Virtual Reality is Changing Military Training
Virtual reality is a fully immersive computer simulated environment that gives users a perception of being in the new location instead of the actual one. Virtual reality technology is based on software simulations and additional devices, such as virtual reality glasses, and can be employed in development of advanced training techniques in a number of different fields, and particularly in military training programs. The article “How VR is training the perfect soldier” written by Simon Parkin is focused on describing virtual reality training simulations designed for military professional and army medics.
The author considered and analyzed approach of several companies engaged in development of virtual reality training simulations for government agencies. In many cases, these companies are also engaged in game development, and the final products (simulation programs) are quite similar to the computer games. The similarity of video games and VR training is considered to be “an appealing way of learning” for trainees as recruits are mostly used to gaming environment (Parkin, Simon, par. 13). The author also noted that these training programs allow to track and analyze trainees’ performance more accurately.
Cost Efficiency and Diversity
Traditional training of military professionals is resource intensive, time-consuming and expensive. However, military school students must get used to working in difficult places before they encounter dangerous situations in the real world. According to T.R. Witcher, VR training programs offer the cost-cutting opportunity to safely substitute regional or national training centers and life-size simulators (Witcher, T.R., par. 3). Instead, VR simulation programs can be easily modified, updated and delivered to the point of need. The author pointed out that virtual reality technology and mixed reality simulation (augmented reality combined with certain tangible objects) allows to put trainees into a live environment and train to deal with various objects, from a few dismounted enemies to formations of tanks. Therefore, virtual reality technology is able to offer more diverse variety of scenarios and environments compared to the life-size simulations in training centers.
VR Training Scenarios and Locations
Patrick Van Horne in his article “Three Ways Virtual Reality Can Be Used in the Military” has distinguished several key ways of using VR training programs. First of all, virtual reality training programs can help recruits to prepare for a specific location. Similar to the training programs designed for specific locations, recruits can prepare themselves for specific missions and practice for the planned operations. Finally, virtual reality training programs allow to simulate past events and learn from history (Horne, Patrick, par. 9).
Training for Maintenance Tasks
Hope Hodge Seck, a reporter for Military.com and DefenseTech.org, has noted that the military forces might use virtual reality training programs not only to train recruits for combat, but also for maintenance tasks (Seck, Hope, par. 1). For example, the Boeing Corporation has been engaged in the development of the virtual reality training programs for aircraft maintainers. The technical solution for training program was based on “off-the-shelf motion sensors, an HTC Vive headset [VR glasses] and controllers with a trigger and sensing pad” (Seck, Hope, par. 2). The prototype training program was presented at the Modern Day Marine exposition, in September, 2016. The reporter has recognized some important limitations in the applicability of the virtual reality training program, such as inability to simulate resistance for more difficult tasks, and also limited ability to give the user a feeling of some area out of the view (Seck, Hope, par. 6). Nevertheless, the author underlined that the training program will allow recruits to proceed with training results and gain the operational proficiency. Further development of this technology is anticipated by being presented and tested at Air Force and Marine Corps.
