There are several systems currently under development which allow the individual combatant to participate in force-on-force distributed simulation. Although the simulations are interesting and show great promise, there have been few investigations into the transfer of training from these simulations to real-world tasks.

The Team Tactical Engagement Simulator (TTES) Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) is a distributive interactive simulation-compliant ATD which provides the capability for US Marine Corps deployed, reinforced rifle squads to participate in force-on-force engagements against computercontrolled hostiles in a virtual environment. The system allows trainees to practice team tactics and decision-making skills by providing the ability to traverse the virtual environment together with other trainees, use a variety of weapons, and engage simulated hostiles and neutrals.

TTES underwent an Early Operational Assessment (EOA) in April 1997. The purpose of this EOA was to investigate the utility of the TTES system as a training device for military operations on urban terrain (MOUT), to gather information from the user community to provide future direction in TTES system development, and to gather program evaluation data and TTES system design information.

This paper will briefly define virtual environment (VE) training and the associated research. An explanation of the TTES components is provided. Included is a discussion of relevant findings and recommendations applicable to TTES and other individual combatant simulators, as well as ideas for future VE research.

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Randall Standridge