The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is expanding its use of mixed-reality training under a contract it awarded to Vertex Solutions for 25 additional T-38 Gen 2 reconfigurable enhanced immersive training devices (eITDs). Part of the Virtual TRaining for Air Dominance (VTRAD) Fighter/Bomber Fundamentals program, the eITDs provide training for cockpit familiarization, emergency procedures, and mission scenario rehearsal, reducing the time needed in aircraft and more traditional simulators.

According to Vertex, the devices can be used for both individual and team-based learning, and they have built-in instructor oversight and flexible scenario customization.

The contract was awarded by the Air Education and Training Command under the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU issued a “Success Memo” accepting the prototype VTRAD fast jet simulators, justifying and authorizing the award of sole-source contracts to Vertex for mixed-reality simulators. The company’s trainers are in use across the USAF and Navy undergraduate pilot training programs.

“Vertex now has more immersive training device configurations in operation than any other provider,” said Sandra Reiter, principal owner and CEO of Vertex Solutions. “That speaks to our ability to innovate, adapt, and scale solutions that not only meet mission requirements but also get results.”

Vertex has delivered more than 500 training devices across the military and commercial aviation sectors.