For the past several weeks we have provided a perspective on how the Metro Orlando region is addressing priorities outlined by President Bush in his recent State of the Union Address. We started with our region’s role in alternative fuel development, then moved on to discuss how we are advancing math and science education in our schools. In this final installment, we look at Metro Orlando’s contributions to the war effort.As the controversy about additional troops being sent into war zones rages, there is one point on which there is no argument: keeping our war fighters safe is paramount. That overarching concern is the driving force behind Department of Defense work being done here in Metro Orlando, which is home to the simulation training commands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
Driven largely by our nation’s defense and homeland security, the simulation industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the high tech arena. And our region is recognized as a hub for this industry, with more than 100 companies employing nearly 17,000 of our friends and neighbors. Nearly every soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan has trained on simulation technologies and systems developed in Orlando. In addition to the nation’s military simulation training commands, the National Center for Simulation and the headquarters for Lockheed Martin and SAIC’s simulation operations are also based here.
The presence of so many lead contractors has resulted in major defense contracts being awarded to local companies. As a result, Central Florida has become one of the most fertile grounds in the U.S. for small business defense contracts. In addition to developing trainers for battlefield equipment, work being done by the region’s simulation industry has broad applications, ranging from emergency medical training to addressing post traumatic stress syndrome.
Believe it or not, our world prominence as an entertainment leader is also contributing to the war effort. Recognizing the value of “convergence” between the storytelling ability of our tourism industry and the technology prowess of our simulation industry has led to collaborations resulting in training models most effective for a generation raised on high impact video games. One example of a successful collaborative is the Navy’s new immersive training center in Great Lakes, Michigan—a simulated battleship, housed within an 80,000 square-foot facility for recruits, that was designed by i.d.e.a.s., an Orlando entertainment/media content company headquartered at Disney’s MGM Studios with a background in theme park ride and show development.
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