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Bohemia Interactive Simulations has announced that the US Army has initiated the upgraded deployment of Virtual Battlespace 4 under a contract modification to its long-running Games for Training program.
The move marks a significant technological step forward in the Army’s approach to simulation-based training, with Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4) set to replace the existing VBS3 system in use across the US Army’s extensive virtual training network.
The Games for Training (GFT) program, first launched in 2013, is designed to deliver flexible and persistent virtual training for mission rehearsal, tactical instruction and leadership development. Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) has played a foundational role in the program since 2009.
“Upgrading to VBS4 allows us to take full advantage of the latest advancements in virtual game training technology,” said David Perez, US Army GFT program manager.
“Our mission is to ensure soldiers are trained and ready for the complexities of the modern battlefield. With VBS4, we’re delivering a flexible, immersive game platform that supports the Army’s push for leaner, more lethal formations and the rapid integration of emerging technologies into training,” Perez added.
Deployed across more than 80 simulation centres, schoolhouses and home-station training sites, the GFT program is the most widely used game-based training system in the US Army.
The transition to VBS4, now underway in the third option year of the current GFT contract, introduces significant technological enhancements, including a more powerful graphics engine, improved networking and system performance, and a streamlined user interface.
A major feature of the VBS4 upgrade is access to a high-fidelity whole-earth terrain server, allowing soldiers to train in highly realistic, geographically accurate virtual environments from individual and squad-level scenarios to large-scale mission command and staff exercises.
Pete Morrison, chief product officer at BISim, emphasised the strength of the long-term partnership, adding, “Supporting the US Army’s vision for modernising its training enterprise reflects a long-standing partnership built on trust, adaptability and a shared commitment to innovation. This upgrade provides tools that help prepare warriors for the missions of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”
The US Army awarded BISim a five-year enterprise licence contract for the GFT program in 2022, further cementing the company’s role as a key player in military simulation technology.
The adoption of VBS4 is expected to enhance both the realism and scalability of virtual training, aligning with the Army’s broader modernisation efforts and ensuring soldiers are better prepared for future conflicts.
