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bacchus17 good catch...+80% over prior!
Yeah 80% reads a heck of a lot better than 55.4% any
day of the week.
Quick question with important ramifications:
In your perusal of the 10Q, did you find any evidence Virtra loaned Threat Dynamics it's equipment in exchange for partnership consideration?
Personally, with the high "New Equipment" revenues recorded in the Income Statement, and lacking any significant rise in Plant & Equipment in the Balance Sheet it would appear Virtra sold 3 units (at full mark-up....check increase in margins over last quarter as validation) of equipment, while obviously compensating Threat Dynamics in other ways for it's partnership stake.
LoL, and judging by the cash flow statement, Virtra didn't cut T.D. a check, either....
So, that brings us to "other equipment", which would represent warranty and upgrades, peripherals and software.
60k does seem a little light for all those new system sales (and a record 1st quarter btw), and from what is found on the Brazil white paper, software scenarios are sold separately with some systems, that am guessing is for the 1vr-300 and ups. Those programs are sold at over $14K a pop (again off the Brazilian paper).
We also know from the Australian contract Sir Felix found that, the Aussie gov't is going to spend $100k USD a year 2009-2014 to upgrade content, service, and maintain a single IVR-300 system. Guess it ain't cheap to own these suckers!
Anyway, personal belief is that Virtra felt itself in a strong enough position to leverage Threat Dyanmics' absolute need for an exclusivity agreement, that they simply siphoned-off future "other equipment" revenues in exchange for a slice o'pie.
Just a guess.
Your thoughts.......
thanks,
pete
Threat D's Zombie Apocalypse-Home Defense Class?
Sure it's an advanced class but, really how many of us
are prepared for such an inevitability?
Sir Felix, am a firm believer in the free market system, and am betting you get your wish. But if Virtra's IVR system is to become mainstream entertainment, it will most likely begins it's metamorphasis through the Threat Dynamic channel.
The transition from pure Training facility to Entertainment
optional will begin as a blurring of the two directives.
The rules have changed for Virtra -the moment Threat Dynamics moved from professional services to...Public shooter.
Adam has tasted the Virtra fruit, and found it awesome.
With that single event, our company will evolve to better embrace this new audience, and this will be beyond Training
-bank on it.
Because, in all honestly how much training is the general public going to absorb before they stop going? Where is the immediate validation for all the tutoring going to come from, once back at home?
Obvious changes: Threat Dynamics will slowly let down it's hair (maybe sooner than we think....see May's Calendar following the end of Tuesday league nights) by:
1) Expanding the public shooter experience by offering greater weapon selection than the current 2 pistols (both Glocks btw).
Consumers love choice, and the greater the variety, the higher the usage level. How many flavors of Vitamin Water are there? Virtra get some selection in immediately.
2)With greater range in weapontry come differing levels of recoil & accuracy. Giving the consumer a reason to change weapon selection by-way-of software would also be necessary.
Shooting at range targets on the IVR-100 with a Colt .45 would
make a nice change from a Glock 17, but imagine............
Zombies coming at ya.
3) Which brings us to Happy Hour.
Look, the Romans knew it best. To get people happy, give them a body count. Thus the Coliseum. And to keep them happy, raise the body count. Simple.
And what better, politically-correct "body" provider than....
the lowly zombie?
Imagine, it's 5pm, your off work, you stroll over to Threat Dynamics for HAPPY HOUR. IVR-100 on, Theme song from
28 DAYS LATER playing on hi-fidelity system, and you've decided to experiment with a two pistol rig as those pesky undead run full-tilt towards you......
Of course, that threat-fire belt is going to sting a bit if you get bit. lol.
Oh, and the advanced tactical training really pays off here BTW.
Sleep well.
imawswami.
ps. 4) In the future, the IVR 300 series will offer a single player version. Much smaller/cheaper, so you can pack more into the outlet.....
Have to say it also, Incredible call Merlin!
Great quote:
"Volume has been on the increase, and I expect at least 2 M in volume on Monday with a further price increase going into the Golden Cross. How much of a price increase will correspond with the Golden Cross is anyone's guess. On the optimistic high side it could take us up thru the .15/.16 resistance to the .20 -.30 range.
More conservatively, it could take us thru that resistance to the .17 -.21 range.
Time will tell.
nilremerlin
------------------------------------------------------------
Ithaca
Life's journey end
a corporate of fools?
Joy-sorrow-torment
insanity? Odysseus.
Airship to the shore
What crew remains?
For barest margins
propels to Ithaca.
Providence?
Ammo $$ driving Police dept.'s to simulators-Video!
Summary:
Since ammo costs have skyrocketed (in some cases +100% when available), police departments across the nation have been feeling the budgetary pinch.
The featured department in the Channel 7 newscast has had to move beyond just using their primitive simulator for decision-making drills to range practise substitute.
Guess everbody is discovering that firing CO2 at 1 cent a round beats 50 cent .223 ammunition everytime. Just ask Brazil!
So, paying top dollar for a state-of the-art system that recoups it's own cost in less than a year (per Brazil) makes
perfect sense!
As the TA guys love to tell us, "The trend is your friend", and frankly for Virtra Systmes, couldn't agree more!
Enjoy the video and am looking forward to Lawton PD upgrading to a better system. Hope that Virtra sends these guys a brochure!
imawswami
The KSWO CHANNEL 7 NEWS Video:
http://www.kswo.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3714392&h1=Bullets%20flying%20off%20shelves&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=171133&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=80330938
article:
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=10285506&nav=menu495_1
Bullets flying off shelves
Posted: May 1, 2009 05:59 AM PDT
Featured Videos
Bullets flying off shelves
Lawton_Ammunition is hard to come by in Texoma these days. When you can find it, those little bullets will cost you a fortune. Some blame it on the Obama administration and others, on an increase in crime. Whatever the case, it's costing more and more to pack heat. 7NEWS took a closer look at the effect it is having on gun owners and even the Lawton Police Department.
When calling around to some local pawn shops, you'll quickly find out ammunition is a hot commodity these days. "Our 380, 25, 32 in normally here, it's gone. Our 9mm, our 45 home protection is normally here it's gone and the whole bottom shelf is normally 9mm and it's completely out," said Chris Brown, pointing to the shelves in Frog's Pawn. They get new shipments weekly, but the bullets keep selling like hot cakes.
"The phone rings off the hook," said Brown. "You have to put limits on it because if not people will come in and buy it in caseloads instead of boxes."
So why all the fuss over these little bullets? Some say they are stocking up because of the new Obama administration, while others say it is due to an increase in crime.
However, it is not just your ‘average joe' who cannot get their ammunition, even the Lawton Police Department is strapped for training rounds.
"The price of ammo has gone up close to double, sometimes triple in some situations," said LPD Range Master Mark Foreman.
"It has become very hard to get. The cost has skyrocketed. It has become a budgetary issue," said LPD Deputy Chief Mike Johnson.
It has become so much of an issue that they have even had to adjust their firearms training. In the past, officers were not limited to the amount of rounds fired. "It was relatively easy to come by," said Johnson. However now Foreman says, "We have to count those. We can only hold them to so many rounds we can't practice like we used to."
Instead, Johnson says they are resorting to a more cost effective shooting simulator, "not just for decision making scenarios, but for some of our drills and things like that, that we would normally do on the range."
That does pose a problem. The department just purchased M-4 assault rifles and the rounds cost a whopping .50 cents a piece.
"And so they have to know what that bullet is going to do when it travels down range and the only way you know that is through training," said Johnson. That means the department has to factor in that extra cost into their budget. In fact, they have had to increase their budget by $27,000.
"I've not seen anything like this in my 23 years. There are a lot of factors. The war, the economy, political influences," said Johnson. "The manufacturers are frantically trying to keep up with the demand," said Foreman.
Even with more manufacturing they still cannot meet the demand. That leaves police departments scrounging for bullets that are flying off the shelves.
Some industry experts say gun and ammunition sales are up a 100-percent for the year.
Hey Learned, thanks and more........
LEARNED,
Could not agree more with your approach to this company. System sales growing exponentially, exhibitions by Virtra or their distributors (increasing themselves) mushrooming, & just as important (probably more) -customers openly expressing the huge benefits + high satisfaction level of the IVR purchase.
As if this was not enough, Virtra has positioned itself in the marketplace with deep & growing distinction between itself and the competition, offering the "high-end" with better dollar value. This is a marketing dream.
As far as retracement in price goes, have no clue. Am a "know what you hold" kind. Am simply following the lead of the biggest pool of investors in VTSI....
Threat Dynamics principles
Anyway, the MOMO's will be back sooner then we imagine
-anticipating beaucoup 1st quarter sales/profits and an early pre-release announcement on record bustin results by the company prior to mid-May official numbers....kinda like we saw with the 10k.
Quick question to the board. Virta states in it's annual reports that the company possesses an exclusive on HD and the 360 degee product. Does anybody know why this is? Does it have anything to do with patent it owns on running software to multiple screens or with tech provider Christie/or Eon/etc.?
Am not much of a tech person, so would love to read any comments from those who have that kind of insight.....thanks.
Learned, one thing forgot to mention in the last post on the Brazilian white paper. 2 more IVR-360's (beyond what Br. has already purchased) are committed to this year. This time it's not the Gov't police but the Brazilian National Guard that wants a taste.
This is EXACTLY what Virtra does best, expanding the customer base among various intra-gov't agencies.
Sign of a winner.
imawswami
Hey Teeroy, a bit more on Brazil document...
T,
Yeah, Virtra makes it easy finding this stuff! lol.
It's either another convention or sale revealed on the net, or it's one of Virtra's customers singing the praises of the IVR system they are using -much like Brazil gov't or this latest from Phelps County....
The Brazil document was something that was discovered late at night, with little time to work with it before posting.
Am still going through, and with babelfish, translating in parts to try and wrap the ol'noggin around on what's Really being said.
One thing that was brought up in this report was the strengths and weaknesses of the simulator.
The strengths we know are the cost/benefit ratio, 360 degree approach to asymetrical training, dynamic vs. static target, and return fire of the IVR system.
What the report mentioned as weakness of the simulator was a lack of proper recoil (not matching actual combat rounds fired) and noise. For myself, these issues could be remedied by upping the CO2 (definitely getting away from Co2 cartridges) and raising the decibels of the audio system.
Problem solved. It sounds minor when compared to the cost savings benefit, but it obviously exists.....
Am sure others are doing the same, but for those that lack the time, here are a few standouts in the paper:
-------------------------------------------------------------
"In the start of the year of 2007, the Public Security of the State of Amazon was benefited with the accord established between the governments state and federal, in what it says respect to the question investment.
In this way, the resource of R$ was assured 2 million for the acquisition of equipment for the process of repairing and modernization of the technician-scientific policy. In this context, the mount of money, also took care of to the courses and training of the military policemen.
One of the pieces of equipment acquired for the State of Amazon was the IVR 4G 360°, a shooting simulator , computer operated by modern technology, turning 360º and is composed of six screens of projection with scenes, mirrors, kit of simulation for machine gun (compatibility M 16), among others utilities, that will be studied deeper in this chapter.
The Secretary of Justice and Public Security of the State, Sá Cavalcante, in relation to this investment said:
"This goes to contribute very much to the improvement of the qualification professional and the funding of the Civil and Military police, beyond reducing costs with ballistics equipment and preventing accidents.The goal is in such a way to modernize the services that are offered to the population, controlling cost for the requalification of the police."
----------------------------------------------------------
"The IVR 4G 360° exceeds many objectives of the training and presents excellent relation to cost/benefit. The training in the simulator saves time and money.
Without the high costs with the ammunition, the IVR 4G offers a superior training with little expense, resulting in a economy in the long run.
For in such a way, the Virtra Systems carried through a study and sweetened two graphs, with the cost of police training using itself of the real ammunition and the device offered for the simulator......One notices that the value of the simulator in relation to the one of the ammunition trainings, is about 3,6 times lesser."
------------------------------------------------------------
"The simulators of the Virtra are extremely flexible, being able to take care of innumerable necessities of training, such as, basic and advanced exercises, practised in traditional estandes of shot. This includes the attendance the wounded."
--------------------------------------------------------------
"The Maj Setúbal standed out a great disadvantage with regard to this questioning, in its opinion: "The great difficulties are the ammunition and the materials for instructions.
The simulator could minimize the problems, but the great one disadvantage is the following one: as well as it miniminiza, it also has a great limitation, and is this limitation that can make the difference later in the learning of the pupil.
Because exactly having the recoil of the weapon in simulator does not come close to the maximum of the reality of a real shot, either for the recoil of the weapon, the racket of the detonation, that intervenes with the behavior of the trainee."
-------------------------------------------------------------
imawswami
Nice write-up in April 2009 Policemag
http://www.policemag.com/Print/Articles/2009/04/Virtual-Reality-Training.aspx
in an article comparing different national departments and their use of various simulators, it's kind of funny how only one simulator out of the bunch reviewed had ALL these outside departments lining up to use anothers system.
That of course was the Phelps county Sheriff's department with their IVR 300 HD.
Excerpt:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Phelps County (Mo.) Sheriff’s Department
Interstate 44 runs east to west across Missouri into the Ozarks, cutting through sparsely populated Phelps County and skirting the town of Rolla. The highway is a major drug transportation corridor, and that’s why the 28 deputies of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department can train on a VirTra Systems IVR-300 HD simulator that costs $159,000: Drug forfeitures paid for it. "We let the bad guys pay for our equipment," says Lt. Bruce Southard.
The IVR-300 HD is a visually immersive system that plays scenarios on 300 degrees of panoramic screens. In other words, there are threats to the side and the rear, not just right in front of you. "When you go up to a house or approach a car in a scenario, you see everything around you," says Southard. "It’s really brought the deputies’ awareness up," he says.
Not only does the IVR-300 HD offer an ultra-realistic near wraparound visual, it also has a surround sound effect and Southard says that can be quite distracting during a scenario. "There’s so much you can do with it," he explains. "You can play the sound of a helicopter going over, or dogs barking, or a door opening behind the student."
Students that don’t keep their head on a swivel in a VirTra Systems scenario are likely to feel some pain. Phelps County’s VirTra System simulator is outfitted with the Threat-fire belt, a belt worn by an officer during a scenario. When a bad guy shoots the officer, he or she feels a mild electric shock in the front or back, depending on the virtual point of impact. "It feels a lot like a rubber band snap," says Southard. It really raises your blood pressure and your stress when you think about taking that hit."
Southard says that his department realizes that it is lucky to have access to such state-of-the-art technology for so few sworn personnel, and it has allowed other agencies to use the system for training, including local police departments, the FBI, the DEA, the U.S. Marshal Service, and even Army MPs from Fort Leonard Wood.
VirTra Systems IVR-300 HD
--------------------------------------------------------------
Threat Dynamics takes the wraps off Civilian link
http://www.threatdynamics.com/civilian/
Nice to see the expanded offering in training towards non-
enforcement types. Once Threat D. has settled into these new programs am expecting the military to be welcomed next....maybe May at the rate these boys are rolling.
HUGE: Brazil Gov't 126pg. EVALUATION of VIRTRA!
Made public 15.04.2009, gov't had it at the end of 2008
http://www.segurancacidada.org.br/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=1142
Yes, 126 page report on Training of the Governmental forces, the focus of which is the latest simulation acquisition:
Virtra Systems IVR 4G 360
Basically, the way it reads, the IVR-360 was put through it's paces by the state governmental police, and subsequentially a white paper was submitted to the "Big Boys". IMO, a think piece on "do we buy more & how many."
Brazil being the 8th largest economy in the world and growing with 235978 active personnel in the armed forces & 280000 reservists.
This report is important for them.
HUGE FOR US. WHY?
the numbers.
ONE YEARS TRAINING of 6,000 men through 1 IVR-360 eliminates the 2.88 million Real bill for ammunition by spending 800,000R
on that 1 IVR System.....THAT'S ONLY THE FIRST YEAR ALONE!
Plus, they got all that nifty software to play with....
Don't think for a second that these boys missed a trick here.
A translated excerpt:
----------------------------------------------------------------
"In this graph the great economy is clear, in relation to the ammunition, proportionate for the use of kits of the simulator. Leaving of this estimated, we can only affirm that the necessary amount so that the military policeman of the PMMT has a complete training is of the 300 (three hundred) ammunition, speaking in pistol. 40. In this way it would pass for the basic course of pistol and would have the chance to exercise its knowledge in the tracks of the Giraldi Method.
According to DALP (Direction of Logistic Support), the current cost of 01 (one) the ammunition trainings of .40 is of R$ 1,60 (a Real and sixty cents), thus to train the PMMT in one year, that has 6,000 men approximately, the State would have to invest around R$ 2.880.000, 00 (two million eight hundred and eighty thousand Reals).
What the IVR 4G would leave more expensive than the acquisition the IVR 360°, costing R$800.000, 00 (eight hundred a thousand Reals). One notices that the value of the simulator in relation to the one of the ammunition trainings, is about 3,6 times lesser. Therefore the value of that one would be paid in the lesser period that one year, only with the economy of these ammunition of training. The Virtra Systems offers to a great variety of simulators the seusclientes, taking care of to any necessities presented in relation the space, budget and training. In this way we have the IVR 100 HD, IVR 180 HD, IVR300° and finally one of objects of our study, the IVR 4G 360°. The IVR 100 HD is optimum and accessible simulator of a screen, available in the market, with the advantages of fast configuration and easy portabilidade. It as all the other simulators of series IVR, is compatible to all the offered assessórios. Its dimensions are the following ones: width 3,05 m; height 2,74 m
----------------------------------------------------------------
This document is too long for one person translating, so here are just some pieces:
Military Police of Mato Grosso State CENTER FOR TRAINING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT POLICE MILITARY ACADEMY COSTA VERDE COURSE OF DEGREE IN SAFETY PÚBLICA-CBSP/CFO
ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICABILITY OF SIMULANTS INTRUÇÃO OF POLICE SHOOTING
THIAGO JOSÉ FERREIRA
Várzea Grande – MT
2008
ABSTRACT
This monographic study aims to analyze the extent of application of a
simulator of fire as a means of helping the instructions of police shooting PMMT. We
must come together and study the methodology of teaching and development of the
method Giraldi, adopted as doctrine of education in police firing in the State of Mato
Grosso and its application to training courses and training of military police.
Furthermore, we present the IVR 4G 360 °, the latest and most advanced simulator
of shots, used in the training of police United States. Through literature search, we
tried to define the shot officer, simulators and simulations, and previous experiences
of other institutions and national and international organizations with the use of
simulators for training of personnel, as the Brazilian Army.
It also has required the analysis of cost concerns, benefit, efficiency and effectiveness in training and procedures of the police shot and feasible in relation to the acquisition of the
simulator. For this, we add some details of Interseg and the IACP, the most important
conferences to the interests of Public Security. With the establishment of semi-
directives for instructors of police shooting and the method Giraldi, trying to ascertain
the views of instructors of the state, in relation to the theme of this work, thus, raising
criticism both positive and negative, highlighting the discussion sponsored by topic in
question and exposing their views on the subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Ahead of the displayed presentation of the IVR 4G 360°, we could arrive at a conclusion: none of the methodologies used in the instructions of Police Shot arrives at the maximum reality, therefore they are about simulated procedures. It constitutes an investment in the long run, the cost with the used ammunition in the instructions and courses of continued qualification, would pay the value of the simulator. Valley to stand out that the investment in the long run will have this increased time, with the implantation of the Center of Recharge in the State of Mato Grosso, in 2009, that it will reduce the cost of the real ammunition, one of the impediments of the constant instructions deTiro Policeman.
----------------------------------------------------------------
IVR 4G 360° IVR 4G 360° is a simulator of shots produced by the Virtra System, a North American company, located in the city of Tempe, in the State of Arizona. The Virtra System acts in the market since 1993, as producing of simulation, creating small training with firearms, that recriam the real scenes of performance of the policemen, of form whom they consist of the taking of decisions with extreme precision, when the policeman if it comes across with situations, where the life and the death is well next, everything this for intermediary of virtual simulators. The Virtra System, knowing that the combatant professionals of the crime, more necessarily the policemen, many times must take decisions correct, with excellent skill in shot, fractions of second, when life situations of and death are come across with and that, how much better it will be the training, greaters are the possibilities of the policeman to get success in a combat, still more when lives will be at risk and the threats will be real. In virtue of this, the Virtra System created the IVR360°. IVR 360° is the first simulator of shots of high definition and with multiple screens, next to the real world that any another one. The screens measure 2.8m of height and 3m of width. Moreover, its floor is of approximately, 50 cm of thickness, and under it has 4 engines that they simulate seismic abalos, enhancing still more the sensation of reality of the simulations. The IVR 4G 360° takes care of in such a way to the policies, how much the armies. This is possible thanks to the decurrent versatility of the creation of softwares.
The pupils can be filmed, during the tickets for the paraauxiliar simulator and to supply recitals to the evaluations of its users. This is carried through, through the system PIP, that includes a camera more, the seventh camera, responsible for the filming of all the training. The IVR 4G 360° exceeds many objectives of the training and presents excellent relation cost/benefit. The training in the simulator saves time and money. If me the high costs with the ammunition, the IVR 4G in the long run offers a superior training with little expenses, resulting in a economy. For in such a way, the VirtraSystems carried through a study and confeccia two graphs, with the cost of the police real ammunition training using itself and of the device offered for the simulator. Cost for
Room for a Digital Shoot-House, maybe?
Sir Felix,
Thanks for more feedback on the trip, it helps. Was always wondering how Threat D. was going to work in a digital shoot house, so maybe that space? Just a guess.
Truth is, this whole Threat Dynamics/ Virtra Systems operation has got me very antsy. It smells like the Future, in a big way. Virtra (imo) was smart not to grant these boys an exclusive outside this country...
This form of media outlet is too -big for law enforcement. Even including the body military. So, what remains is the largest consumer base -us.
So maybe Threat D. grows enough that they need to partition off the specific needs/groups using the facility. Good for them. Maybe they grow some more and start another facillity.
Great, but what about Virtra?
Sure V. get's their "cut" of revenues (% unknow), but is Virtra truly "investing" in Threat D. by-way-of loaning Threat D. the simulators in exchange for a revenue sharing position. Perhaps.
Or maybe Virtra Systems, out of a position of strength (like with Agora Telecom), dangled the exclusivity deal that Threat Dynamics absolutely needed, for a slice off the top!?
You know, more a strong-arm partnership than an investment in operations.
Equipment would then be sold not loaned, and Virtra throws in gratis the latest content updates (which really is as important as the system itself) for the deal closer? Maybe some "expensive" peripheral equipment -gun inserts etc., too?
Imagine Threat D. for second, hitting a complete homer with their Portland facility, but lacking any exclusivity agreement with Virtra....hhmm.
The result would not be so nice, because Threat D. is
TOTALLY reliant on equipment, peripherals, and an immediate extensive library of high quality content from...
ONE SOURCE PROVIDER.
Virtra.
Honestly, where is Threat D. going to go....Meggitt? Would anyone here pay 35$/hour to use a FATS system?
Without an exclusive, any opportunistic business-type, seeing the success at Portland, could buy IVR systems, and open up a corner shop.
You know, thank Threat Dynamics for proving
it's marketable to the public, then they bankroll a bunch before T.D. can put the finishing touches to their 3rd operation. And then a third competitor jumps into the fray.
And all along, Virtra is selling systems to whomever. In fact, an exclusive deal might simply stifle the sales process for VTSI. Who wants to pay a Franchise fee to Threat D. when
everything is dependent on Virtra's know-how anyway?
Anyway, this is all just a guess, but my swami turbin is itchy and that's money for sure, so am looking for a record
1st quarter 2009 for Virtra, and hoping we drove a hard bargain with Threat D. so we can book 3 more units as revenue!
imawswami
Threat D....preparing for military invasion?
The website/biz change -am wondering if this is in preparation for demo'ing to the military.
Notice how the spacing is unusual between the two links (law enforcement and civilian) on the homepage. It seems apparent that adequate space across the page has been measured out for a third link.
Obviously, Military.....
Which get's a person thinking, that Threat D., which has done demo's with various law enforcement angencies, has yet to place on the calendar any military meet-and-greets.
Guess those are coming after the house cleaning.....
Next Virtra Scenario Bestseller: Seals vs. Somali Pirates!!
:)
imawswami
Threat Dynamics reshaping website
Just a guess but it looks likes Threat D. business has grown to the point where the company feels the need to now clearly delineate between civilian and professional use of the facility.
The website is currently being updated to reflect customer orientation. Enforcement or civilian.
IMO, this is a very good sign of business in general.
Currently, only the enforcement link is functioning. Give it a bit, early this morning the whole site was down, so it's coming.
http://www.threatdynamics.com/
imawswami
The latest from Threat Dynamics......
Starting April 30th Threat D. will be offering a series of classes offering tactical training to civilians. Think Gunsite on CO2. A whole lot more dynamic, without any fear of your typical range accidents....
With Tactical Home Defense April 30th, Threat D. with begin offering various levels of Tactical Defensive Shooting instruction (offered separately from Home Defense) throughout the coming month and at various times to accommodate everyone!
http://www.threatdynamics.com/news/
Oh, and there's an ammo sale going on today with the in-house pro shop Extreme Products. [check threat d. calendar...which BTW has filled in nicely lately]
http://www.extreme-products.net/
Is it just me, or does it seem that every month Threat D. has got some new twist to show us.
At this rate, come August (6 month point of operation) we just might read them breaking ground for site #2. And this time they'll be done test marketing and up for more Virtra equipment than Portland.
My guess is New Jersey, but San Diego works better for me...;^)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tactical Home Defense Class
Thursday, April 30, 6-9 p.m.
Northwest Regional Training Center
5831 NW Cornelius Pass Road
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Enroll by calling (503) 597-7033
Class Description
Purpose: The purpose of the Tactical Home Defense (THD) course is to combine the elements of environmental surroundings and preparedness to maximize survivability of innocents in intruder events such as home invasion or other direct threats to human life.
Goal of Training: To have successful trainees proactively apply their training to develop a robust security plan for their home.
Topics Covered:
Home Security and Early Warning Systems
Designing a Family Emergency Plan
Cover vs. Concealment
Emergency Power Cut-off Systems
Retreat Options/Egress Methods
Your Rights and Responsibilities Under the Law
Keeping Your Environment Simple and Defensible
Communication with 911/Law Enforcement Responders
Shooting Tactics in the 7-Yard Environment*
Left/Right/Prone Barrier Shooting*
Weapons Placement/Availability/Type*
Reactive Shooting from Hip/Sitting/Prone*
Developing the Combat Instinct/Shooting for Keeps*
Targeting the Occupied Area of the Aggressor*
Both Eyes Open Shooting Stances and Techniques*
*Shooting-related topics are introductory in the Tactical Home Defense curriculum. Further refining these skills by taking the Level 1 Tactical Defensive Shooting Class (offered separately) is highly recommended.
Cost and Availability: THD classes are available on various dates during the month, both day and evening hours. Visit ThreatDynamics.com for exact times and dates. Most classes are limited to a maximum number of 20 students and take about 3 hours to complete.
Classes cost $120, which includes use of Threat Dynamics ranges and firearms during the class.
Private and small group instruction is available on a reservation basis.
For questions, please call (503) 597-7033.
Congrats Sanswire on 1st commericial model!
Am liking what am seeing. Thank Dr. Kroplin and team
and Sanswire for not turning out the lights!
To a long and prosperous future......
pete
SirFelix see post #23317 VTSI highlighted.eom
Bacchus17, you may want to add...
2 more IVR-300's @ 300k that the Brasilian gov't has stated they are committed to buying sometime this year. They are waiting on a more favorable exchange rate to finalize deal.
Also, not sure if you are avoiding factoring in (due to unknown partnership arrangements) the 3 units that Threat Dynamics acquired from Virtra sometime before 3-09.
Because of the lack of specifics on this deal, it's probably prudent to at least count on Virtra to have added something here to your estimated sales revenues 2009.
Represented either as some portion of the total dollar amount of the three units (example: Virtra books 50% of the 400-500k of equipment to Threat D. ) or a percentage (maybe 20%) of there value every year to approximate Virtra's monthly cut of revenues....just guessing.
Either way, am figuring you could add another 700-800K to your estimates for 2009 based on the above.....
Lonexi to exhibit Virtra at MX trade show
Lonexi has a booth at the 7th International Exhibition of Security In Mexico City this month from 21st-23rd.
While not listed under EXHIBITOR , they will occupy booth #84 near the southeast entrance. Check the floorplan link at the bottom of the page to view the exact size/location.
http://www.exposeguridadmexico.com/e/index-e.php
It certainly looks like Virtra's distributor has bumped-it-up-a-notch, as last year Lonexi did not attend this trade show.
Sir Felix, also wanted to say thanks for checking in on Threat
Dynamics. Strongly suspect this operation is going to rock our little stock once it hits stride with other locations.
Great ssparsons.let's hope ThreatD does the same
A Pr in the same week from Virtra on sales and Threat Dynamics regarding the lastest addition to their facility.
-A Pro Shop. Well, almost.....
http://www.extreme-products.net/
Smart call with ThreatD cross marketing, and who knows, judging by the way things are ramping up here, could easily imagine buying CO2 mags & upper insert for the ol'handgun, and oh....a custom threat-fire Vest. Very clever.
Give them time and it will happen.
imawswami
Hey T, probably another here for Virtra.......
Expomil 2009 (Nov) is the Romanian gov't/Eastern Europe's
defense trade show. Though it does not yet list the Exhibitors attending (too early), have high level of confidence that Virtra/Tess-Com will be there. Why?
1. Tess-Com was there for Expomil 2007
2. Tess-Com has a simulation/training office in Romania
3. Virtra just hired a Sales Executive with heavy experience in repping to Eastern European.
http://www.expomil.ro/engleza/index.php
Welcome to Expomil
ROMEXPO S.A is pleased to invite you to take part in the 6th edition of the International Exhibition
of Military Technology, EXPOMIL, which takes place during the 11th - 14th of November 2009 at the
Romexpo Exhibitions Center from Bucharest.
Organized together with the Ministry of Defense, Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of
Administration and Internal Affairs, ROMARM S.A. and PATROMIL, this event presents the latest
novelties in military technology and creates a proper environment for business meetings.
The former edition reunited 100 companies from 18 countries on a total surface of 6800 sqm.
The main fields presented at EXPOMIL 2009 are, as follows: terrestrial troops, aviation, marine;
command, control, communication and information systems; mine field neutralization; internal
security equipment, arms and defense systems; equipment and basic facilities for mission supports;
protection, safety, survival and risk equipment; uniforms, clothing and personnel apparel, services.
For your registering at EXPOMIL 2009, we attach the participation forms and kindly ask you to fill
them in and mail them, no later than the 1st of June, 2009.
end
---------------------------------------------------------
Personal Observation:
There certainly seems to be a tremendous # of defense trade shows this year, which is probably a reflection of the unusually unstable economic and socio-political condition.
Whether or not any nation/organization has the money to plunk down is of course another matter......
Obviously then, one more reason to enjoy the newly created sales channel Virtra possesses with Threat Dynamics.
I keep imagining all the consumer dollars poured into
competitive trials & equipment within the paint ball industry, and revele in the realization ThreatD/Virtra could be on the ground floor of just such a market -with Virtra solely in possession of such ground-breaking equipment.
imawswami
What Tess-Com is doing with Virtra
Teeroy & others,
Here's the latest out of Tess-Com Italia, the european distributor of Virtra System equipment.
As recently as March 26-29, Tess was repping Virtra
at the 2009 European & Mediterranean Exposition for Public
Security & Defense:
http://www.securityexpo.it/htm/uk/primapagina.asp
Here's the write-up Virtra received at the Security Expo in the daily show news. Top of the page -nice:
http://www.armyrecognition.com/2009_mois_news_actualites/security_expo_2009_show_daily_news_the_european_and_mediterranean_exposition_for_public_security_and.html
-------------------------------------------------------------
Again, we are seeing lots of recent exposure from these kinds of trade shows. Solid.
Virtra to exhibit at ILEETA 4/20-25/2009
International Law Enforcement Trainers and Educators Association Conference in Chicago
http://www.ileeta.org/Conference_2009.htm
[see exhibitor list at bottom of page]
Nice to see Virtra continue to make good on it's promise to push promotional efforts.
----------------------------------------------------------
Learned,
Agreed. Have learned that if you want to be successful in business, start by looking at the dinosaur industries -those that have not seen fundmental change in eons. Then ask,
why?
While part of me believes that Threat D. is seeking advantage in the marketplace by capitalizing on the reluctance of enforcement to invest in a superior [read expensive] training system, another part is saying....there's more here than meets the eye.
See how quickly the company moved beyond "training facility"
to public shooting...four weeks.
This was planned. A soft roll-out to law enforcement, as a nod
to civil order and to those who have had some exposure to simulatoin training.
Then quick-step to full embrace of the larger TARGET audience. GP or General Public -who have certainly NEVER experienced anything like Virtra's equipment.
This system has the capacity to go well beyond ENHANCING the public shooting experience of static targets and the indoor range experience.
That realm of entertaiment focused on sensory overload is the goal...imo.
Proof. The stage vibrates at Threat Dynamics.
Virtra has a system that has yet to be fully utilized in the commerical world. Software/and or video content coupled with existing peripherals could extend the immersive experience far beyond what is available at Threat Dynamics presently.
It is extremely rare to see an industry start from scratch
(like TD) with tech waiting in the wings to expand the offering....substantially & immediately. It's kind of like exposing the public to coffee for the very first time, then turning around to offer Latte, Cappuccino, & Expresso.
Too wild.
As far as a press release on the 10K, no have not seen one
Learned.
take care.....
Threat D/league nights on Craig's list
Portland Craig's List:
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cls/1099641469.html
4/7: Shooting League/ Shooting Competition (Threat Dynamics/ Hillsboro)
Date: 2009-03-30, 2:40PM PDT
Tactical News
April Tactical Tuesday Shooting League
What: A tactical shooting league for 4 man teams.
When: Beginning Tuesday April 7, and running each Tuesday night concluding April 28 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Threat Dynamics Regional Training Center at 5831 NW Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro, OR. 97124.
Your four man team will shoot our virtual combat ranges in head-to-head competition with the other teams in the league. All teams will shoot our specially developed Glock Model 17 and Model 22 combat handguns, provided by us for your use. Weekly prizes and a grand champion team prize will be awarded.
Cost: $160.00 per four man team, less than a few boxes of ammunition would cost.
How does the technology work: Threat Dynamics is the world leader in immersive small arms training for Law Enforcement and the Military. Our technology is used to train the US Secret Service, US Marshall’s, US DEA, US Army, US Marines and numerous local and state Law Enforcement agencies. Our training system utilizes 90 degree and 300 degree immersive virtual environments to teach rapid target acquisition and use-of-force judgmental shooting skills. The Tactical shooting league will shoot the same ranges that our agency and military partners utilize in training.
To register your team for the April Tactical Tuesday shooting league contact us at (503) 597-7033 M-F 8-5 Space is limited and available on a first to register basis.
We also have open drop-in times for individual or team practice most weekdays. Call for availability and prices.
Location: Threat Dynamics/ Hillsboro
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1099641469
end
---------------------------------------------------------------
Their may be those investors that view Threat Dynamics as marketed primarily to law enforcement/military as a tool for training, while accomodating the public where they can. This did seem to be the central focus going out the gate for TD at the March opening.
But again, as we are seeing from this ad and previously posted company monthly calendar, Threat Dynamics is fully embracing the public at large, and judging by today's Cubic award
(CUB competes against VTSI in dismounted small arms simulation market), this appears a solid strategy for partnering Virtra.
[Cubic PR 4-6-09]
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Cubic-Corporation-NYSE-CUB-970714.html
Why?
Offering a superior system, Virtra has landed minor sales contracts with the US military, while the captains of industry continue to garner the lions share of larger contracts -like today. Political connections, legacy support, and broad product line help to perpetuate this cycle.
Virtra's expanding emphasis on international trade shows & allignment with foreign distributors is a beautiful strategy, paying off dividends now and hopefully more in the future.
But, while this may put some pressure on the domestic military powers-that-be, to me, the slap-in-the-face to the Cubic's, & AIS' types is the wholly unique marketing approach Threat D. & Virtra S. are launching here in the US. Threat picked the BEST system, obviously, because they have to sell it to the most dicriminating customer out there: The American Consumer.
No gov't dole, no kick-backs either. No cush contractor job for the gov't pleb who picks the system.
Nope, if the customer doesn't like it, the shop closes.
Pure capitalisim.
Much like the very public launch of Red Bull Energy Drink into the US soft drink industry. Take a deeply mature industry that hasn't fundmentally changed in a hundred years (like a shooting range or soda)......and shake-it-up. HD Vid/Audio, 300 degree intensity, real weapon, shoot-back smart opponent, open-ended scenarios coming out the wazoo, and playback captures the moment.
For the public.
That outta do it.
Exciting. Eyepopping. Cool.
Bowling? Just died.
If Threat Dynamics fails, Virtra spread out the risk so it continues.
If the model succeeds? In this country there are more private gun owners, paint-ballers & computer game fanatics to cater too then there are soldiers/law enforcement (not that they are excluded with T.D. & Virtra, but by Cubic types). What better customer then.....everyone. Franchise anyone?
Sir Felix: try the "other" hand.....
"public" means public
The NRA yahoos and yourself included can simply walk in, pluck down, oh....around
$35 dollars
for 1 hour on the IVR-300.
You're actually buying range or scenario rounds, not time
(which is allocated based on range/scenarios you purchase), and in a one hour period a typical shooter would go through 5 range rounds or 5 scenarios, utilizing 300 rounds of simulated ammunition for $35 (or around 10.2 cents per shot), or 7 bucks per scenario/range is how my mind works with it).
They recommended i buy a 10 card pack, which would allow me to mix 5 ranges with 5 scenarios. Seemed like a good idea to me, for $70 bucks spent. Unused range/scenarios on the card, means you simply come back and finish them off later when you want....assuming time slot availability.
As for you asking Virtra if you can get some range/scenario time through VTSI, to be used at the Threat Dynamics facility...
Sounds like Virtra politely just expressed the "partnership" between the two companies.
"Pay to Play" at Threat Dynamics because they own the house, and their silent partner Virtra gets a monthly cut of the gross for "investing" equipment. That's just a personal take......
As for the address of Threat Dynamics, it's listed here:
"located at 5831 NW Cornelius Pass Road in Hillsboro, OR (Portland metro area), has several environments you can utilize for training. Following is a description of the facilities."
http://www.threatdynamics.com/?page_id=81
hope this helps with the visit to Portland...
pete
Threat Dynamics: Training or Shooting?
Like to rummage through the Threat Dynamics calendar? Maybe it helps in visualizing success/failure or an evolving business model for a newly opened operation, especially one so... unique.
http://www.threatdynamics.com/?page_id=243
March looked tough with lackluster sign-ups during the weekly training hours. April appears to be starting off better on introduction of Tuesday League nights and a couple of dates set aside for women-only gun safety sessions.
Then there's Clark County Sheriffs traveling from Washington State (about an hour drive according to Google Maps) to TD's Hillboro, Oregon facility to enjoy a 4 hour run of the whole roll (it's on a Tuesday, so maybe this is a sampler w/league intentions if they like the equipment).
Now all of this activity is completely to blueprint for Threat Dynamics. It's how they best describe themselves on the website.
But somewhere between March to April and Dollars & Cents, Threat Dynamics went from pure training facility for military/law enforcement/security (personal or business) customers to:
Public Shooting Range
And i like it!
Let's be honest. Why should enforcement solely savor the best immersive shooting experience to be had -at this point in time- anywhere on the Planet? [opinion only here folks... lol]
To deprieve the masses of hard-core PC/X-box gamers, or paint ball fanatics, or us local gun nuts, of the right to safely experience full-auto fire under simulated combat conditions... well it's unnatural.
it's unamerican.
Maybe unprofitable, too.
Which is why Threat Dynamics has this month transmuted itself from the pure leaden pose of TRAINING to GOLD...spelled:
OPEN PUBLIC SHOOTING
Now imagine Threat Dynamics intro'ing Virtra's 3D glasses/vid. in say 6 months..... People won't want to come out.lol.
Then Virtra's monthly cut goes 3D.
Then on to New Jersey for TD #2...
Anyway,
it's just
pete, shooting the breeze
full auto
Reinventing the Wheel/US ARMY style.
For the money that was spent on the project below, the US Army could have owned a IVR-180, busted a chair on the floor, and called in the troops for training in a far superior system.
Too funny, but again puts emphasis on the expansiveness of Virtra Systems wares. Tetherless, 360 degrees, self authoring, interactive, etc. etc. etc.
Next thing the gov't will have these "researchers" do is reinvent the threat-fire belt...lol.
Please see the photo of "their" system here:
http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/03/10/18020-immersive-technology-melds-hollywood-warrior-training/
Immersive technology melds Hollywood, warrior training
Mar 10
By C. Todd Lopez
The "FlatWorld Wide Area Mixed Reality" demonstration was a 3-D gaming environment that didn't require Soldiers to wear a visor that would tether them to a computer. The environment melds concepts of stagecraft from Hollywood, including real-world props, with technology and projection screens, to make a virtual world Soldiers can move around in and interact with.
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 10, 2009) -- Training technology development in California has demonstrated the possibility of having Soldiers walk through virtual environments that contain both real-world objects and simulated characters.
The Army has enlisted the help of the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California to push the limits of technology to create better, more immersive training environments for Soldiers.
The "FlatWorld Wide Area Mixed Reality" demonstration was a 3-D gaming environment that didn't require Soldiers to wear a visor that would tether them to a computer. The environment melds concepts of stagecraft from Hollywood, including real-world props, with technology and projection screens, to make a virtual world Soldiers can move around in and interact with.
"We have walls where the outside is projected in. Where you can have virtual humans interact with you in the spaces, or where you can project bullet holes onto the walls," said Dr. Randall Hill Jr., executive director of ICT. "It is enabling Soldiers to make decisions under stress, to practice, and to get experiences they wouldn't normally get in the school house or even in their unit before they deploy."
Hill said it is possible to track a Soldier's movement throughout the environment and to then manipulate the environment based on the position of the Soldier. Eventually, he said, it may be possible to create infinitely sized virtual training areas inside a finite training space. By changing the content on the life-size training screens, for example, Soldiers could cycle through the same training environment multiple times, but always see a new scenario or simulated environment.
The ICT is located in Los Angeles, Calif., near Hollywood -- the heart of America's entertainment industry. The Institute is, said Hill, a "nexus" between the entertainment industry, academia and the Army.
"We believe the key here is engagement," Hill said. "That's where the entertainment industry comes in and that's where we are trying to bring that capability in -- the technologies that we are developing to support interactive digital media for the purpose of training and for actually a lot of other uses too."
Many projects at ICT are "people-focused," Hill said. One of the most visible, now being used by Army Accessions Command, is the "Sergeant Star" program. Sergeant Star first appeared on the goarmy.com Web site as a non-animated character that answers questions for site visitors. The ICT team was asked to turn Sergeant Star into something more.
Now, the virtual-NCO is available "in person" at Future Farmers of America events, NASCAR races and other venues where the Army reaches out to audiences for recruiting. Sergeant Star is projected at full size on a screen and can interact with potential Army recruits, answering questions about life in the Army, enlistment opportunities, and jobs in uniform.
Hill said Sergeant Star is a demonstration of the kind of "autonomous characters" ICT wants to include in virtual training environments -- characters that students can have meaningful interaction with.
"It's about being about to have a conversation with them, a social interaction with these characters," he said. The characters can reason about the environment, express emotion and communicate through not only speech, but also gesture, he said. "We want to give them the ability to perceive you and your gestures and facial expressions."
Hill said the Army could use more advanced versions of characters like Sergeant Star as training coaches or even as virtual patients where Soldiers are being trained to interact with somebody who may be a sexual assault victim.
Other ICT projects include the ELECT BiLAT social simulation. The immersive simulation allows Soldiers to learn negotiation skills with Iraqi leaders, where the student must pay special attention to cultural sensitivities and must negotiate a "win-win" agreement between both parties.
Threat Dynamics starts League Nights April
It'll go something like this at the local sheriff departments in and around greater Portland:
"Tired of bowling....Let's get good shooting Prep's, drink Brew, And Compete Intra-Deptmentally at the state-of-the-art immersive training center <<Threat Dynamics>>.. Those SWAT guys aren't so tough...
No, better yet..... let's get good -then challenge the FBI!!
No, wait, The Seals....yeah. Them...
Let the games begin!
http://www.threatdynamics.com/?page_id=243
[flip calendar to April]
Tactical Tuesday Shooting League
When:
Tue, April 7, 7pm – 9pm
Where:
5831 NW Cornelius Pass Rd. Hillsboro OR 97124 (map)
Description:
Four person teams, shooting in completion on a wide array of shooting challenges. Tactical Tuesday Shoot League night will be held on the second Tuesday of each month for four months starting April 7th. The cost will be $160.00 per team. Contact Threat Dynamics with questions or to sign up.
503-896-7508 See you there!
Sami, maybe this........
Hey Sami, what is being referred to is not the product, but the company. That is Raven Industries being discussed and not
The Raven UAV.
Raven Industries with it's Sub Aerostar & US Gov't produces the Hi Sentinel. This is the Stratospheric beast that is "one step ahead".
Funny thing is, High Sentinel was not the first airship to operate under powered flight at such altitude. That distinction belongs to a group that has long since gone silent with their strat project.
It's late and am not fact checking right now, but
the latest from Hi Sentinel: in June 2008 their airship, sometime after launching suffered catastrophic failure. The payload (com/battery/propulsion) separated from the balloon/solar array. They are now somewhere into the process of producing another with a larger payload capacity.
Personal take is that they had/have a problem with going up flacid (like a weather balloon) with a payload operating as engine/battery/fuel cell/com link/etc. etc.... This is opinion only but this is the limiting factor to using this method to haul up a sizable payload.
From aerostar.com the Hi Sentinel people:
[2005]
"Tuesday’s flight carried a sixty-pound equipment pod to 74,000 feet on a five-hour flight—only the second airship in history to achieve powered flight in the stratosphere."
hope this helps...and good night.
SirFelix..new Virtra footage Fox12 3-17-09
This is an expanded (from 45 seconds to 2:58) version of the vid you posted on 3/10/09 at #23245.
http://www.kptv.com/video/18950682/index.html
Great to see media delve deeper into the features that make Virtra so cutting edge. Let's hope those poli's do come out to see what's cookin at Threat Dynamics.
ps. hilarous to watch the reporter put a "cap" into a cell-phone packing driver. This is what Virtra is all about....
pete
Coasti....yes, read that earlier, but
as the translation goes:
--------------------------------------------------------------
[Kamal Alavi, founder Stratxx]
“The project continues to go invariably”, says it. The insolvency request “by a company” resulted “from an error and in the next three weeks was eliminated”. Alavi did not want to call the name of the company. “This concerns a jealous competitor. It goes around 20.000 Swiss francs”, added Alavi."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Seems like 20,000 francs to maybe a debtor cleared it up.
Latest news (Feb. 2009) out from those guys is the planned expansion of facilities/employees to accommodate production of 50 aerostats, so am discounting liquidation theory at this point.
http://www.zisch.ch/navigation/top_main_nav/nachrichten/zentralschweiz/obwalden/detail.htm?client_request_className=NewsItem&client_request_contentOID=308496
Have personally never looked into Kamal's business ventures prior to Stratxx, so that is interesting stuff.
Follow his current efforts somewhat through a couple Swiss journals.
thanks for the input.
pete
Pentagon to build spy blimp/ not awarded
Am posting this, not so much for the blimp itself, but the quote:
"The project reflects a shift in Pentagon planning and spending priorities under Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has urged the military services to improve intelligence and surveillance operations while cutting high-tech weaponry costs."
When a Global Hawk costs over 58 million dollars (operating costs not included) a pop and operates for 35 hours, a stratospheric LTA craft seems an attractive alternative. -imawswami
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-spyblimp13-2009mar13,0,4608400.story
Pentagon plans blimp to spy from new heights
The giant dirigible would use radar to closely and constantly monitor activity on the ground from 65,000 feet.
By Julian E. Barnes
March 13, 2009
Reporting from Washington -- The Pentagon said Thursday that it intends to spend $400 million to develop a giant dirigible that will float 65,000 feet above the Earth for 10 years, providing unblinking and intricate radar surveillance of the vehicles, planes and even people below.
"It is absolutely revolutionary," Werner J.A. Dahm, chief scientist for the Air Force, said of the proposed unmanned airship -- describing it as a cross between a satellite and a spy plane.
Eye in the skyThe 450-foot-long craft would give the U.S. military a better understanding of an adversary's movements, habits and tactics, officials said. And the ability to constantly monitor small movements in a wide area -- the Afghanistan- Pakistan border, for example -- would dramatically improve military intelligence.
"It is constant surveillance, uninterrupted," Dahm said. "When you only have a short-time view -- whether it is a few hours or a few days -- that is not enough to put the picture together."
The project reflects a shift in Pentagon planning and spending priorities under Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has urged the military services to improve intelligence and surveillance operations while cutting high-tech weaponry costs.
If successful, the dirigible -- the brainchild of the Air Force and the Pentagon's research arm -- could pave the way for a fleet of spy airships, military officials said.
However, it marks the return to a form of flight that has stirred anxiety and doubt since the 1937 Hindenburg disaster. Thirty-six people were killed when that airship went up in flames in New Jersey.
The military has used less-sophisticated tethered blimps -- called aerostats -- to conduct surveillance around military bases in Iraq. But flying at 65,000 feet, the giant airship would be nearly impossible to see, beyond the range of any hand-held missile, and safe from most fighter planes.
And its range would be such that the spy craft could operate at the distant edges of any military theater, probably out of the range of surface-to-air missiles as well.
The Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance abilities have improved dramatically in the last five years with the expansion of the Predator and other drones. Although such craft can linger over an area for a long time, they do not watch constantly.
The giant airship's military value would come from its radar system. Giant antenna would allow the military to see farther and with more detail than it can now.
"Being able to observe threats [and] understand what is happening is really the game-changing piece here," Dahm said.
The dirigible will be filled with helium and powered by an innovative system that uses solar panels to recharge hydrogen fuel cells. Military officials said those underlying technologies -- plus a very lightweight hull -- were critical to making the project work.
"The things we had to do here were not trivial; they were revolutionary," said Jan Walker, a spokeswoman for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Pentagon's research arm.
The Air Force has signed an agreement with DARPA to develop a demonstration dirigible by 2014. The prototype will be a third as long as the planned surveillance craft -- known as ISIS, for Integrated Sensor Is the Structure, because the radar system will be built into the structure of the ship.
While the military says the craft is closer to a blimp than a zeppelin -- which has a rigid external structure -- officials usually call the project an airship. Blimps get their shape from helium gas pressure.
The Pentagon has not yet awarded a contractor to build the prototype. Earlier work was done by Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach -- as well as Baltimore and other locations -- and by Lockheed Martin in Palmdale, Calif.; Akron, Ohio; and Denver.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Sami...some more
Stratxx is now focusing on providing telecom through the use of Aerostats. 50 16 meter balloons are to be manufactured for a customer. It was also mentioned in the same article that they are still pursuing/building a Zeppelin
style airship. So while they try to keep the dream alive, they will now produce the very product they hoped to compete against: cell towers. albeit 1000 meters tall.
From personal perpective, this is capitulation or face saving at the very least. Aerostats and stratospheric airships represent totally different craft designs/materials with business models that are direct competitors.
For myself, the only reason for this move is realization of a flaw in the strat model. Africa was customer #1 for their STRATXX airship, and presto they're peddling balloons in Nigeria.
Now throw into the mix the sudden return of Lockheed.
Yes, Sami, THERREEEEE BACK!!!
By August Lockheed Martin will (they say) be operating a HAA prototype at 60,000ft for........ two weeks. (gee, wonder where the funds came for that? hmmm. Maybe from back in Summer 2008).
HiSentinel also is working to rebuild with a larger craft coming.
Now add to this all the great tech. developments lately, and i got to tell you Sami, it seems very strange for Stratxx to be changing their business plan so....radically. Two steps back, and maybe one forward is how i read them at this point.
So if i'm one of many European technology partners currently hooked-up with the STRATXX project and i look around and everyone is angling to place a ship at 60,000ft this year, and my guy is going with Aerostats as the A-team.....what do you do, what do you do?
Sami, hope this helps.
pete
Nerd: TAO MnD AG includes STRATXX players
Personal take on recent funding at Sanswire:
See post 109625 & comments on R. Ritter:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=34061836
excerpt:
-------------------------------------------------------------
"So is Rich [RITTER] looking to hedge his bet here? Don't know.
What is known is that Stratxx has a lot of tech partners that provide some very specific airship know-how. They also seem very intent on providing services to particular regions (most notably Africa & the Middle East).
http://www.stratxx.com/partners/manufacturing-partners/
Question is, what happens if the Stratxx doesn't work?"
--------------------------------------------------------------
Nerd,
Rich Ritter's Swiss law firm was involved, way back in 2005 with the beginings of Stratxx (Europe's answer to a Stratospheric airship company). This obviously, predates any involvement with Tao Technologies and TAO MND AG.
Matching recent events at STRATXX with Sanswire funding PR's, it appears more Swiss francs are going into Sanswire's cash box (via TAO MnD AG) as a hedge (against "redirected" efforts at STRATXX) by those Stratxx-aligned entities dedicated to a stratospheric business model.
This is not to say Tao T. and Kroplin will succeed with their Stratospheric model, but that investors/ tech. partners in the 60,000ft floating STRATXX telecom venture appear sadly out of luck.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, that Swiss firm is now focused on producing AEROSTATS tethered (by way of cabling) 1000 meters off the ground, to function as a cell tower. Guess they can drop the "Strat" in Stratxx now -XX will do.
Nerd, fwiw, this is where the research leads me. Hope this helps with yours.
pete.
Teeroy, Threat Dynamics=new dynamic
Yes, am excited. To have a new retail channel
(creating the opportunity for an exclusive national license) for Virtra's wares is always a good thing, but this one changes the picture considerably.
Yes, a police force/ military unit may train there...as a unit. But, my hunch is, the the bread and butter of this operation will be individual officers seeking or required to seek supplemental training, or tune-up, prep for qualification, or test their own mettle against the closest thing to real world threats available. Too cool.
Maybe am wrong, but it's easy to imagine Threat Dynamics evolving into the 21st Century response to the static shooting range.
Maybe that's why TD sought out exclusivity?
Thanks T.
PS. Did you notice the mention of "3-D" in the Brazilian article on the sale of 2 300's to that nation? I believe this is the first sale of it's kind, involving 3d system V. developed with Christie & others back in 2007.....
T-here's an article on your NSW VR bid
Too bad a Virtra pic was not used in the piece, though it was nice to see such a primitive system apparently up for bid.
...And if they (NSW) will be building a new facility (as mentioned) my quess is they won't "skimp on the shimp for the new barbee."
imawswami
http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/virtual-reality-range-for-nsw-police/2009/01/03/1231003886145.html
Virtual reality range for NSW Police
Taking aim … police have called for tenders for a virtual reality shooting range. The picture above was supplied by Meggitt Training Systems, which will bid for the project.
Edmund Tadros
January 4, 2009
THE NSW Police Force will spend about $2 million on a virtual reality shooting range as senior officers blame a lack of training for recruits being frightened of firearms.
The police academy at Goulburn has "only six lanes" available for live fire, according to a tender request for the new training simulator.
In the past, recruits have used public shooting ranges to supplement their training.
"The capacity of this [Goulburn] facility has been exceeded due to an increasing number of recruits," the tender document states.
Senior police say the lack of access to shooting ranges has resulted in some younger officers receiving so little practice that they are scared of using their guns.
Officers also claim their annual day-long firearms requalification training is inadequate, leaving them unprepared to use their weapons in dangerous situations.
The criticisms come after the shooting of 48-year-old Susan Bandera in Sydney last month by a 35-year-old female constable who has been in the force for two years.
Virtual ranges involve replica guns, complete with recoil, being "shot" at scenarios on a video screen, via wireless technology.
The force will pay $1 million for a building plus $850,000 for the computer system, which may be operational by September.
"We have a lot of young cops who are scared of guns," a senior officer told The Sun-Herald.
"They are deployed most of the time and do not get enough access to training and other courses - it's a major problem."
Another officer said the once-a-year requalification program was not enough: "It's amazing an innocent bystander hasn't been shot. We all know it's a pathetic level of training - command say it comes down to money and a lack of resources."
Opposition police spokesman Michael Gallacher said officers should have more firearms training.
"These simulators are very advanced but quite simply nothing will replace live fire training needed to allow officers to learn how to use their weapons at a moment's notice," he said. "The idea of the training is to get a feel for the pressure of the situation of actually using the firearm that you're going to be issued. I'd be concerned we're now reducing live fire training and replacing it with the Nintendo Wii."
Police Association spokesman Greg Black said the union supported virtual training as long as it did not replace live training.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy defended the force's training regimen, saying there would be no reduction in live training.
"The use of a weapons simulator [will allow] NSW Police to train students more frequently in a more efficient and technologically advanced manner," he said.
Mr Corboy said he had received no complaints about the yearly training program or officers being concerned about using their guns. end article.
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one other write up :
Virtual reality to help NSW police overcome gun fear
James Hall 07 January 2009 - 04:24 · 6 comments & 867 views
In New South Wales, Australia, virtual reality is about to help rookie cops tame their fear of handling and using firearms in crisis situations. The costs are high (AUD 1 million for the facility and AUD 850,000 for the computer system), but the hope is that police will learn to handle their guns in settings more "true to life" than can be found in a traditional shooting range.
A lack of proper training has been blamed for the current state of affairs which has seen many new cops frightened of touching their weapons. According to one senior officer, "We have a lot of young cops who are scared of guns."
It is also believed that this inexperience can be a danger to public saftey (take the recent accidental shooting of a 48-year-old woman in Sydney by a constable with only two years on the job).
The problem started with a shortage of old-style shooting ranges and a growth in the number of new recruits. Virtual shooting ranges offer a more realistic training option, allowing police to practice with a number of different firearms in a host of scenarios.
Computer simulations are not, however, going to be used to replace traditional ranges entirely. Still, although a new traditional-style shooting range would cost less, the belief here is that virtual reality will complement already available training options and help to reduce gun fear dramatically among police.
Tee thnx, and more......
Teeroy,
Great find on the Australian bid. Along the same line, it looks like Virtra is going to place two more 300 systems down Brazil's way, at least based on this article found here:
http://www.diariodaamazonia.com.br/canais.php?ch=Capital¬i=1490
Like the angle on ammo savings, something that may not necessarily appeal to US military, certainly strikes a strong cord with the rest of the world.
15/01/09 - 08:46
Tecnologia americana chega em RO
Heres the Babelfish translated version from the Portuguese:
15/01/09 - 08:46 American technology arrives in RO
Military, civil policemen and until penitentiary agents of Rondônia will have, from the second fortnight of the next month, equipment of last generation for trainings of diverse dangerous situations. Everything in 3D. The System of Training and Simulation of Tiros (STST), as it is the name of the device of last generation, composes six screens, can be used by five people in a space of 10X10m, with 30 “real” scenes of combat.
The equipment, used only in Manaus, comes imported of the United States, it is manufactured in Fênix and it arrives at the State to save expenses with the ammunition and to enable responsible professionals in guaranteeing the tranquillity of the population. It cost to the safes of the Secretariat of Security, Defense and Citizenship (Sesdec) R$ 750 a thousand and is well similar to the game Counter Strike - one of the preferred ones the frequentadores of lan-houses.
Visibly empolgado with the technological idea, that promises to mainly improve the performance of the professionals in scenes of low, average and high risk, the secretary of security, Evilásio Sena, it said that the system is what it exists of more modern in training in the exterior. It still informed, when entering expenditures in the acquisition of the ammunition in 2008, the value of R$ 1 million expenses in training with policemen.
“With this device, beyond not losing time in the estruturação of scenes, we will not have great costs with shipment”, explained. Capital The proposal initial, according to Sena, is to initiate the training in the Capital due the population growth with the arrival of great investments and the problems that this causes, as the rise of crime. However, still this year, the goal is to acquire more two devices to be destined to the interior of the State. “We are only waiting the moment to buy more cheap, since the equipment is imported and suffered alteration in the value, currently between R$ 1 to the 1,2 million”, declared.
For the representative of the multinational Virtra Systems, responsible for the installation of the STST, Wail Gomes, the equipment takes 10 days on average to be mounted. After soon, according to it, all and any type of situation - since noises, footprints and engatilhar of a weapon - can be felt who will be in the front of the device. “Moreover, the policeman will use a belt that will accomplish a shock in case that it is reached during `combate' in the screen”, he complemented. The projection screens total surround the environment of simulation training, providing combat the real environment sensation, adjusting the environments of 300º, or 180º, or still lined up in formation of Estande de Tiro. Sources: Landmarks Pablo
VTSI to attend IACP 2009
Virtra is booked to attend the 16th annual International Association of Chiefs of Police this....Oct.! in Denver.
The weird thing is, all the exhibitor space is already sold out.
Nice to see Virtra Systems locking this stuff up early...
http://www.theiacpconference.org/exhibitor_list-exh.cfm
Hey Sami.......a bit more.
Not many are interested in this stuff, so am always glad to
openly share with you [what little there is] and others alike in our smaller circle.
[the following is opinion only]
Stratxx is fascinating. One guy, with a design -on paper- that reads cool and clever: A high pressure nonrigid craft, hauling beneath itself a combo of glider/propulsion/payload unit into the stratosphere. To handle the tricky part
(descent), the glider with the goodies separates from the bag, and lands while the balloon induces a tear for it's downward drift.
The project began much later than Kroplin's stratospheric work, and quickly gathered various European monies and technology providers, pitching their respective wares to see what could "stick-to-the-ship".
Whereas Tao/Stuttgart endures as the scholarly tortoise, Stratxx proves the foil as adept marketing hare.
But this is not the greater divide. Nor, why Stratxx perpetuates weakness from an otherwise well funded/connected company.
This is simple:
Kamal is no Kroplin.
Kamal Alavi, the founder of Stratxx, does not breath Helium.
Kroplin is fusing tech, while the other seems confined by fundemental design constraints.
Example:
The propulsion issues which, as we openly read in this latest PR, reveal a company that is making (to my mind) a masterful attempt at blending/ not bending (stressing) technology to overcome current (not future) weakness. A Multidisciplined solution from that kind of mind is what makes precedents happen.
Am not reading the same at Stratxx and yet they face the same collection/storage issues Stuttgart does. Perhaps they have bigger issues to deal with, and perhaps this would bring the lawyers calling Sanswire.
nite Sami.
Mike, last thought...
Have been wrong plenty of times in the past, and this thought expressed may be the same.
But if it is truth, then as Sanswire moves closer to stratospheric testing/prospects, then so the line will snake on more of these types of subscription-style private placements.
We've already seen Globstar position their "mini-me" version, for 100k+, at the front of the line, and it makes sense....
if Sanswire/Tao has the goods.
The current number of suppliers of stratospheric, long duration, persistent crafts is zero. The first one out the chute will start production/sales based on the current size of prototype production facility. Those not in line will....
wait.
If this is truly satellite replacement, that line will be a function of demand. It should be long if no other competitors. imho.
This is one reason why it is so important that a company (when starting from SCRATCH) begins gearing up during prototyping/testing to produce an optimal number of commericial units early on.
Again, we are being tipped-off (imho) on the reality of commericial production, based simply on the sheeer quantities of and varieties of prototypes produced.
Volume production is slowly being build into Stuttgart, from what am reading currently. My opinion.
Variation in testing can equal line extensions/models/ form factors what-have-you in the commericial world. All of this is important inorder to have a great brand.
This though is no quarantee for success -one may have as many variations of a flawed concept to sell.
Hope this helps,
p
Bigsky, maybe this would help....
Have to agree with Bo, that it's nice to see recent testing, but would that particular run justify a 400% premium on the share price?
Who can say really, but what should be equally as interesting is this:
"why are individuals -who once sailed with the mighty STRATXX of Switzerland (our competitor)- now doing dipping the oars of our little dingy?"
In particular, am referring to Rich Ritter, the head of ILC Group (Swiss) that perhaps is looking to buy more overpriced SNSR shares.
http://www.moneyhouse.ch/u/pub/stratxx_holding_ag_CH-170.3.028.753-0.htm
Let's go back to the subject of testing...or lack thereof at STRATXX. This is a company with few test vehicles and a pocketbook that allows them the luxury of not batting an eye when one of their few smaller prototypes explodes on...OVERFILLING....at 1/2 million Swiss Francs a copy. Must be nice.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=31868887
Then again, prototypes aplenty -with more coming (per PR)- at Stuttgart. This is telling.
So is Rich looking to hedge his bet here? Don't know.
What is known is that Stratxx has a lot of tech partners that provide some very specific airship know how. They also seem very intent on providing services to particular regions (most notably Africa & the Middle East).
http://www.stratxx.com/partners/manufacturing-partners/
Question is, what happens if the Stratxx doesn't work?
Maybe some technology player wouldn't be selling much high tech/high pressure/light weight hull material without their primary customer.
Maybe some military contractor can't count on middle-manning those HAP's that he hoped Swiss engineering would produce. Or maybe his payloads stay grounded.
What of the Stratxx telecom partner? Not much to sell without a ship.
What's the contingency plan here? If your guy isn't testing, and the other team is and-AT WILL- what to do?
Maybe you queue-up for a few 100,000. Get some front group to pay-to-play for you.
Anyway, just some rambling thoughts Bigsky. Am waiting for testing at stratospheric levels to get excited, not at 10's of feet off the ground as this latest PR reveals....
hope this helps,
pete
About IITSEC 2008.................
It's nice to see the mention in the letter about Virtra attending IITSEC, but better still, in their own well proportioned booth (3017).
Believe last year we were under Christie's wing (this year C. is solo in 525)....
http://exhibits.iitsec.org/iitsec08/public/ExhibitorList.aspx?&pagenum=5