REALITY CHECK
Te STE integrates virtual reality and augmented reality to create immersive, realistic training scenarios across multiple domains— land, sea, air, space and cyber. By enhancing training with VR and AR, Soldiers can experience complex, large-scale environ- ments and situations that are difficult or impossible to replicate in live training, improving readiness, decision-making and coor- dination in a cost-effective manner.
“Te vision of the Army’s Synthetic Training Environment is to revolutionize Army training by merging live, virtual, construc- tive [LVC] and gaming platforms into an interoperable training experience that provides real-life immersion for combat training,” said Bahbaz. Te blending of these domains enables decentral- ized training, reduces wear on tactical equipment and provides additional tools to enhance training effectiveness. Tis provides significant value for brigade and company-level training, benefit- ing forward observers (fire support specialists, artillery observers) and mortarmen crews.
PEO STRI’s Project Manager Training Devices (PM TRADE) has developed instrumented mortars capable of engaging targets across the LVC spectrum, Bahbaz explained, including live instrumented Soldiers, the virtual Training Simulation Software (TSS) Soldier and constructive simulation-generated entities. Using an immersive VR headset, the forward observer can visual- ize the entire battlefield in real-time, seeing LVC entities in their exact locations. Te device provides a fully virtualized view of the battlefield, using high-resolution, three-dimensional terrain models that are updated in real time—allowing the forward observer to pan and zoom the digital battlefield, provide target- ing information and call in indirect fire on targets across the LVC spectrum. Tis capability, he said, allows for a highly realistic and dynamic training environment and can be used to supplement training when live personnel or vehicle platforms are unavailable.
Tese haptic technologies are currently in the prototyping phase, where performance and effectiveness is evaluated in a live training environment through the use of Soldier touch points conducted throughout a wide range of locations, including Fort Cavazos, Fort Benning, Fort Irwin, Fort Bragg, Fort Wainwright and Fort Polk. Bahbaz noted that, as a result of the PEO STRI touch points, PM TRADE received both positive and constructive feed- back from Soldiers, which was critical in informing requirements and design improvements.
Bahbaz anticipates that these capabilities will be procured in fiscal year 2025 and fielded, starting in fiscal year 2026, to the Combat Training Center sites. Tis will begin with the Joint
18 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2025
HALF PAST HAPTICS
This wrist-worn device provides Soldiers with situational awareness, biometric data and a real-time casualty assessment during training. Such improvements in haptics will help to provide a more realistic training environment and bridge the gap between virtual training and real-world experiences. (Photo courtesy of PEO STRI)
Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, then the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, followed by the Joint Multination Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
PM TRADE will start fielding with the indirect fire mortar and artillery training systems, he said, followed by shoulder-launched munitions and others, mainly because they enhance realism by providing tactile feedback for recoil, loading and firing, which helps develop muscle memory and operational skills.
LIVE TRAINING For the next generation of dismounted Tactical Engagement Simulation Systems (TESS)— designed for infantry or ground- based personnel to simulate real-world combat scenarios without live ammunition—PEO STRI is prototyping haptic alerts to the Soldiers for firing, near miss, wound assessments and suppression.
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