The History of InVeris Training Solutions

InVeris Training Solutions provides live-fire and virtual firearms training systems to military and security forces, law enforcement agencies and commercial shooting range owners, as well as first responders and corrections units around the world. But did you know that InVeris Training Solutions – through its legacy brands FATS® and Caswell – has been a leading live-fire and virtual systems provider for more than 90 years?

The Caswell story: Pioneering safe and accurate live fire training

Founded in 1926, Caswell International provided high-quality live-fire range systems, serving the law enforcement community, commercial gun ranges and security forces. In 2003, the UK company Meggitt PLC acquired Caswell International. This acquisition was based on Caswell’s reputation as an innovator in the live-fire shooting industry.

Since 1926, Caswell provided shooting range innovations resulting in many successful product launches including: 1) the world’s first moving target system; 2) the industry’s first environmentally friendly bullet trap that reduces lead dust; 3) the industry’s first wireless range control device; and 4) the world’s first fully mobile shooting range.

Caswell International History

The FATS story: Transforming training through simulation

Fast forward to 1984 and the emergence of Firearms Training Systems Inc. or FATS, an innovative computer-based simulation company that transformed the law enforcement and defense firearms simulation training markets. In 2006, Meggitt PLC acquired FATS. This acquisition was based on FATS’ reputation as the leader in the development, manufacturing and support of simulation small and combined arms training systems, indirect fire/forward air control and vehicle trainers.

The FATS military simulators are the system of record for the US Army, US Marines (USMC), United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MOD), US National Guard, US Air Force (USAF), Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Australia Defense Forces (ADF), Singapore Army and Singapore Police Coast Guard. FATS invented BlueFire® wireless weapon simulators that replicate the form, fit and function of live weapons, and provide the same accurate, real-time training diagnostics as tethered weapon simulators.

Firearms Training Systems History

The Story Continues: Merging virtual and live fire training

In 2008, Meggitt PLC merged Caswell and FATS to create Meggitt Training Systems. This merger sought to capitalize on synergies resulting from combining the operations of Caswell and FATS to provide both live fire and simulation training as an integrated product offering.

InVeris Training Solutions: The New Chapter

In 2020, Pine Island Capital Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., acquired Meggitt Training Systems. Pine Island Capital Partners offers a differentiated approach to private equity investing in the middle market through the composition and specialized knowledge of its team. The firm has combined an experienced investment team with a group of Washington-based partners that includes former prominent members of Congress, ambassadors, and military and defense leaders with significant private sector experience. The team and its partners were drawn to the acquisition because of the technological leadership and customer-centric commitment they saw in Meggitt Training Systems. They now see the opportunity to expand the new InVeris Training Solutions to meet the changing training needs of training for an ever-wider group of customers and stakeholders.

Solutions for the challenges ahead: Contact InVeris

Today, military forces, law enforcement officers, first responders, correction officers and security agency personnel face unprecedented issues. As the world leader in integrated live-fire and virtual training systems, InVeris Training Solutions answers this need. We have fielded more than 15,000 live-fire ranges and 5,100 virtual systems worldwide. InVeris Training Solutions provides the design experience, state-of-the-art products, backed by dedicated support, necessary in today’s fast-paced training environments.