In Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality News
August 7, 2025 – Varjo, a provider of industrial-grade virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) hardware and software, has recently shared that it has received delivery of a full-scale F/A‑18C/E replica cockpit from Dogfight Boss, a provider of aviation simulation technology.
The simulator, which integrates with Varjo’s XR‑4 headset to support mixed reality flight training, is now operational at the company’s headquarters (Varjo HQ) in Helsinki, Finland, and offers a turnkey solution for advanced flight training and mission rehearsal demonstrations. It features a detailed replica cockpit equipped with HOTAS, multifunction displays, pedals, and a custom-built ejection seat. “Everything the pilot touches, sees, or interacts with is spot on,” said Lukas Homola, CEO of Dogfight Boss. “That’s key for developing authentic muscle memory.”
The system connects to Mission Combat Simulator (MCS) software and supports mixed reality overlays through Varjo’s XR‑4 headset, enabling pilots to train in immersive environments while maintaining interaction with physical controls. According to Homola, the Varjo integration allows “a perfectly aligned virtual environment onto the physical hardware,” providing a hybrid training experience with full visual and tactile fidelity.
To support real-world use cases, the Dogfight Boss simulator includes native blending for MR demos and force feedback systems, including vibration elements embedded in the seat to simulate key events such as gear deployment and weapon release. “Physical cues are just as important as visuals for immersion,” noted Homola.
Dogfight Boss’s clients include military programs, aerospace research labs, and flight academies. Recent deployments include a simulation solution tailored for the Czech University of Defense. The company’s middleware, the DFB App, enables seamless integration with various sim platforms and includes an instructor interface for remote monitoring and control.
“We’re seeing XR cockpits used for everything from fighter pilot training to mission rehearsal for complex joint operations. They’re also incredibly valuable in R&D, testing new cockpit layouts or human-machine interfaces,” added Homola. “Together [with Varjo], we’re creating systems that redefine what’s possible in professional simulation.”
For more information on Varjo and its XR headsets and solutions, click here. For more information on Dogfight Boss and its custom-designed mixed reality simulators for flight training, click here.
Image / video credit: Varjo / Dogfight Boss
About the author
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix, where he has spent years immersed in the XR ecosystem, tracking its evolution from early prototypes to the technologies shaping the future of human experience. While primarily covering the latest AR and VR news, his interests extend to the wider world of human augmentation, from AI and robotics to haptics, wearables, and brain–computer interfaces.