Free-Roam VR Supports UK First In Operational Training

In what is believed to be a UK MOD first, Soldiers from 6 Regiment (RLC) used a free-roam Virtual Reality training system to be signed off on operational training.

Trainers from the Regiment used the AVRT (Adaptive Virtual Reality Training) system as a blended solution to deliver modules of the Urban Operations curriculum, carrying out dynamic scenarios centred on soldier behaviours and tactics within a simulated environment.

They used the system to conduct controlled scenario based tactical training where the instructor was given full autonomy of the environment, conditions, layouts and enemy. The system was originally being used to assess the trainees on their tactical skills and drill within the instructor led scenarios. However, seeing the versatility of the system, the instructor decided to conduct all the Urban lessons within the system as well, where he was fully immersed, using the AVRT VR headset and equipment, whilst teaching Urban skills and drills, to the trainees that were looking at his avatar as the instructor.

Some of the lessons that were conducted in this style were positions of weapon carriage, formations and movement in the Urban environment, doorway entry methods and the five step entry.

After Action Reviews of the scenarios were carried out using the system’s full 3D replays, allowing the trainers to drill down into the performance of the trainees, providing an enhanced capability to deliver effective feedback.

A 6 Regiment RLC Instructor, who led the training sessions was asked about the Regiment’s usage of the system said:

"The use of AVRT allowed us to conduct Individual Training Record (ITR) 10.4 (Urban Basics) level training in a safe and controlled environment that was realistic, intuitive, forgiving and responsive.

"The Digitised system is exactly what we need to be utilising to inspire enthusiasm towards training in the newer generation of soldier. Soldiers enjoyed the training and the experience, the use of user scenario playback was extremely helpful and allowed the trainees to see exactly what they did, could have done, and inspired increased tactical thinking and awareness when they conducted the training again."

Asked if the use of VR meant they were able to to improve upon any elements, the trainer said: 

"Absolutely, the system allowed me as the instructor to see exactly what the trainees could see with the help of the first-person view feature. This allowed me to see how they reacted according to the scenario, which helped me to better tailor the training towards the individual.  This meant that I could adapt the scenario to suit, such as changing the amount of enemy that they were against, where the enemy positions were, changing the layout of the environment, changing the way that the enemy AI based characters behaved and reacted within the scenario, and many more.

"It is not an understatement to say that the training was so immersive and realistic that the users forgot they were in a VR setting and were quickly using the VR walls as cover and protection from fire. Some users were even stepping over virtual deceased enemy after they had been shot.

·The AVRT system was chosen by 6 Regiment for use for these training sessions due to its highly adaptive nature which allowed the flexibility to gradually increase the difficulty level of the training scenarios to test the developing skills of the group. The system was deployed into a general multi-use space for the duration of the training sessions, highlighting the portable and flexible nature of the platform.

The AVRT system is commercially available for purchase and short-term session rental now.