U.S. Navy Selects BISim to Develop VR and AR Training Solutions for the T-45

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U.S. Navy Selects BISim to Develop Virtual and Augmented Reality Training Solutions for the T-45
May 16, 2018





Stuttgart, Germany — Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a global developer of advanced simulation and training software, has been selected by the U.S. Navy to provide air crew training technology that leverages emerging augmented and virtual reality technologies. Supporting the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) via PMA-205 and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), BISim will provide an augmented reality visual system that enables trainees to interact with a physical T-45 simulator cockpit while immersed in a high-fidelity virtual environment displayed in a head mounted display (HMD). In addition, two T-45 virtual reality part-task trainers (VR-PTTs) will be developed with a goal of supplementing existing virtual and live training. Both solutions will feature image generation technology from BISim’s VBS Blue IG.

“Virtual and augmented reality technology have the potential to fundamentally change how aircrew training is delivered,” said John Burwell, Vice President of Business Development for BISim. “These solutions offer tremendous benefits to the U.S. Navy from cost avoidance to offering training at the point of need and ultimately increasing readiness for pilots.”

The augmented reality visual system will immerse the pilot in a virtual environment where he/she can see and interact with a physical simulator cockpit. The advantage is that it provides a full 360-degree field of regard visual display using only a single image generation channel and a specialized head mounted display. If the research is successful, it should be possible to use the proposed augmented reality visual solution with any existing simulator, saving at least an order of magnitude in cost over traditional image generation and project-based solutions.

Building on previous developments for the F/A-18, BISim will create a second generation VR-PTT with enhanced resolution and an improved user interface. The VR-PTT will replicate the crewstation, avionics, and flight dynamics of the T-45 aircraft using VR technology to provide training at the point of need. Selected bio-sensing technology will create an intuitive user interface that tracks a user’s gestures in the real world and displays the results in the virtual environment. The interface enables the pilot to select and interact with virtual buttons, dials and switches as would be done in the real aircraft. The VR-PTTs will feature an aircraft dynamics and avionics simulation solution from SASimulation’s FLEX-air. The solution is intended to support basic flight and cockpit familiarization, carrier operations, and Basic Fighting Maneuvers (BFM).

To be among the first to discuss the U.S. Navy selecting BISim for augmented and virtual reality training solutions, visit BISim’s Stand D40 at ITEC 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany, from May 15-17.