CTU Potchefstroom's visit to the SA Army School of Artillery

On 10 June 2014 the MCSD and BI students of the Potchefstroom campus went on a field trip to the School of Artillery. The School of Artillery is a military unit outside Potchefstroom that specialises in artillery training for members of the SA Army.

Part of the training capabilities at the unit is a state of the art simulation system that is used to train soldiers in various aspects of artillery. The visit focused around the programs that are used to operate these simulators and the capabilities it has in enhancing the effectiveness of the training that is presented.

The CTU students were briefed on the general operations of the unit and taken on a guided tour through the simulator buildings. These buildings are known as the CAST or the Centre for Artillery Systems training. The CAST consist out of two main buildings, the AST (Artillery Systems Training) building where intensive software training are conducted. The second building is known as the OVSS (Observer Visual Simulator System) where physical observer training are being conducted on the most advanced simulator of its kind on the African continent and world. Here we were shown a demo on how the systems work and how an observer will be training with regards to what he sees and how he will engage targets. The group were informed about the expertise required to write the programs that these systems are using.

We were then also afforded the opportunity to see the hardware of the SA Artillery first hand. This included a trip in a GV6 gun, the biggest gun in the arsenal of the SA Army.

We were exposed to a whole new world of possibilities with regards to programming and what it looks like in the industry. Although we were not allowed to physically see the programs’ make-up due to obvious security concerns, we did get a feel for the reality of what is available and possible in the market place.

Overall we had an extremely successful visit to the School of Artillery that was thoroughly enjoyed by all the members that were present. The Commanding Officer of the unit expressed his expectations to the students, and encouraged them to become members that can make a positive contribution to society and develop new technology that is desperately needed in the country. He also expressed the hope to see more of CTU’s students in future.