Blended Reality Solution for Live, Virtual, and Constructive Field Training

The proposed Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will determine the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of utilizing emerging blended-reality technologies that enable interoperability with LVC simulations to create more effective and comprehensive Battlefield Airmen training environments. The proposed training technologies will be integrated across multiple platforms (i.e., see-through display goggles, mobile devices/sensors, and wearable computers). The proposed project covers system conceptualization, model development, and evaluation of effectiveness of these integrated technologies. The proposed plan optimizes the inter-relationship of tactical training objectives and realistic operational environments with blended-reality LVC systems. The intention is that through this multifaceted perspective, we may better encompass the essential Pararescue training requirements across a complete mission profile. Along with the technical innovations, we will formulate comprehensive evaluation plans that critically assess the usability of the technology (via System Usability Scale and human factors assessments), the effectiveness of technologies (via within-subjects and between-groups design of field experiments), and the proposed theoretical model and research hypotheses (via engineering trade studies or structural equation modeling). The project is expected to result in an technically advanced and commercially viable system design, powered by robust scene generation algorithms with relevant embedded entity behavioral models.