XR Makes Military Training and Simulations More Effective

HTC VIVE has released a report on the use of extended reality (XR) by the five United States military branches titled “The State of Extended Reality (XR) Training in the U.S. Military.” In the report, created from a survey of 400 active-duty military trainers and procurement specialists in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, 81% of respondents said that XR increases confidence and cultivates the required muscle memory for successful application, and nearly 80% said that XR enhances their education plans and empowers trainers to be more effective.

“The findings from this survey confirm what we’ve heard from our partners, who are increasingly relying on XR training to prepare for the rigors of active duty in a safe, effective, and scalable way,” said Dan O’Brien, GM of Americas at HTC VIVE. “HTC VIVE is the industry leader in secure XR technology and services for a reason. We ensure our devices are TAA-compliant – a requirement for many government departments – and we’re always innovating. Our newest headset, VIVE XR Elite, features lifelike color passthrough which opens the door to a new level of realism and retention in training.”

The military is constantly searching for new ways to augment personnel training, enhance retention, and increase recruitment. XR training offers a safe, cost-effective way to expose recruits to complex training scenarios at scale, immersing them in detailed, highly repeatable scenarios. The simulations empower trainees to exercise critical thinking, quick reflexes, and soft skills while reacting to high-stress situations. They also offer recruits the opportunity to perform complicated procedures without the need for expensive hardware.

Other findings from the report include:

The primary utilization of XR in the military includes immersive combat training (54%), simulated training exercises (52%), and technical training (47%).

76% of respondents said that XR allows trainees to complete training programs faster, and 77% said it helps prepare them for dangerous real-world situations because they’ve had the opportunity to practice in a simulated environment.

74% of respondents said that the implementation of XR training gives them a recruitment edge, and 70% said it helps them retain top talent.

75% of respondents not currently using XR for training plan to implement an XR-based training solution by 2028.

Nearly 80% of respondents said XR enhances education plans and empowers training coordinators to be more effective.

To learn more about the use of XR in military training and how XR is enhancing recruitment efforts, read the full report: “ The State of Extended Reality (XR) Training in the U.S. Military.”

HTC VIVE will be attending the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida, from November 27th to December 1st. If you plan to attend, please visit booth #3211 for a hands-on experience of deploying secure immersive training solutions with VR/XR.