The Use of Virtual and Augmented Realities in Air Force Training
Abstract
Recent advances in technology have brought the cost of extended reality (XR) systems down to a level where development of training programs in virtual environments is feasible. Studies have shown that learning experiences in virtual environments equate to experiencing the same tasks in real life. Civilian industries have begun using XR systems for training and development in everything from medical surgery to Wal-Mart cashiers. While these technologies are finding their way into corporate training efforts, their implementation in the Air Force seems infrequent and small-scale. Purchases of commercial systems by units have been useful, but limited. There are several examples of limited testing of XR and a few programs in development that never seem to reach an operational status. The widespread use of these systems is being hampered by several factors. There is a lack of coordinated effort at the enterprise level to develop and guide the use of XR systems. There is no established XR community to exchange ideas and lessons learned. There is no serious involvement from the cyber community in the use of XR systems. Finally, there is no secure network available to host the integration of multiple Air Force XR systems across the globe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 29, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1107328
Entities
People
- Joshua A. Booth
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College