As shooting ranges have evolved to accommodate live-fire training requirements for law enforcement and defence end-users, requirements around facility design and specialist equipment have become a primary focus.
Factors include sufficient ballistic containment and safety to cater to advancements in training requirements, in addition to secondary elements surrounding noise control, environmental concerns, and range system longevity. Appropriate selection of materials, in combination with a considered design, must be applied to ensure the facility meets design intent while satisfying mandated code requirements and specifications.
Zeroed is an Australian specialist contractor and partner for shooting ranges and live-fire training facilities. As part of the Manteena Group, a nationally awarded and recognised builder, Zeroed offers an industry-leading capability for the design and construction of world-leading live-fire training facilities, working in close collaboration with global range system leader, Action Target Inc. (ATI).
The facilities commissioned by Zeroed have already seen a significant increase in the training capability of various State police forces across Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Late last year, a new $41 million Regional Education Training Centre (RETC) opened in Dubbo as part of a NSW Police Force Infrastructure Strategy to bolster training capabilities in regional NSW. The centre includes NSW’s largest indoor live shooting range, purpose-built Active Armed Offender training facilities, multiple simulation training rooms, classrooms, and lecture rooms.
NSW Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said at the opening of the RETC that cutting-edge technology like the Active Armed Offender training venue and the live indoor firing range were essential in keeping NSW Police officers up to date with their mandatory training.
“This new facility shows our commitment to providing our officers with the best possible resources and training to ensure they are well-prepared to protect and serve the people of NSW.”
Since 2019, Zeroed has worked closely with its U.S. partner, Action Target Inc., to implement ATI’s range technology and ballistic containment systems. BISALLOY® HHA500 Armour Steel has been incorporated into the systems following ATI’s engineering review and approval process.
BISALLOY® Armour HHA500 Steel Characteristics
Thickness
5-50mm
Brinell Hardness (Typical)
477-534 HB
Tensile Strength (Specification)
1640 MPa
Action Target, a U.S.-based global leader in shooting range design and manufacturing, selected BISALLOY® Steel after critical evaluation and ballistic testing to meet U.S. safety and performance standards. The steel was then integrated into ATI’s proprietary range systems for use in the Australian market.
Zeroed, acting as the local contractor and ATI’s in-country representative, coordinated local execution and adapted installation processes to deliver the final facilities using ATI’s designs and specifications.
The addition of BISALLOY® Armour Steel in critical components of the Action Target-engineered systems enabled the production of high-performance solutions in Australia, meeting the same rigorous standards seen in the United States.
Zeroed’s General Manager and Director, Dr Daniel Knight, recently highlighted the value of Bisalloy’s in-house technical knowledge and support offered by those he was working with.
“Zeroed has delivered numerous large-scale indoor live-fire training facilities using Bisalloy armoured steel products. We find that Bisalloy consistently provides high-quality materials and exceptional customer service for each of our projects.”
“In our industry of live-fire training and shooting range facilities, technical expertise is essential to ensure all materials are rigorously reviewed and tested according to various standards and specifications,” he explained.
With the advanced ballistic protection seen in BISALLOY® Armour Steel, investments into world-leading training facilities are backed with high-quality, locally produced armour steel, safeguarding participants while extending the longevity of this critical infrastructure.
Through the combined expertise of Action Target, Zeroed, and Bisalloy in turning extreme training environments into safe, reliable training facilities, this partnership will continue to enhance the ballistic protection and safety of key training centres in an ever-evolving security landscape.
