires specialized equipment including the Rotzler Winch. To help ensure technicians can safely and efficiently repair an M113 vehicle, the VTT will provide parts familiarization as well as training on operation and maintenance of the winch. The VTT will be used as a learning tool prior to, during, and after class.
Palfinger Crane VTT: The Palfinger Crane is used on the M113 Mobile Tracked Vehicle Fitter (MTVF) to give vehicle technicians the ability to safely and efficiently repair vehicles and engine power plants in a variety of geographical conditions. The NGRAIN VTT will provide vehicle technicians with the information needed to safely operate and maintain the Palfinger Crane as well as understand the Electronic Control Unit.
tEODor Remotely Operated Vehicle VTT: Used to investigate unknown objects and for the deactivation and destruction of explosive devices, the tEODor Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is an important piece of equipment covered in the explosive ordnance training for the Canadian Forces. The VTT will provide technical and operational knowledge of the maintenance of the ROV in both English and French.
Based on the award-winning 3KO (3D Knowledge Object) technology developed by NGRAIN, the VTT is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software solution designed to visually communicate information about a piece of equipment. The 3D simulations delivered with each NGRAIN training solution can be easily updated and used in a variety of training documents including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF and HTML pages to further extend the value of the Canadian Forces’ investment in NGRAIN.
