Orlando-based Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) builds and sells advanced simulation and training software for its customers, who buy products like VBS3 to train military personnel in over 50 countries. VBS3 is used for activities including practicing missions and performing tactical training.
The US Navy just awarded BISim a contract to provide an AR visual system designed to immerse trainees sitting in and interacting with a real T-45 Goshawk simulator cockpit. The company is trying to help the US Navy improve existing training systems, which already include a combination of virtual reality and live training sessions.
BISim will also create two Virtual Reality Part Task Trainers (VRPTTS) for the T-45. Together, these technologies will allow pilots a 360-degree Field-of-View (FoV) as well as recreating realistic flight dynamics through their interaction with the sum simulation and physical replica, while wearing an HMD (Head-Mounted Display) unit.
During training, pilots can hit switches and interact with all instrumentation present on the T-45 cockpit display. More importantly, it allows them to learn and understand what the actual T-45 Goshawk trainer will be like, and how to execute basic flight and fighting maneuvers as well as carrier operations.
Bottom Line
The US Navy is looking to reduce the cost of training pilots and use augmented and virtual reality systems designed by BISim, to offset the cost of new T-45 Goshawk training jets, which are incredibly expensive, costing USD 22 million each. BISim seems poised to pull it off, since they’re building the T-45 trainer jet software from virtual reality software they’d previously developed as a training system for the F-18 Super Hornet.