The Above Real-Time Training (ARTT) concept is a unique and virtually untested approach to training high performance skills. ARTT refers to a training paradigm that places the operator in a simulated environment that functions at faster than normal time. Such a training paradigm represents a departure from the intuitive, but not often supported, feeling that the best practice is determined by the training environment with the highest fidelity. Such a training paradigm is hypothesized to provide greater "transfer value" per simulation trial, by incorporating novel training techniques and instructional features into the simulator. These techniques may allow individuals to acquire these critical skills faster and with greater retention.

In this study, 25 naive male subjects performed three tank gunnery tasks under varying levels of time acceleration (i.e., 1.0x, 1.6x, 2.0x, sequential, and random). The subjects were then transferred to a standard 1.0x condition for testing. Every accelerated condition or combination of conditions produced better training and transfer than the standard real-time or 1.0x condition. Most effective was the presentation of trials at 1.0x, 1.6x, and 2.0x in a random order during training. These findings appear to be consistent with previous findings that show positive effects of task variation during training. Moreover, ARTT has merit in improving or maintaining transfer with sharp reductions in training time. Other implications for ARTT are discussed in this paper, along with future research directions.