WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA)-- This week at the Association of the United States Army Convention in Washington D.C. designers unveiled a new virtual simulator intended to help train troops before the deploy for war.
The simulator is called the Expedition DI and it's made by Quantum 3D. The system, which immerses troops in virtual combat, is made up of a helmet with goggles, a vest and computer backpack, and a mock M-16 rifle. Once suited up, the troops can be placed in almost any urban combat scenario with mission objectives.
Former Marine sergeant Andrew Pedry said, "We have come a long way from close order drills and battle field tactics."
Quantum 3D marketing director Pratish Shah said each individual simulator costs in the tens of thousands of dollars. About the sophistication of the system, he said, "We actually have a work station processor, intel processor and video graphics processor and that is generating the 3D imagery."
As of early October more than 2700 coalition forces troops have been killed in Aghanistan alone. Both soldiers and the manufacturers of the Expedition DI hope the training done in a virtual environment using the simulator will better prepare those heading to batttle.
Pedry said, "This is a tool that we haven't had previously that allows people to be that much more ready, and hopefully that means more guys come home healthy and alive."