Raytheon Develops Dismounted Soldier Training Simulator

Raytheon unveiled its new Synthetic Training Environment Soldier Virtual Trainer (STE SVT) at I/ITSEC modeling, simulation and training event in Orlando, Florida, USA.

The STE SVT simulator uses virtual reality to train squads of soldiers in multiple scenarios while using real and virtual weapons, the company said in a statement Monday.

STE will train for air, land, sea, space and cyber using virtual and constructive environments that will be mixed with live training exercises. The current room-sized simulators will be replaced by portable laptop-powered AR/VR headsets that easily can be transported to soldiers for use anywhere at any time.

“The Army can train at their home stations with minimal overhead, or even while deployed,” said Harry Buhl, STE lead investigator for Raytheon.

Soldiers will wear the mixed-reality “Integrated Visual Augmentation System,” which uses Microsoft’s HoloLens goggles.

It is designed to train dismounted infantry and uses the latest technological advances to deliver highly effective training at a moment's notice from any location. It delivers realism and accessibility while reducing the cost and logistical challenge of high-consequence training missions.

"We are blending our understanding of training with emerging technologies – augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and big data – to connect and secure military training,” said Bob Williams, vice president of Global Training Solutions at Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services.