The MRTS 3D® is a family of government-owned trainers which provides a virtual training environment that simulates a variety of tactical systems. NAWCTSD’s demonstrated success with 3D gaming technologies for virtual environment military training applications has wide implications for the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. Such technologies are easily transferable across the air-land-sea platform spectrum which provides the fleet with vast new opportunities to improve training performance, lower costs, reduced training time, and reduced operational risks. Since the application suite is housed within a standalone network and the government owns the rights, it may be reused on as many devices as required and there are no licensing fees or proprietary software. Therefore, the U.S. Navy is able to save taxpayer money and achieve the ultimate goal of training sailors to perform their duties.
The MRTS 3D® Software Development Kit (SDK) architecture contains enhanced features, such as the framework/network, communications, cybersecurity baselines, standards, and specifications documentation. The procedure tracking engine and data tracking system gives the instructor a greater capability when tracking operator performance and grading assessments.
MRTS 3D® has two main training configurations – classroom and laboratory:
Classroom:
The classroom setup consists of an Instructor/Operator Station (IOS), an Instructor Demonstration Station (IDS), and 1-36 Student Stations (SS).
The IOS hardware typically consists of a single 27-inch or 32-inch touchscreen monitor, an IOS PC, a Mouse/Keyboard/Headset, and an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS), all placed onto a desk.
The SS hardware typically consists of two 27-inch or 32-inch touchscreen monitors, a SS PC, a Mouse/Keyboard/Headset, and an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS), all placed onto a desk.
The Instructor Demonstration Station (IDS) hardware typically consists of a single 86-inch touchscreen monitor, a SS PC, Mouse/Keyboard/Headset, and an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS), all mounted onto a rolling cart.
Laboratory:
The laboratory setup consists of an Instructor/Operator Station (IOS), an Instructor Demonstration Station (IDS), and 1-24 Student Stations (SS).
The IOS hardware typically consists of a single 27-inch or 32-inch monitor, an IOS PC, a Mouse/Keyboard/Headset, and an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS), all placed onto a rolling cart.
The SS hardware typically consists of a single 55-inch touchscreen monitor, a SS PC, a Mouse/Keyboard/Headset, and an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS), all placed onto a rolling cart.
The Instructor Demonstration Station (IDS) hardware typically consists of a single 86-inch touchscreen monitor, a SS PC, Mouse/Keyboard/Headset, and an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS), all mounted onto a rolling cart.
The MRTS 3D® application suite is launched from the Instructor/Operator Station (IOS) onto the Instructor Demonstration Station (IDS) and/or Student Stations (SS). The IOS grants the instructor the ability to customize training by changing scenarios, scenes, and other features within each app. The IOS enables the instructor to train operators one-on-one or in team-training configurations. The IOS is paired with an IDS. The IDS allows the instructor to demonstrate scenarios and lessons to the operators. A SS is where the operator conducts training. When a station contains two monitors, the first is utilized for the MRTS 3D® application training environment and the second is utilized for accessing training media, such as lessons, videos, etc., from the schoolhouse’s training network. The mobile cart system allows for adjustments to the lab layout based on training needs.
The MRTS 3D® contains a vast variety of features that assist operators in their virtual training experience. For example, some applications allow for the operator to teleport to different areas of the virtual environment using an interactive map, some allow them to open videos/interactive schematics/flowcharts, some allow for objects of interest to be highlighted, etc. There are communication menu options that simulate communication between operators. Several MRTS 3D® applications have on-board video demonstrations from Subject Matter Experts (SME) who have experience handling the specific vehicle, aircraft, or equipment. The videos show “step by step” and “how to follow” procedures to the operators.
The MRTS 3D® consistently looks to improve training through innovative technologies. One such technology currently being explored are windows-based handheld gaming devices. The portability and compactness of windows-based handheld gaming devices allow for on-the-go training and use where the standard IOS/IDS/SS equipment cannot physically fit or is not practical to be installed, such as inside a submarine. While laboratory setups provide training to operators through the use of a touchscreen monitor, a VR headset allows the operator to be fully immersed in an environment and have close to a full hands-on experience.
The MRTS 3D® is a successful naval product that has expanded to support a variety of training platforms across several schoolhouses within the continental and outside of the continental United States. MRTS 3D® training applications, through the high fidelity models/environments and realistic training scenarios, allow for a variety of maintenance and operational training in the U.S. Navy to qualify sailors for their position and reinforce job responsibilities in a shortened timeframe compared to traditional learning methods.
