Orlando Firm - DiSTI - Virtualizes Training Expands Economic Footprint

In the past quarter, Orlando-based DiSTI Corporation has received three contracts totaling $10.6 million for the development of training devices to teach US Army and other foreign military maintenance personnel using video game technology.

The contract awards cover training devices for the Stryker armored vehicle, the M1A2 battle tank, and the Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) defensive weapon system. These 3D virtual maintenance training (VMT) devices are changing how Millennials, entering service today, learn to troubleshoot and repair critical force protection resources using technology they're accustomed to - 3D video games.

As a result of this growing demand for video games that teach maintenance personnel, DiSTI has expanded their facility space near the University of Central Florida by 5,000 square feet in 2016 and plan to hire 15 more software engineers at the beginning of 2017.

US Army Lt. Col John Morelos, battalion commander of the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (WAATS) Total Army School System said of a helicopter VMT device DiSTI delivered earlier this year, "By leveraging technology and learner-centric teaching strategies, the VMT provides a familiar digital platform that connects with the new generation of soldiers."