Hello World,
I would like to start this week's blog with a shoutout to all the people who have read this blog and commented. Last week's post talked mostly about the possible impact of Augmented Reality (AR) in an educational setting. This week, I want to talk about the impact of AR in the Army and military. Some people have already commented about AR use in their specific branch, but let's take a look at what's coming next.
According to Michael Morozov, Founder and CEO of Jasoren, there are three major solutions for AR in the Army. The first one is Tactical Augmented Reality (TAR). TAR looks like night vision goggles, but it has GPS, a wireless connection to a thermal weapons sight, and helmet and weapons cameras for increased range and seeing over or around obstacles with exposing your head. The second is HUD 3.0. The HUD 3.0 also includes a wireless weapons sight, but it connects you to other important real time data such as drone feeds, geographic and topographical overlays. In essence, HUD 3.0 connects every resource on the battlefield to your display. The third AR is Synthetic Training Environment (STE). STE will combine AR with Virtual Reality (VR) and help the military save money on training by allowing virtual simulations replace expensive field training exercises or it will add virtual friendly and enemy assets to your real training environment. Soldiers in the Tactical Operation Center (TOC) will be able to maneuver virtual elements and interact with live Soldiers to improve training for a complex environment.
I am interested to hear what everyone thinks after they check out the video and article at
https://jasoren.com/augmented-reality-military/ Let me know what you think.
Chuck
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteReading your blog post this week has me excited for our young soldiers and their training. Tactical Augmented Reality sounds exciting, I always thought the hardest part to incorporate AR or VR training was the limitations of the space available to house, and maintain those resources while also offering enough space for the users (units) to be able to use at the company level and below. Over the last ten years or more we as an Army have really stepped up or game in using these types of platforms as a training aid. I remember years ago as a young Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunner how simplistic the Bradley simulators were. It was like playing a very cheesy Nintendo game except at 2 am I would rather be sleeping. Since then, the simulators now a days have an incredible level of graphics and simulations while also providing the users with numerous scenarios to test their level of proficiency. The Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) in my opinion was the real first AR application we actual could use to train and raise efficiency levels prior to going to the live fire range.
Tony
Tony,
DeleteThanks for the reply. I remember both the BFV trainer and EST. The Army is still using both unfortunately. I think it is so amazing what is already being tested. Extremely cool and effective equipment. Thanks again.
Chuck
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChuck,
ReplyDeleteAR is pretty cool. I wish it was that easy to get the bad guy. The new equipment and technology the Army is getting are amazing. I remember my first pair of night vision goggles (NVGs) were the PVS 7. It worked but not awesome. NVGs have steadily improved from the PVS 7 to the 14, then the PSQ 20 with thermal capabilities, to the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular. These things are really cool. They are definitely better than anything I have used. Check out the link below to see a video on these NVGs.
Being able to look around corners or over obstacles without exposing yourself is amazing. I never thought that could be possible but it is. When are we going to see the technology on camouflaging yourself like the movie Predator? I am sure that will be possible someday. Thanks
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/10/this-advanced-night-vision-goggle-is-headed-to-army-and-marine-units-sooner-than-you-think/
Mark
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I liked the article you linked in. I found the Tactical Augmented Reality (TAR) video and the concept very interesting. They look like a pair of really cool sunglasses with AR built in. Interesting idea but for some reason I keep thinking that a tactical AR with 'heads up' display would be better served with a full visor, perhaps built in the helmet, sort of like a motorcycle helmet. It seems like a more elaborate helmet would have the potential to increase functionality by a considerable amount. The video also reminded me of the threat of combat operations in a 'megacity'. This type of technology would be a great asset when when operating in a dense urban environment. My biggest questions would be how do these systems interact in the digital environment. How useful would they be in an electronic warfare environment that seems likely against a near peer adversary or even non-state actors with a capable IT cell. In theory these devices look awesome, we should apply for a grant to get some AR headsets and test them, that would make for some really good blog posts, thanks.
Craig
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the future technology that will soon be available for future Soldiers for both training and future operations. But I am sure the cost of this technology is quite expensive and not many Soldiers will experience the use of this technology. Those that due, will probably gain a great benefit with this technology.
Billy
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic and the subject for this week. Thanks for sharing something that is near and dear to my heart as an 11 series. I'm with Billy here- that I hope we get to have that type of technology for the future Army, but my main concern and always has been for the last 20 plus years is the applicability, functionality, reliability, and how costly that type of technology will be. I do believe in this type of technology though- trust me- but I don't think that will ever replace the real experience- In my opinion, nothing can replace the elements of nature, the human dimension, and effects it has on the human psyche and anatomy- your thoughts?
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think this is pretty awesome for the future of soldiers! I'm sure this technology will be rather expensive but pretty awesome to be able to use.
Marianna