Brig. Gen. Beeler outlines Army shift toward data-driven training, industry marketplace approach at TSIS 2026

Photo courtesy of CPE ST3.

By Cassidy Mills, Senior Staff Writer

July 16, 2026

Senior leaders from the U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, Test and Threat (CPE ST3) opened the 2026 Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) on June 17 with a keynote and program manager briefings that outlined a forward-looking vision for training, simulation and acquisition centered on data, adaptability and closer collaboration with industry.

Presented by National Training & Simulation Association (NTSA), TSIS is one of the key gatherings for the modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) community. Within Florida, it is second in scale only to the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC).

The symposium serves as an annual forum for representatives from industry and the U.S. military to discuss training and simulation requirements. Officials from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force presented updates on current and future procurement needs. Topics included acquisition strategies, timelines and funding priorities.

Army keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler, capability program executive of CPE ST3, framed the event as an opportunity to move beyond routine program updates and instead focus on how the Army is shaping the future of training.

Following her remarks, CPE ST3 program managers Col. Natasha Coleman, Program Manager Simulation (PM SIM); Bradley Horton, Product Lead Training Support Management Office (PL TSMO); Justin Fortune, Product Lead Training Systems Operations (PL TSO); and Dale Whittaker, Product Lead Instrumentation Program Office (PL IPO), provided briefings on their respective portfolios.

Beeler emphasized that the intent was to provide insight into where capabilities are headed across live, virtual and constructive environments and how those systems must evolve to keep pace with rapidly changing operational conditions.

A major focus of her address was the speed of change on the modern battlefield, where tactics, techniques and procedures are evolving continuously and require training systems capable of adapting in near real time.

She stressed future training environments must be able to adjust dynamically during exercises rather than relying on static scenarios that fail to reflect current operational realities.

“We can’t train tomorrow’s force with yesterday’s playbook,” Beeler said. “The environment is changing too quickly for static scenarios to be effective. Our training systems have to be able to shift as the conditions shift.”

Within that context, she highlighted the growing importance of data as the foundation of Army training and simulation. Rather than prioritizing networks or transport layers, the Army is increasingly focused on how data is generated, validated, secured and shared across mission command and training platforms.

This shift is driving closer alignment between operational systems and training environments, with a stronger emphasis on interoperability and trusted data exchange across the force.

Beeler also described acquisition as an increasingly critical element of warfighting capability, noting it is now viewed as a function that directly enables operational readiness. She acknowledged ongoing transformation within Army acquisition, including adjustments being piloted across the enterprise to better align with future requirements.

“What matters most now is not just connectivity, but the data itself,” Beeler said. “We need to know where it comes from, how it is validated and how it is trusted across systems. That is what enables true integration across training and mission command.”

Another central theme was the Army’s push toward a more dynamic “marketplace” for capability development. Rather than relying on single-solution providers, the service is increasingly encouraging competition and modular, multi-vendor approaches to meet training requirements. This model is intended to spur innovation, improve cost efficiency and provide commanders with more flexible options for training their formations.

“We are moving toward a model where no single provider has to solve everything,” Beeler said. “Different vendors bring different strengths, and we need to be able to integrate those capabilities in a more flexible way. That approach gives commanders more options and drives better solutions.”

Innovation pathways such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Joint Innovation Outpost were also highlighted as key mechanisms for connecting field-generated ideas with acquisition pathways. Beeler emphasized the importance of capturing insights from Soldiers and rapidly translating them into scalable capabilities.

Cybersecurity and interoperability emerged as rising priorities across all training and simulation systems, with the Army focused on ensuring data remains protected across U.S. and partner systems while still enabling secure information sharing in joint and international environments.

“As we connect more systems across the joint and coalition environment, security has to be built in from the start,” Beeler said. “At the same time, those systems still have to be able to talk to each other. Balancing protection with interoperability is becoming essential.”

Beeler also addressed industry engagement, noting ongoing efforts to improve how industry submissions and new technologies are routed to the appropriate program offices. She encouraged continued participation from industry partners and stressed the importance of timely, transparent communication to ensure promising technologies are evaluated effectively.

“We want industry to be able to reach us without unnecessary friction. Good ideas should not get lost in process or timing,” Beeler said. “The more effectively we can route those conversations, the faster we can turn innovation into capability.”