CASE STUDY

Rheinmetall and the Refreshed Varjo XR-4 Series: Scaling Battlefield Readiness Through XR Driving Simulation

Rheinmetall’s pioneering driving simulator, powered by the refreshed Varjo XR-4 (2026), transforms every mile driven in training into preparation for real-world combat.

Customer

Industry

Defense

Category

Simulated Training

Headset

XR-4

XR-4-Gaia-front-right-1328x680

About customer

Based in Düsseldorf Germany, Rheinmetall AG is an internationally operating technology corporation. Founded in 1889, the company is a leading systems supplier for the defence industry and, at the same time, a driver of forward-looking technological and industrial innovations in civil markets.

Rheinmetall Electronics supplies mission equipment as well as training solutions to armed forces, government agencies and civil customers. The company offers a comprehensive range of products and services for armed forces, civil security forces and industry partners. In close cooperation with the customer, Rheinmetall Electronics designs, develops and produces high-end products and integrates complex system solutions.

As one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and equipment for all branches of the military, Rheinmetall is a competent partner for the innovative use of advanced training technology in the field of live, constructive and virtual simulation.

XR driving simulation

land domain training

Meeting the Market’s Call for Driving Simulation

With decades of expertise in the sector, Rheinmetall’s simulation and training business segment is increasingly focused on land domain training. Its portfolio spans solutions for driving, combat, gunnery, tactical and procedural training to address the diverse needs of modern armed forces.

Among these, driving simulation plays a particularly critical role, as tactical mobility remains a critical factor on the battlefield. By replicating the conditions in which soldiers must operate vehicles under combat scenarios, driving simulators provide a safe yet highly realistic environment for skill development. Market demand for these solutions continues to grow, fueled by the expansion of conscript armies, the modernization of military fleets, and the need for scalable, portable, and readily deployable training tools.

“We hear from the market that there is a growing demand for driving simulators, not only due to expanding army fleets but also because of the training outcomes they enable,” says Bartek Panasewicz, VP Training Systems Land at Rheinmetall.

“Training must be available anytime and anywhere, and that is exactly the need we are helping to address.”

Next-Generation Training with the Refreshed XR-4 Series

Rheinmetall is integrating the refreshed Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition, purpose-built for training across domains, into its high-fidelity driving simulators. The redesigned headset focuses on two critical improvements: greater comfort for long training sessions and improved visual fidelity through reoriented cameras.

“The newest updates on the product allow us to feel confident that we can meet our customer requirements which, for instance, could be allowing the trainee to wear the headset for a longer period,” explains Panasewicz, noting that driving exercises can last up to eight hours and demand sustained comfort.

“The newest update to the XR-4 Series allows us to feel confident that we can meet our customer requirements.” BARTEK PANASEWICZ, VP TRAINING SYSTEMS, LAND AT RHEINMETALL
Rheinmetall XR simulation training

Detailed After-Action Reviews

The reoriented passthrough cameras now direct focus lower in the field of view, toward the cockpit, making it easier for trainees to read displays, interpret small digits, and maintain situational awareness during complex tasks. “Obviously, in driving simulation, a lot of the focus is downwards. The improved passthrough experience is helping us to meet the requirement in assessing individual performance as part of the cockpit crew,” Panasewicz says.

Additionally, the Varjo XR-4’s built-in eye tracking enables instructors to evaluate whether trainees are focusing on the correct instruments at the right time and conduct more detailed after-action reviews. “The eye tracking capability allows us to assess trainees' performance and to ensure that they are focusing on the right positions and right compartment at the right time,” Panasewicz explains.

 

 

Rheinmetall XR driving simulator

Practicing critical driving tasks

Inside Rheinmetall’s Next-Generation Vehicle Crew Trainer

Rheinmetall’s newest driving simulator is set to ensure soldiers are prepared long before they climb into a real vehicle. The high-fidelity simulator powered by the refreshed Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition is designed to deliver realistic and effective procedural training. It enables both individuals and crews up to platoon level to practice critical driving tasks in replicated vehicle cockpits.

When trainees put on the XR-4 headset, they are transported into realistic driving scenarios while maintaining a safe training space. The virtual terrains simulate challenging battlefield conditions, such as rough environments and adverse weather, while instructors can configure environmental variables including e.g. fog, wind, and rain, which significantly affect tactical driving performance.

 

Reconfigurable Simulation for Modern Defense Needs

To further extend the capabilities of the immersive drive, Rheinmetall integrates mixed reality (XR) as a powerful layer of adaptability. With mixed reality passthrough enabling the ability to blend real and virtual elements, XR brings the best of both worlds: it offers the tactile realism of cockpits and haptics alongside the limitless possibilities of virtual environments. By allowing XR to be applied across a variety of reconfigurable cockpit inserts, teams can transform equipment from static assets into dynamic, plug-and-play training tools that can also be stored for later use.

Additionally, a key feature of the simulator is its reconfigurable insert concept, which allows cockpits for different vehicles to be swapped in as little as 15 minutes. This flexibility drives cost efficiency by enabling the ability to integrate and switch between other vehicles, other cockpits, and other OEM portfolio products in the same system. By making rapid reconfiguration possible, the simulator supports scalable, versatile training that builds battlefield readiness one scenario at a time.

Driving Training Forward with Mixed Reality

Unlike traditional large-scale simulator systems, XR solutions can be quickly deployed and reconfigured, making them easier to set up in different environments while still delivering realistic outcomes. This approach offers flexible and mobile solutions that address the rising demand for training both conscripts and expanding fleets. “We see XR as a beneficial add-on in our portfolio, which allows us to grow and scale our training solutions to customer needs,” says Panasewicz.

“It’s really about being able to scale, be portable, and be easy to set up at the customer’s premises. The objective for our customers is to allow as much training as possible anytime and anywhere, and XR is the perfect match for achieving this,“ Panasewicz praises.

“It’s really impressive to see how this technology is evolving, and how perfectly Varjo allows customers to reach immersion in the virtual world.” BARTEK PANASEWICZ, VP TRAINING SYSTEMS, LAND AT RHEINMETALL

Evolving Technology, Expanding Possibilities

Looking forward, the company expects the role of XR to grow in the defense field, extending far beyond driving into combat, multi-domain operations, and diverse roles.

“XR will grow massively in the defense market, as different domains and roles need to be trained. This will significantly increase the demand for training, and it is a big market that we are growing into,” says Panasewicz.

As the technology evolves, Rheinmetall sees its partnership with Varjo as central to expanding its market footprint and driving the transformation together. “It’s really impressive to see how this technology is evolving, and how perfectly Varjo allows customers to reach immersion in the virtual world,” Panasewicz notes.

“We see our partnership with Varjo as an opportunity to extend our market footprint and to grow together.”

 

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