Varjo Selected as the Headset Technology Provider for Mixed Reality Military Training Project
Varjo will provide head-mounted display (HMD) technology for U.S. Army’s RVCT Air Program
Helsinki, Finland – August 29, 2023 – Varjo, the global leader in professional-grade VR/XR hardware and software, today announced it has been selected to provide head-mounted display (HMD) technology for the U.S. Army’s Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer (RVCT) Air Program. The Air program is centered around providing a portable training capability for three different Helicopters: Apache, Chinook & Blackhawk and is part of the U.S. Army’s efforts to create a synthetic training environment (STE) that can be utilized regardless of location.
RVCT is an adaptable hardware system that connects to the STE to activate collective, mixed-reality training scenarios. The RVCT will now include a special variant of Varjo XR-3 Focal Edition headsets that will enable squads to navigate exercises using actual and computer-generated movements.
With the enhanced Varjo XR-3 Focal Edition capabilities, U.S. Army pilots will leverage Varjo’s human-eye resolution displays augmented with video pass-through technology to experience a fully immersive training environment where they can interact with physical controls in real-time. The headset has advanced video pass-through capabilities, performs well in dark and light environments, allows for deep immersion for long periods of time and also can simulate night-flying scenarios. RVCT also leverages Varjo’s high-security offering as the headsets are Finland manufactured TAA-certified products and do not have radio frequency.
“We’re proud to work with the U.S. Army in creating the world’s first video pass-through mixed reality-based air training in this quality and scale,” said Seppo Aaltonen, Chief Commercial Officer of Varjo. “Mixed reality technologies can lower overall defense training costs, increase training flexibility, and improve adaptability to any operational environment.”
Varjo will work closely with the integrator partner Cole Engineering to further improve the core technologies and implement solutions into mission rehearsal.
“We’re thrilled to work with Varjo to scale the level of training immersion based on specific user needs and requirements without impacting the hardware design of the training systems,” said Eric Carr, Program Director at Cole Engineering Services Inc.
The RVCT program is one of the over 70+ immersive defense training programs featuring Varjo’s hardware and software solutions worldwide. For more information on the partnership, please contact press@varjo.com.
About Varjo:
Varjo (pronounced var-yo) makes revolutionary VR/XR hardware and software that together allow you to see and experience virtual and augmented content just as clearly as you see the analog world around us. Our virtual and mixed reality headsets take you to another level of performance and emotional immersion – recreating the exact feeling and conditions of real life, allowing you to perform better and learn faster. www.varjo.com
About CESI:
Cole Engineering Services, Inc. (CESI), a By Light Company, is a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training, and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains. CESI also designs, builds, and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications, and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator, and services provider. https://coleengineering.com/
