VR Adoption Trends in Military Simulation and Training

Aerospace and Defense Review | Monday, May 29, 2023

It is anticipated that virtual training will play a larger role in military training than live training, although it will not replace live training.

FREMONT, CA: Virtual reality (VR) is rapidly taking form. In recent years, its applicability has moved beyond academic research, and the industry is now investing heavily in this sector for research and the production of several VR-based items. Many industries invest in this technology, including information technology, biomedical engineering, structural design, and training aids. Always looking for new ideas, the military sector is gradually but steadily becoming one of the most significant VR investors. The following discusses more about the benefits of virtual reality in military training.

With the development of gadgets, the virtual reality area has expanded dramatically outside of the entertainment industry, including a wide range of concepts in the general technological domain. Because of the complexity of VR, it may require more effort to describe it precisely.

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Trends in adoption: Despite reductions in the national defense budget, it remains a viable and cost-effective alternative. Virtual training, unlike live training, does not need the use of actual weapons and materials. Introducing technical and doctrinal reforms to the armed services is an objective of military ideas such as the revolution in military affairs (RMA). The military has adopted several new RMA technologies due to recent changes in the information and communication technology (ITC) industry. Modern militaries practice incorporating the results of numerous technical developments such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, robots, cognitive sciences, and a few others into military strategy. Military technologies use computer simulations to execute operations on simulated systems and demonstrate the effects in real time.

Applications: Military personnel may use VR to partake in numerous simulations without paying associated fees, dramatically reducing training budgets. Virtual reality (VR) may immerse students in various locations, situations, or scenarios. It may teach information, build skills, and provide invaluable experience useful in the real world. Trainees might utilize virtual reality to replicate a parachute drop and become more aware of the sensation and disorientation of falling from an airplane without spending the associated real-world flying expenses. They can be installed in fighter planes, submarines, tanks, or armored vehicles to simulate limited environments. VR can help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder. It is possible to recreate the traumatic event while upholding the subject's highest level of safety, enabling them to repeat the experience in virtual reality and get rid of his phobias. Virtual reality simulation is an important component of military training in various fields. As an example, it may be a replica of modern ground vehicles to help soldiers better understand how they work and look. It also allows soldiers to practice their roles on that vehicle, such as driver or gunner.

Benefits: When engaging in novel places and activities for the first time, such as a jungle boat invasion or an ice expedition, gaining context and locational awareness of scenarios that are difficult to duplicate without incurring a high cost is beneficial. Furthermore, VR can be used passively to treat PTSD or to provide recruits with a virtual "boot camp" experience to help them adjust to military life more quickly and with less fear.

Training: Using VR headsets to generate a range of training situations, military instructors may customize the material delivered to learners. Trainers can upload and transmit 360-degree pictures and videos via the VR portal, which allows uploading and transmitting any 360-degree picture or video using simple web browser controls. A headset can be used as a standalone device without being physically connected to a PC, meaning the wearer can move around freely without needing to be connected to a network.

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