Reflections from I/ITSEC 2024: How Mixed Reality is Transforming Military Training
I/ITSEC 2024, the annual exhibit and conference held in Orlando, Florida, has once again proven why it’s the world’s premier stage for military simulation and training. For Varjo, this year’s event marked another milestone in our journey as a trusted partner in defense innovation. Since entering the defense sector, we’ve witnessed firsthand the accelerating adoption of Extended Reality (XR) solutions, and we’re proud to see how our cutting-edge headsets are helping to shape the future of mission-critical training.
One of the most exciting developments we celebrated this year was our continued collaboration with the U.S. Army’s Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer (RVCT) program. Since 2023, Varjo has been the headset manufacturer of choice for the RVCT, powering training environments with the highest-fidelity XR visual experience on the market.
As the RVCT program continues to evolve, we’re thrilled to see its impact, bolstered by insights like those presented in the research paper “Soldier Centric Design of Mixed Reality Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainers” by Dennis M. Joseph at I/ITSEC 2024. This paper, which explores the integration of Mixed Reality (MR) into the RVCT, highlights many of the advancements that align closely with Varjo’s vision for immersive training.
Heartfelt appreciation goes to our trusted partner, Cole Engineering, whose expertise and collaboration have been instrumental in driving innovation in this space. Together, we’re committed to delivering solutions that redefine what’s possible in military simulation and training.
Mixed Reality: Elevating the Realism of Training in RVCT
The research paper by Dennis M. Joseph sheds light on how MR is enhancing the RVCT by blending physical and virtual elements into a cohesive training environment. As the U.S. Army pushes the boundaries of its Synthetic Training Environment (STE), MR plays a crucial role in addressing key challenges in pilot training.
The system integrates:
- Spatially Accurate Visuals: High-resolution virtual out-the-window scenes combined with physical controls, sensor visuals like IHADSS, and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) views.
- Immersive and Controlled Environments: Day and night mission simulations allow pilots to train in realistic scenarios while being shielded from external distractions.
Varjo’s Perspective on Soldier-Centric Approach
At Varjo, we deeply resonate with the soldier-centric design principles highlighted in the paper. The iterative approach of incorporating direct user feedback to refine system functionality mirrors our own development philosophy. When we first began supporting the RVCT program in 2023, we committed to creating technology that serves the needs of soldiers, not just the ambitions of engineers.
This collaborative process outlined in the paper, ensures that innovations in Mixed Reality don’t just look impressive—they deliver measurable results in performance and preparedness.
Advancing the Future of Defense Training
By merging the physical and virtual, MR improves the realism of training while also unlocking new avenues of scalability and efficiency. While the progress made with the RVCT is significant, both the paper and our experience with the program highlight that this is just the beginning. As Varjo continues to push the boundaries of XR technology, we remain committed to empowering defense organizations worldwide. Whether through partnerships with programs like the RVCT or collaborating with trailblazers like Cole Engineering, we are proud to contribute to innovations that make training safer, smarter, and more effective.
Acknowledgment: The blog content is based on insights from the research paper Joseph, D. M. (2024). The Deployable Virtual Training Environment. In Paper No. 455, Proceedings of the 2024 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC). Arlington, VA: National Training and Simulation Association. Read the full paper here.