UK Royal Air Force to Trial Red 6 Augmented Reality Technology
RAF FAIRFORD, UK–The UK Royal Air Force plans to trial augmented reality technology to see if it can be used to speed up the training of fast jet pilots.
The UK defense ministry, along with BAE Systems and U.S. company Red 6, will install the latter company’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems (ATARS) onto a BAE Systems Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer later this year to demonstrate the technology. ATARS inserts programmed virtual adversaries into the pilot’s helmet-mounted display for the Hawk pilots to engage, the service and BAE Systems announced during the Royal International Air Tattoo here on July 19.
The UK defense ministry says the technology could help reduce the demand for live assets and means that pilots can achieve more training per flying hour.
The trials will assist the RAF in “assessing and analyzing the interoperability and capability of this new technology,” say officials as the service considers whether augmented reality (AR) should form part of its future flight training strategy. If adopted, the technology could be further developed and updated.
“We are always looking for opportunities that innovative technologies potentially offer to improve our training delivery,” says Commodore Steve Jose, the head of the UK Military Flight Training System Delivery Team at the UK defense materiel agency, Defense Equipment and Support.