New Mixed Reality Headsets Redefine Military Training

Varjo announced an updated XR-4 Series headset designed to enhance military training across air, land, and sea. First introduced in 2023, the XR-4 line is built for integration into cockpit trainers, vehicle simulators, and ground systems, aiming to provide scalable and realistic mission-ready training. Its compact design supports rapid deployment to training sites worldwide.

“We have worked closely with our simulation and training customers to understand the needs of broad-scale deployment, and the refreshed XR-4 Series is the result of that collaboration,” said Patrick Wyatt, Chief Product Officer at Varjo. 

The refreshed series introduces hardware and software improvements. These include a redesigned headband for greater comfort, improved headset stability, and a front plate compatible with SteamVR tracking. Optimized autofocus passthrough cameras allow pilots to use real checklists and avionics while immersed in simulation. A dedicated night mode supports low-light training environments, while AI-improved passthrough enhances immersion and reduces system load.

“Varjo’s refreshed XR-4 Series lets us bring sensor-accurate, stereo, multi-spectral training into a deployable form factor that expands access far beyond fixed simulators. With Varjo’s mixed reality and our advanced 4D image generator capabilities, our customers can now train 4–10 times more pilots per hour," said Javier Castellar, CSO at Aechelon

Varjo provides hardware and software support for the XR-4 Series through 2030, including professional services for large-scale deployments. The series retains features such as 51 pixels per degree resolution, a 120° x 105° field of view, and secure configurations built in Finland for classified use.

"With XR, we can reconfigure air platforms on the fly — swapping various rotary-wing cockpits in the same compact footprint. The outcome is more reps, greater proficiency, and adaptive collective training in the air and on the ground,” said Eric Carr, Program Director & Manufacturing Director for RVCT, Cole Engineering Services Inc.