GLOBALLY ENGAGED ACQUISITION ENTERPRISE
REALITYCHECK
Haptics improvements to Army simulation training makes virtual environments feel more realistic.
by Cheryl Marino S
imulation doesn’t replace live training, but with enhancements to its digital programs, along with haptics improvements, the Army will soon be able to augment existing programs and replicate weapons like direct fire,
counter-defilade and directed energy that, until now, couldn’t be replicated through simulation. Making interactions with virtual environments or digital devices feels more realistic and tactile.
Haptics is the use of technology to simulate the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations or motions to the user via wear- able suits or devices (i.e., gloves, vests, watches). While it is not currently used in live force-on-force training—a training method that combines live action with virtual and constructive train- ing—it will be used going forward to bridge the gap between virtual training and real-world experiences. Te result is a safer, more effective and more cost-efficient way to prepare Soldiers for various operational scenarios, and this technology is particularly valuable in effectively addressing modern military challenges— from urban warfare to cyber-defense training.
“Haptic technology in combination with immersive VR/AR [virtual reality and augmented reality] technologies and artifi- cial intelligence [AI] form a critical architecture element within emerging Army training systems,” said Chief Technology Offi- cer Marwane Bahbaz, Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). “And simulations using virtual reality and haptic capabilities drastically increase immersion and improve retention and learning in training
exercises.” Tis means that Soldiers can safely and effectively practice high-risk or complex scenarios like piloting a plane or handling dangerous machinery with more confidence and less risk than in real life.
He explained that haptics “increases combat realism in the collec- tive training environment because it induces combat stress to Soldiers, ensuring that the execution of the mission, the deci- sion-making process and the overall combined arms tasks are validated.” Inducing combat stress in the training environ- ment mimics the emotions and fatigue Soldiers could face when engaged in combat so they are better able to anticipate these sensations in the peer threat environment.
Te Synthetic Training Environment Live Training System (STE LTS), which uses virtual technology to simulate combat environments for Soldiers, is advancing haptic technology with environmental hardening (increasing resistance to stress or threats) to enhance training resilience and cost efficiency and continues to monitor and invest in evolving haptic innovations.
SYNTHETIC TRAINING ENVIRONMENT In 2017, the Army began developing the Synthetic Training Envi- ronment (STE) with the goal of achieving initial operational capability by 2021 and full operational capability (a highly realis- tic and immersive training environment) by 2023. Some features are currently being used for training, while the full system is still under development and deployment.
https://asc.ar my.mil 17
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