Immersivity and scalability, the rise of XR training in the military and beyond
HTX Labs, an immersive learning software company, has secured a $5.8 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) grant from AFWERX.
This comes after HTX Labs completed a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project, in which it created and delivered a virtual training solution on the KC-135 aircraft for personnel at RAF Mildenhall in the UK.
In collaboration with the 101st Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron of the Maine Air National Guard, HTX Labs will continue this development and deliver a virtual classroom to train, prepare, and support maintainers of the F-108 engine, a critical component of the Boeing KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft.
HTX Labs’ new project seeks to understand and validate the effectiveness of XR-based training, especially in improving maintenance personnel readiness and reducing costs associated with acquiring physical training resources.
Scott Schneider, CEO of HTX Labs, spoke of the company’s commitments in delivering flexible and secure technology solutions that align with the Department of Defense’s evolving training needs, as well as its continuous efforts to decrease government spending.
He said:
“The government is not just looking for tech — they’re looking for solutions that are mission-ready, scalable, and easy to integrate into the broader training ecosystem.”
This initiative aims to enhance, accelerate, and provide more opportunities for training military maintenance personnel, and ultimately improve student learning outcomes by integrating AI-driven immersive lessons through key advancements of HTX Labs’ EMPACT platform.
EMPACT is an AI-driven XR platform that enables instructors and training professionals to create interactive classrooms for students. Users can create virtual training environments and deploy 2D and 3D assets for students to develop new and existing skills.
Advancing Training with XR, a Broader Perspective
Traditional training methods may be expensive to run, especially if they require obtaining equipment, acquiring manuals, hosting off-site training sessions, and settling travel costs, or even replacing accidentally damaged materials.
These lessons may also be infrequent as equipment could have limited availability or even take prolonged periods of time to be approved and delivered, which may lead to slowed skill development and decreased operational readiness.
Therefore, XR simulations may be considered a better alternative for training. Virtual environments eliminate the need for physical setups or training sessions across sites, and there is less reliance on resources and material costs.
As government agencies seek to optimize spending, initiatives like the F-108 engine virtual classroom demonstrate the potential of XR and AI to deliver scalable, cost-effective, high-impact training programs.
The success of this project could even pave the way for a broader implementation of immersive training solutions across various industries, as it encourages innovation and adaptability in evolving job roles.
HTX Labs’ project represents a forward-thinking approach to training, and if this program is effective, it could set a precedent for companies to implement immersive AI-powered training programs that may enhance lessons and student outcomes.
As the defense sector continues to explore innovative solutions in improving training for personnel, the outcomes of this project could influence the adoption of XR technologies beyond use in military training, and across various sectors.
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