Mixed Reality Training for JTAC

Portable, realistic and immersive training solutions for JTACs at I/ITSEC.

28 November 2018
Joint Terminal Attack Control Training and Rehearsal System developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Human Effectiveness Directorate, Warfighter Readiness Research Division (Photo by Gina Cinardo AFRL/RHA)

 

 Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training specialists QuantaDyn are showcasing the latest in emerging virtual and mixed-reality technologies at I/ITSEC 2018, November 26–30, in Orlando Florida.

Leveraging the latest advancements in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) mixed reality, QuantaDyn's Mixed Reality JTAC (MRJ) expands the capability of the company's QFires training system by combining a “green room” and VR headset, which creates a 360-degree field of view environment without the need for expensive projectors.

COTS virtual reality (VR) technology also forms the basis of the company's Virtual Reality JTAC, or VRJ, which is a portable option for JTAC part task training. “Comprising a laptop and VR system, the trainer packs into a single case and can be set up in less than 10 minutes, allowing training in a variety of environments, including hotels, classrooms, barracks, etc,” says QuantaDyn. In addition to included pre-made scenarios, the instructor can generate new scenarios, or modify existing scenarios during runtime for more dynamic training.

The instructor-focused QFires Advisor uses VR technology to allow the user to observe or lock onto digital entities in the virtual environment. Instructors can control the digital entity, providing dynamic realism to training scenarios. The QFires Advisor system networks with other QFires' training devices, providing additional capabilities to any training system:

  • Immersed Instructor, allowing the instructor to see the simulation from a single entity’s view point or monitor multiple viewpoints
  • During Action Role Player allows dynamic entity response to a student’s actions
  • Immersed Pre-Briefing lets students see what the instructor sees
  • After Action Review allow students to attach to an entity to see how their actions effect the scenario. 

QuantaDyn also announced that a QFires Advanced JTAC Training System (AJTS) will be installed at the Slovenian Armed Forces Air Ground Operations School (AGOS) at Cerklje ob Krki i Air Base.  The training system supports Terminal Control, Terminal Guidance, Close Air Support, Call for Fire, and Joint Fires operations.

The system features an Immersive Display Systems' four-meter diameter dome with 220° x 60° FOV and Barco FS35 projectors. The visual display system provides simultaneous realistic unaided night views and accurate Night Vision Goggle-aided views. MetaVR’s Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) provides geo-specific simulations with high-fidelity graphics. BSI’s Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE) provides the physics-based battle environment with both ground and airborne entities.