Extended reality (XR) is an all-encompassing term that groups three similar technologies: (1) virtual reality (VR), (2) augmented reality (AR), and (3) mixed reality (MR). While XR is a field that has been in development in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) since the late 1960s, it has continued to see major advancements in recent years. This transformative technology has already made an impact across the DoD and holds considerable potential to improve the defense sector in the coming years. This report explores the current landscape of XR technology and discusses its applications in maintenance and repair within the DoD. In addition, current technological advancements made by impact players in the XR space are showcased, accompanied by research from academic journals and scientific reports. By examining both the benefits and the challenges, this report highlights how VR, AR, and MR are already transforming defense space by providing cost savings, time efficiency, and risk reduction to a variety of training programs in the defense industry. With the recent developments in the field of XR, the DoD will be presented with opportunities to harness the capabilities of technology to enhance training programs and maintenance procedures.
Extended Reality for Maintenance and Repair Training
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to 82nd Airborne 3rd Brigade Combat Team, train with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System as a part of Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) at Camp Talega, California, Oct. 11, 2022. During PC22 many systems will be tested to determine how future command and control capabilities can be integrated with all-service multi-national partners (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thiem Huynh)
POSTED: July 17, 2024
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