The planned integration of a Future Combat Systems (FCS) Virtual Crew Station with haptic peripherals is a major step forward for the development of training systems for the United States Army. This paper reports on a new approach for defining the way soldiers train. The system will allow soldiers to train faster and more effectively than ever before. The key steps in developing such a design are high level architecture design, equipment elicitation and selection, concrete configuration, software installation, interface development, and testing.

The intent of this effort is to conduct experiments involving Future Combat Systems concepts in support of FCS and the Objective Force. Essentially, STRICOM and IST are attempting to create solutions to potential problems. An example of a potential experimental effort would be the study of how to train a soldier to process the massive flow of information or inputs that he/she receives during combat operation of the Future Combat Systems.

The project is still in its initial stage of development, but tremendous progress has been made. At completion of Phase 1 this fall, the human-machine interface will be used to conduct experiments under Phase 2.