The Advanced Navigation Team Shipboard Simulation (ANTS2) project aims to address a training gap in Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) events by providing an immersive and interactive training environment for a ship's navigation team, integrated with existing shipboard training capabilities and with the combat system team. ANTS2 achieves this objective by utilizing emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and the implementation of a Commercial Solution for Classified (CSfC) Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) implementing National Security Administration standards. The ANTS2 project focuses on developing an immersive FST unit-level training experience for the ship's bridge and lookout teams through a two-phased approach spanning two years. Phase one was designed to be conducted in a lab environment, and the second phase was intended to be conducted in a pier-side shipboard FST-U architecture. The ANTS2 team, comprised of government and industry personnel, successfully completed the first phase in September 2019 and transitioned into the second phase in March 2020, which concluded in November 2021. COVID challenges resulted in additional lab-based validation using representative shipboard systems. The ANTS2 project's success hinges on its ability to provide a fully immersive and interactive training environment that integrates with the rest of the FST simulation. By utilizing AR, ANTS2 creates an "out the window" visualization of common FST scenarios that allow trainees to interact with the ship's navigation and handling systems within the bridge and the Combat Information Center (CIC). The application of CSfC provides an untethered network connection to the AR/VR headsets, enabling trainees to move freely within the ship's bridge, while remaining connected to the ship's secure embedded training system. In conclusion, the ANTS2 project aims to fill a crucial training gap in FST events by providing an immersive and interactive training environment for a ship's navigation, ship handling, and topside team.
Keywords
AUGMENTED AND VIRTUAL REALITY (AR/VR);DIS;EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES;HLA;HUMAN PERFORMANCE;IMMERSIVE;LVC;MIXED REALITY;TEAM TRAINING
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