KDU RECEIVES A FULLY AUTOMATED BASIC WEAPONS TRAINING SIMULATOR FROM CDRD

Simulation-based weapon training has become a common technological addition in the military to train soldiers. These simulators can be adapted to several firearm types to impart basic training, hone firing skills, improve weapon handling skills and test the skill level of trainees in an immersive, all-encompassing experience. Providing this unique experience to cadets,  KDU was gifted with a fully automated weapons training simulator from the Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD) of the Ministry of Defence on 31 January 2024. The official handover took place in the KDU, with the presence of the Vice Chancellor – KDU Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara VSV, USP, psc MMaritimePol, BSc (DS) and Director General of the Centre for Defence Research and Development of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier BI Aselarachchi USP psc.

The weapons training simulator station handed over to KDU today consists of 6 firing lanes, each lane with a laser-mounted, modified T-56 assault rifle and an LED target panel to capture laser impacts. The fully automated and movable electronic target system with a maximum firing distance of 50 m facilitates the trainees to fire laser shots at prone, kneeling, and standing positions and monitor the shot’s impact on the nearby LCD screens.

The gifted weapons training simulator fulfilled a much-awaited requirement of KDU for cadet training. It is expected to provide KDU cadets with an exceptional opportunity to conduct weapon training using modern technology and to uplift its training standards to be on par with the other cadet training institutes around the globe.  

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Defence and Administration), Director KDU CARE and a few senior officers from KDU and CDRD were present on the occasion. The basic weapon training simulator project for KDU had been designed and led by Lt Col (Dr) N A B M S Nishshanka RSP USP psc SLAC of CDRD, currently attached to KDU CARE and an alumnus of KDU.