VR Military Training Breakthrough for the United States Air Force

CLIENT
United States Air Force

OBJECTIVE
Our client tasked us with the objective of developing solutions that could reduce travel and equipment costs within the U.S. Air Force, while also improving employee retention.

The goal was to dramatically reduce training and equipment costs for mobile weather station and broadband network station deployment.

APPROACH
SHIIFT developed a Virtual Reality (VR) technical weather training program for employees using an immersive and interactive simulated experience for working with parts and components on equipment.

Designed to replicate real-world weather station and broadband network operations, allowing trainees to engage with the systems and practice troubleshooting and operational tasks in a virtual environment.

This approach ensured that personnel could receive hands-on training without the need for physical equipment, which reduced both travel and logistical costs.

Our solution was developed through the use of a VR headset, making it accessible to trainees from various locations, allowing for scalable, repeatable training without the constraints of geographic location or equipment availability.

What were the problems faced in USAF’s Weather Training?

SHIIFT was retained by the United States Air Force in order to reduce the high costs of training and to reduce the resources required in order to deploy and work with live weather control stations and broadband network stations. This also included accounting for employee retention and the loss of efficiency, thus our solution needed to improve employee retention and increase efficiency dramatically.

The client also needed to drastically reduce expenditures on travel and equipment costs that are typically incurred for employees to work with live equipment and operational assets.

High Costs of Traditional Air Force Training

The United States Air Force faced significant financial challenges due to the high costs associated with training on the TMQ-53, a highly expensive piece of equipment. With a limited number of units available, there were not enough TMQ-53s for widespread training, which required instructors and trainees to travel to specific locations annually for refresher training.

This resulted in substantial travel expenses. Additionally, the large number of trainees needing annual training led to a massive recurring cost each year, further straining the budget.

EFFICIENCY AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION CHALLENGES IN MILITARY TRAINING

Beyond the high costs, the Air Force also faced challenges related to the efficiency of training and employee retention. The requirement for instructors and trainees to travel to specific locations for annual training limited the frequency and consistency of training opportunities. This occasional access to training sessions meant that personnel had fewer chances to practice critical skills and reinforce their knowledge on a regular basis.

As a result, while employees remained engaged, the limited training opportunities made it harder for them to fully develop their skills and for the Air Force to maintain the highest levels of efficiency and readiness.

LIMITED SCALABILITY IN WEATHER TRAINING PROGRAMS

The U.S. Air Force operates a limited number of TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing Systems, which are essential for real-time weather data collection in austere environments. Given the high cost of each unit, and the logistical challenges associated with transporting and setting up these systems, the Air Force faces difficulties in providing widespread, hands-on training.

Virtual training experiences offer a viable solution by eliminating the need for physical travel to specialized locations. By simulating the use of TMQ-53 systems in a virtual environment, personnel can gain critical operational experience without the limitations imposed by the availability and mobility of the actual equipment. This can significantly reduce costs while improving training accessibility and efficiency.