ORLANDO, FL, July 28, 2025 – Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), subsidiary of BAE Systems, has announced that the U.S. Army has completed a contract modification to begin upgraded deployment of Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4) as part of its ongoing Games for Training (GFT) program.
The GFT program, launched in 2013, offers the Army a flexible simulation tool for mission rehearsal, tactical training, and leadership development in operational, institutional, and self-development domains. BISim has been a GFT program partner since 2009, at first offering VBS2 and later transitioning to VBS3 in 2014. In 2022, BISim secured a five-year enterprise license contract. “Upgrading to VBS4 allows us to take full advantage of the latest advancements in virtual game training technology,” said David Perez, U.S. Army GFT program manager. “Our mission is to ensure soldiers are trained and ready for the complexities of the modern battlefield. With VBS4, we’re delivering a flexible, immersive game platform that supports the Army’s push for leaner, more lethal formations and the rapid integration of emerging technologies into training.”
The GFT program is used in more than 80 simulation centers, schoolhouses and home-station training sites, making it the Army’s extensively deployed game-based training tool. Building on this foundation, VBS4 offers a low-overhead solution that supports individual training, squad-level exercises and mission command or staff operations.
“Supporting the U.S. Army’s vision for modernizing its training enterprise reflects a longstanding partnership built on trust, adaptability, and a shared commitment to innovation,” said Pete Morrison, chief product officer at BISim. “This upgrade provides tools that help prepare warriors for the missions of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”
As the Army enters the third option year of its current GFT contract, the shift to VBS4 aligns with ongoing game-based training goals. The upgrade adds a new graphics engine, updated networking and performance, a simplified user interface, and access to a global terrain server. These additions support scalable and adaptable virtual training environments.
Source: BAE Systems
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems Inc., founded in 1999 and headquartered in Falls Church, VA, is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, a global defense and aerospace company. It develops and manufactures systems for military and government use, including electronic warfare, armored vehicles, naval vessels, munitions, aerospace components, cybersecurity, and intelligence systems. The company operates under a special security agreement, enabling it to support U.S. defense programs. BAE Systems Inc. employs about 41,000 people across 38 U.S. states and multiple international locations. It supports defense initiatives such as F-35 fighter electronics, armored combat vehicles, and naval ship maintenance. The company holds more than 2,000 patents and works with the U.S. Department of Defense across various technology and manufacturing areas.
About Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim)
Bohemia Interactive Simulations, founded in 2001 in Australia and headquartered in Orlando, FL, develops game-based simulation and training software for military and civilian organizations. Its flagship platform, Virtual Battlespace, is used by more than 500,000 military personnel annually in over 60 NATO and allied countries. The company partners with more than 250 systems integrators and prime contractors. BISim maintains offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Australia, with a global staff of approximately 350 employees. BISim supports defense training, mission planning, and decision-making by providing customized simulation software and integration services for armed forces, defense contractors, and government agencies worldwide.