US Air Force’s new Virtual Reality Learning Laboratory includes 33 training stations offering interactive VR modules

In Virtual Reality News

January 26, 2021 – Mass Virtual, a provider of virtual reality (VR) technology and training solutions, has announced that the US Air Force’s (USAF) Integrated Technology Platform (ITP) team recently held its ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Virtual Reality Learning Laboratory at Joint Base San-Antonio-Lackland in Texas, US.

The learning lab is home to the ‘Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence’ (COE), which is tasked with training 2,700 students each year. The lab includes 33 virtual reality stations that offer a multitude of highly interactive VR learning modules, according to Mass Virtual.  

The ceremony, hosted by Major Jordan B. Clark, Commander of the 344th Training Squadron, signified the official launch of the ‘ITP Virtual Hangar’ into the COE’s training pipeline. Major Clark spoke of the journey that the initiative has taken, and referred to the effort as “the Rudy Ruettiger of training Initiatives…no longer a concept, not an idea, but … an actual (working) part of the Air Force.” This is because the training, which is now under the USAF’s ITP, is being distributed to units around the globe. 

Commenting on the ceremony, Mass Virtual stated: “A special thanks to the 344th and ITP for changing the way we teach our Warriors. The Mass Virtual team is proud to be a part of this advancement to deliver next generation VR training technologies that will empower the United States military to be mission-ready now and into the future.”

In October last year, Mass Virtual was awarded a five-year contract worth USD $59 million to provide its virtual training solutions in partnership with the USAF Integrated Technology Platform (ITP). The newly opened Learning Laboratory and ITP Virtual Hangar delivers vital training on more than 20 aircraft platforms, and incorporates Mass Virtual’s VR training content.

For more information on Mass Virtual and its virtual reality solutions for simulations and training, please visit the company’s website.

Image credit: Mass Virtual

About the author

Sam Sprigg

Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.