GEC goes into action with virtual reality

WORK starts today on the construction of a pounds 176m army training centre which should reduce substantially the number of live troop and artillery exercises. A consortium of GEC-Marconi and Lockheed Martin has been selected to develop the new combined arms tactical trainer centre on Salisbury Plain near Warminster.

The centre will allow the Army to simulate tank battles with the aid of visual databases and computer-generated forces, rather than having to conduct live exercises, such as those at Cope Hilldown, above. Lockheed said that it would save money, reduce environmental damage and improve safety. A similar centre is being installed for the British army in Germany.

Photograph: Christopher Jones