Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC)

CMTC is a new army unit, which is responsible to deliver this dynamic, specialized training. The computer and weapons system itself will simulate a large variety of weapons through use of laser technology, collect all engagement data, and provide after action reports and video on performance. This capability is a result of a 10 year, $137 million contract between DND and CUBIC Defence Applications. The primary aim of the project is to assist battle commanders to better achieve readiness of their soldiers and equipment before operational deployments. This expansion will include a significant growth in new infrastructure on Base, and also significant increase in permanent and transient military personnel both on Base and in the surrounding communities as a whole.

The premier Army training experience for all soldiers will occur at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC) in Wainwright, Alberta. CMTC prepares complete Battle Groups for operations using the fully instrumented Weapons Effects Simulation (WES) system. The Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick, will also use a smaller, non-instrumented WES system to improve individual training courses.

CMTC was officially stood up in Wainwright in 2002. As of the summer of 2003, almost 30 personnel are working full time at the unit. Training at CMTC using the WES system commenced in 2006.

The establishment of the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre; which became operational in 2006, bringing more personnel to the Wainwright area and enabling Canadian Forces units to train in an even more realistic environment. The creation of CMTC, a national training unit whose primary purpose will be to prepare Canada soldiers for missions overseas, uses extremely sophisticated laser and salellite techmology to simulate the effects of battle with amazing realism and specially constructed training sites, including four entire “villages,” to recreate the foreign enviroments in which the solidiers may find thenselves. All this represents an enormous commitment of people and resources to Camp Wainwright and the surrounding community.