Extended reality (XR), and in particular virtual reality (VR), has had a long association with U.S. military training. One of the first VR projects in the 1960s was developed to train recruits for the U.S. Air Force. The technology has since grown by leaps and bounds with extensive applications across the defense industry and beyond.
Developers have realized that the deep immersion VR offers can be a powerful tool to upskill trainees in a safe environment. In fact, according to a U.S. Air Force white paper, VR procedure training (VRPT) can help reduce training time by 95% and reduce errors by 19%. Here’s a rundown on the benefits of using VR for combat training as well as real-world applications for it in U.S. military training.
Benefits of XR Military Training
VR is a computer-generated environment that allows the user to immerse themselves in a virtual world. By mimicking real-life scenarios, the technology can be used to train military personnel for a wide range of missions and objectives.
Virtual reality, mixed reality (MR), and augmented reality (AR) are together referred to as extended reality (XR) technologies and offer differing levels of immersion. VR offers the most immersive experience of the three and is the most widely adopted in the defense space. Here’s why VR is so popular for U.S. military training:
1. Risk-Free Training
VR is used to develop virtual environments. Depending on the technology provider, these environments can prove to be incredibly life-like, offering users the ability to explore their surroundings as well as interact with them, much like they would in the physical world.
VR scenarios tend to stimulate the same neurological responses in the users that a real-world situation would, except that in a simulation, they’re not exposed to any real danger. This makes VR ideal for U.S. military training, especially combat training, since recruits can fail, learn, and improve their skills in a risk-free environment.
2. Short Learning Curve
Research and practical experience has shown that VR greatly accelerates knowledge transfer. For example, at King Crow Studios, our pioneering S.T.E.P. system provides a series of targeted audiovisual cues built into the VR simulation that helps boost knowledge retention and skill development, massively slashing training time in the process.
The shorter learning curve can prove transformative for U.S. military training developers, allowing for the availability of mission-ready recruits at unprecedented speed.
3. Improved Outcomes
VR can not only speed up knowledge transfer, but it can also improve the quality of knowledge imbibed by the user. Deeper immersion can help provide multi-sensory stimuli during a simulation, including activating haptic and olfactory senses, which can assist with shaping the desired physiological response to a specific scenario.
VR simulations by King Crow Studios, including those for U.S. military training purposes, have helped boost knowledge retention by up to 75%, while reducing errors and inefficiency.
4. Cost-Effective
VR is also a highly cost-effective option on multiple fronts. For starters, it saves you the cost of having to set up physical training arenas and equipment. VR allows you to create a “digital twin” of the necessary hardware or environment, such as a fighter plane, and save the expense of having recruits practice in a real-life jet that costs millions apiece and more in jet fuel.
Furthermore, with a partner like King Crow Studios, you benefit from a deploy-ready system that can be fully customized to any U.S. military training use case in a matter of weeks, if necessary. This reduces the development and setup time and therefore, the cost involved.
5. Versatile
VR is a highly versatile technology that can be adapted to suit any military training scenario. Here are just a few of the potential applications for VR for militaries:
- Vehicle and Aircraft Simulations: VR offers you a cost-effective way to train soldiers in operating and maintaining different combat vehicles. This can include anything from fighter planes to tanks, ground assault vehicles, unmanned vehicles, and more.
- VR Combat Training: VR is a go-to technology in U.S. military training to condition soldiers and test their responses when confronted with a combat situation. It allows personnel to practice various battlefield operations, including marksmanship, tactical maneuvers, and teamwork, and enhance their decision-making skills in high-pressure scenarios.
- Medical Training: VR is quickly becoming a mainstream option for medical training in military outfits and otherwise. It provides soldiers with a safe and realistic avenue to practice their skills and deliver efficient Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). VR is ideal for U.S. military training since the medical scenarios simulated are often ones that are either too dangerous or prohibitively expensive to stage in real life.
Partner With a Proven Industry-Leader for VR Military Training
King Crow Studios is an SBIR Phase III award-winning company and a trusted VR partner for multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and Navy. See transformative outcomes from tailored VR combat training programs. Book a demo to see our solution in action or schedule a consultation to learn more about our U.S. military training applications.