An augmented reality system from the Office of Naval Operations Research (ONR), which could revolutionize military training, was recently tested by the U.S. Marine Corps.
The system allows any area to be transformed into a dynamic training space and was demonstrated on November 6 at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. The training team (AITT) provides simulation-level services in the space, so that training activity is possible anywhere, as the system works by introducing virtual data (indirect fire effects, aircraft, vehicles, virtual people, etc.) into the user's field of view, who perceives as the final result an "enriched" surrounding space.
“This is essentially a reality on top of a virtual one: the system knows where you are in the real world, and it is able to accurately place other objects in the environment, holding them there – something that is a big challenge for other systems,” said Dr. Peter Squire, ONR program manager.
The program, now in its fourth year of development, has evolved from a static device to a portable one, and in the next—and final—phase the goal is to improve it so that it can be transformed from a screen (where users see the world through a head-worn video camera) to a window that projects images directly into their glasses or face shield. Currently, the system works well when the user is stationary or moving slowly, but the optical approach will allow for greater flexibility.
For his part, Lieutenant Commander Steve Bravo, an ONR official who participated in the tests, envisions a system whose use could be expanded to link movements of large volumes of troops, armored vehicles, and other assets to conduct large-scale exercises, where all participants would be able to receive a level of training without the costs involved in flying aircraft, consuming fuel and ammunition, etc.
Source: defencenet.gr
