Ascent-MOD Trial VR Tech for Fast Jet Training

Ascent Flight Training, in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) customer, is undertaking virtual reality (VR) trials at Royal Air Force Valley as part of the on-going development of innovative solutions for fast jet training. Ascent is working in partnership with the MOD and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and with industry partners Lockheed Martin and CAE UK in trialling the initiative.

The programme is looking at ways to improve the training on offer, increase the capacity of training courses, and to enable more students to be fast-tracked through the pipeline to the front line.

The trials are using new Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, including upgrading some of the existing Lockheed Martin Flying Training Devices, as well as CAE’s Sprint VR trainer modelled on the T-6 Texan aircraft. Additional technologies being trialled include 360 video capture and playback through VR headsets, and mixed reality. The programme will also evaluate the potential for virtual instructor student performance monitoring.

By using enhanced ground-based simulated flight experiences, it is expected that students will be able to gain skills faster and undertake training that cannot be easily replicated in the air, such as formation flying and combat exercises.

The results of the trials will be available this summer and then independently validated through academic peer review, with the outcome driving the design of future course design for the UKMFTS programme.