Cubic gets Army small arms training deal

Cubic Corp. will deliver its small arms training system and other defense-related products to Army installations in Iraq and Afghanistan under a new $6.8 million contract. The Engagement Skills Trainer 2000s also will be sent to the Army National Guard.

The trainer, validated by the Army Infantry School and the Air Force, teaches marksmanship skills, squad-level collective defense and judgmental "shoot-don't shoot" tactics. The system trains soldiers in the use of small arms, the 50-caliber M-2 machine gun and the 40mm Mark-19 grenade launcher.

Shoot-don't shoot tactics refer to the decision-making process soldiers go through when deciding whether to engage a target. Before they fire, soldiers must first determine whether they are following the Army's rules of engagement.

Cubic's Simulation Systems Division, based in Orlando, produces and manufactures Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, including its realistic and robust simulated weapons.

"This award will allow soldiers who have trained on EST 2000 in the United States to maintain their proficiency in Afghanistan and Iraq," said Terry Kohl, vice president and general manager of the division.

Cubic will deliver the virtual training systems and services under contract to the Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation and Training Instrumentation. Also included in the order are enhancements to currently fielded EST 2000 systems.

Cubic of San Diego ranks No. 83 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.