FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michelene K. St. Amand
P: 617.876.8085 x144
F: 617.876.9208
mstamand@mak.com
FATS USES MÄK TECHNOLOGIES’ TOOLS FOR ARMY STRYKER CONTRACT WORK
VR-Link and MÄK Data Logger Used
Cambridge, Mass., June 30, 2005 ―MÄK Technologies, the world’s leading supplier of distributed simulation software, announced the use of VR-Link and the MÄK Data Logger in FATS embedded training systems in the U.S. Army Stryker vehicles. These tools will be part of simulation systems in 1,000 Stryker armored vehicles which FATS will deliver under a contract with General Dynamics Land Systems.
Bob Dare, vice president of sales for FATS remarked, "FATS is extremely pleased to have MÄK as a strategic partner. The ability to provide VR-Link and other superb products affords us the opportunity to stay on the leading edge of technology and be recognized as an industry leader."
Strykers are armored vehicles that combine firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility. The FATS simulation software will reside on a computer in more than 1,000 new vehicles, allowing the crew to switch into training mode. The vehicle then serves as a simulator, as scenarios play on interior displays and the crew engages the virtual enemy as if it were live.
"FATS use of our commercial tools in their embedded training systems for the Stryker, shows the cost effective nature of the commercial-off-the-shelf business model, even for large-scale deliverable systems," said Marc Schlackman, MÄK’s vice president of sales and marketing. "MÄK’s goal is to commoditize and commercialize common reusable software components that can be combined by integrators to build a variety of simulations more quickly and cost-effectively."
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FATS CHOOSES MÄK FOR STRYKER CONTRACT
VR-Link is a networking toolkit for linking simulations via the Department of Defense HLA and DIS networking protocols. It is the best-selling toolkit of its kind. MÄK Data Logger is a simulation recording and review system, used for after-action-review.
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD), manufactures the Stryker vehicles under contract with the U.S. Army. Headquartered in Sterling Heights, Mich., GDLS designs, manufactures and supports land and amphibious combat systems for the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations.
About FATS, Inc.
Firearms Training Systems, Inc. (OTC: FATS) designs and sells software and hardware simulation training systems that improve the skills of the world’s military, law enforcement and security forces. FATS training systems provide judgmental, tactical and combined arms experiences, utilizing company-produced weapons and simulators. The company serves U.S. and international customers from headquarters in Suwanee, Georgia, with branch offices in Australia, Canada, Singapore, Netherlands and United Kingdom. FATS, an ISO 9000 certified company, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2004. The company Web site is www.fatsinc.com.
About MÄK Technologies
MÄK Technologies develops software to link, simulate and visualize the virtual world. We create tools and toolkits for distributed simulations, develop PC-based military tactical trainers, craft custom solutions, and research and develop the latest simulation technologies. We build commercial off the shelf simulation software that is flexible, portable and supported. Whether you choose our best-selling networking toolkit, VR-Link or our computer generated forces toolkit, VR-Forces, you have purchased a product backed by the industry’s leading distributed simulation experts. Our worldwide customers include ITT Industries, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Tenix, Dassault and BAE. Please call 617.876.8085 or visit www.mak.com for more information.
