Bohemia delivers Synthetic Terrain Tool to U.S. Army

Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, is working with the U.S. Army Futures Command to deliver an end-to-end synthetic terrain capability as part of the Mission Planning Toolkit (MPT), aimed at improving operational readiness through realistic and immersive mission rehearsal.

According to BISim, the MPT recently achieved Initial Operating Capability following the integration of its Mantle terrain management platform.

The system enables the rapid generation of 3D, high-fidelity terrain using drone-captured imagery, allowing soldiers to plan and rehearse missions using synthetic environments that mirror real-world conditions. The terrain data is generated using source material from Skyline Software Systems and EagleView Technologies.

“BISim’s focus on operational readiness is evident in solutions like the MPT,” said Pete Morrison, Chief Product Officer at BISim.

“We have a deep understanding of military needs, and our developers are equipped to deliver transformative capabilities quickly and affordably. Significant advancements in our Mantle platform allow this training capability to translate to a broad range of customers, and we look forward to expanding its offerings to the industry.”

The MPT uses an autonomous drone to gather terrain imagery from a specific operational area, which is then streamed into virtual environments in real time, including within BISim’s VBS4 and Blue IG platforms. The company says this creates more accurate and detailed mission simulations, offering military planners greater situational awareness and more effective training.

Colonel William Shoemate, Commander of the 188th Infantry Brigade at Fort Stewart, Georgia, which is currently trialling the MPT, described the system as a “force multiplier” for Army Reserve and National Guard units. “In a resource-constrained environment, the STE Mission Planning Kit enables our partners to understand the operational environment and effectively plan training,” he said.

By enabling rapid terrain mapping and scenario generation, the MPT allows units to spend less time building plans and more time rehearsing them. Repetitive scenario-based training with the same terrain set enhances familiarity, enabling soldiers to identify potential problems before mission execution and improve battlefield decision-making.