Are you flying the T-45? This virtual reality simulator may be coming your way

WASHINGTON ― The U.S. Navy has selected Bohemia Interactive Simulations to develop new augmented and virtual reality technologies to train aircrews.

BISim has been tasked to provide a T-45 simulator cockpit that immerses trainees in a high-fidelity virtual environment. In addition, two T-45 virtual reality part-task trainers will be developed to supplement existing virtual and live training.

The software will grant pilots a 360-degree field of view and recreate the crew station, avionics and flight dynamics of the T-45. The proposed interface will allow pilots to flip switches, turn knobs and interact with cockpit displays as would be done in the real trainer. The goal of the product is to support basic flight and cockpit familiarization, carrier operations and basic fighting maneuvers.

And that could mean big savings.

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The new technology could decrease costs by an order of magnitude in comparison to traditional image generation programs, but it could also allow services to reallocate funds to procure training aircraft, which themselves are expensive.

“Virtual and augmented reality technology have the potential to fundamentally change how aircrew training is delivered,” said John Burwell, vice president of business development for BISim. “These solutions offer tremendous benefits to the U.S. Navy from cost avoidance to offering training at the point of need and ultimately increasing readiness for pilots.”

BISim will build on previous software it developed for a virtual reality F/A-18 Super Hornet training system prototype. The technology will be employed the Chief of Naval Air Training and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division.

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