Augmented Reality Systems Demonstrated During Naval Exercise

Augmented Reality Systems Demonstrated During Naval Exercise

augmented reality systems

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The US Navy has revealed that it successfully demonstrated augmented reality systems, autonomous vehicles, and advanced wireless networks during a military exercise. The systems were among over 50 new technologies showcased during the amphibious Ship-to-Shore Maneuver Exploration and Experimentation Advanced Naval Technology Exercise 2017 in a California base.

According to shepardmedia.com, the series of exercises focused on five traditional capabilities of amphibious operations – ship-to-shore maneuver, weapons fire support and effects, clearing assault lanes, command and control, and information warfare.

The exercise brought together industry, academia and the Naval Research and Development Establishment, and was conducted by hundreds of marines, sailors and Department of Defense contractors. During each amphibious exercise, unmanned surface and underwater vehicles conducted reconnaissance missions collecting intelligence about battlespace conditions and providing an accurate picture of what the men would face.
According to onr.navy.mil, several ONR and Naval Research Laboratory sponsored systems  were featured:

  • The Battlespace Exploitation of Mixed Reality (BEMR Lab) virtual/augmented reality technology – This cutting-edge technology merges virtual reality and augmented reality through the use of Oculus Rift goggles.
  • The Mine Warfare Rapid Assessment Capability (MIW RAC) – a small quadcopter fitted with ultra-sensitive magnetometer and sensors to detect mines and provide real-time data to a handheld Android device.
  • The Coalition Tactical Awareness and Response (CTAR) satellite imagery surveillance system – this system uses satellite imagery to conduct surveillance of large areas of open ocean. CTAR processes image data to generate detailed reports about maritime activity in these ocean areas, and can share this information with partners and allies.

‘The large scope of this exercise allows the navy and marine Corps to make informed decisions about future generations of technology for use by the warfighter,’ said David Walker, director of technology at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). ‘This pairing of sailors and marines with scientists and technologists will help move innovation at a faster pace.’