Increasing Realism in Virtual Marksmanship Simulators
Abstract
The U.S. military currently uses a number of virtual marksmanship simulators to help train its soldiers and Marines in marksmanship techniques. Like all information systems, these virtual marksmanship simulators rapidly become outdated and need to be upgraded or replaced. One aspect that can potentially be improved is the "realism" of these simulators with regard to their graphics quality. The problem is that simulator realism is a highly complex subject, with many more factors to account for besides graphics quality. The author hypothesizes the following: (1) one or more specific factors can be identified that impact the realism of virtual marksmanship simulators; and (2) improving or enhancing a factor, such as graphics quality, will have a positive effect on a participant's objective score and/or subjective experience with the simulator. A group of 17 civilian and active-duty military volunteers conducted baseline training with the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) and then participated in two different scenarios using the standard Navy Handgun Qualification Course (NHQC). One scenario used a low-resolution background, while the other scenario used a high-resolution background. Results partially supported the hypotheses. While no conclusive objective data identified any specific factors that impact the realism of virtual marksmanship simulators, there was subjective data to suggest that graphics quality did impact the realism of virtual marksmanship simulators. Likewise, the objective data taken from shooters' scores showed no improvement between low-resolution and high-resolution scenarios, but the subjective experience of the participants trended positively toward higher fidelity graphics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA574788
Entities
People
- Brian P. Worden
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School