Photos: US Army tests virtual battlefields
In Georgia's Fort Benning, the US Army does its infantry training. While much of a recruit's introduction to the Army is the same as it has always been -- firing ranges, long marches, obstacle courses and the like -- the Army is increasingly utilising new technologies to help soldiers learn their jobs.
The idea is to teach them some skills -- better handling weapons and conditions, for instance -- in simulated environments, before they enter the field. And that's bringing the military big savings on ammunition, since many soldiers are developing skills using electronic systems that previously required firing live rounds. Here, a team of soldiers goes through scenario training using a simulator called VICE, or Virtual Interactive Combat Environment, by Dynamic Animation Systems.
Soldiers control what they do using Xbox-like controllers built into their weapons and everything that happens is recorded in real time on a computer system that their sergeant can monitor to make sure they're doing what they need to.
Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET News.com
Based on Photos: Virtual training at Fort Benning on CNET News.com
