Infantry Immersion Trainer
Encyclopedia
The Infantry Immersion Trainer (IIT) is a mixed reality
training facility prototype for small unit Infantry located in a 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) former tomato packing plant in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
, California. It has been in operation since November 2007. The original IIIT is now known as IIT Phase I. A purpose built IIT was built adjacent to Phase I in Camp Pendleton. A second IIT was built in a historic warehouse in Camp Lejeune and a third was built in Hawaii.
during which an individual Observes a situation, Orients to it and develops courses of action (COA), makes a Decision, and Acts. Stress inoculation is conducted at the facility where a rifleman is put into multiple situations that in turn replicate the stressors and physiological responses faced in combat, thus building the individuals stress-immune system.
During a visit to the IIT, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said, "It's a reminder of what simulation can do. It certainly is great preparation for the marines as they prepare to go to Iraq. Very impressive, very realistic and in the end hopefully, we'll contribute significantly to a better way to execute the mission and save lives."
, and by elements of the I MEF TEG (Training and Experimentation Group) to include the Battle Simulation Center, to serve as a way to inoculate the Marine Rifleman with the sights, sounds, and smells of the chaotic environment experienced in close quarters urban warfare.
Although it was built quickly, it was based on more than 10 years of research.
under the leadership of CDR Dylan Schmorrow
.
Special Effects Small Arms Marking System (SESAMS), computer-generated avatars, and other technologies combine with real sets and objects. It is this combination of the virtual and live worlds that allows the Marines to go through the training scenario wearing their standard combat gear.
In 2009 a second IIT facility was opened at the Marine Corps Systems Command Gruntworks facility in Stafford, Virginia. The Gruntworks Research for Infantry Integration Testing (GRIIT) provides a realistic environment to test infantryman's combat equipment so it can be further optimized.
The Future Immersive Training Environment (FITE) Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) upgraded many of the technologies in IIT Phase I. In addition to avatar upgrades, there were significant upgrades to tracking and after action review. Animatronics of Afghan civilians were added to the marketplace. The FITE JCTD concluded in FY 11.
Mixed reality
Mixed reality refers to the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualisations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time...
training facility prototype for small unit Infantry located in a 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) former tomato packing plant in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California. It has been in operation since November 2007. The original IIIT is now known as IIT Phase I. A purpose built IIT was built adjacent to Phase I in Camp Pendleton. A second IIT was built in a historic warehouse in Camp Lejeune and a third was built in Hawaii.
Description
The interior of an abandoned warehouse has been turned into an embattled Middle Eastern town through the use of sets, and special effects such as projections, pyrotechnics, sounds, and smells. The combination of live and virtual training is what makes this an example of immersive training.Purpose
The IIT facility is designed to be a decision house for the Marine Rifleman and the Small Unit Leader (SUL); focusing on increasing the tempo of the OODA LoopOODA Loop
The OODA loop is a concept originally applied to the combat operations process, often at the strategic level in military operations. It is now also often applied to understand commercial operations and learning processes...
during which an individual Observes a situation, Orients to it and develops courses of action (COA), makes a Decision, and Acts. Stress inoculation is conducted at the facility where a rifleman is put into multiple situations that in turn replicate the stressors and physiological responses faced in combat, thus building the individuals stress-immune system.
During a visit to the IIT, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said, "It's a reminder of what simulation can do. It certainly is great preparation for the marines as they prepare to go to Iraq. Very impressive, very realistic and in the end hopefully, we'll contribute significantly to a better way to execute the mission and save lives."
History
The IIT facility was built by the Office of Naval Research and PMTRASYS at the request of the Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), then LtGen James MattisJames Mattis
James N. Mattis is a United States Marine Corps general and the current commander of United States Central Command. Having replaced David Petraeus on August 11, 2010, he previously commanded United States Joint Forces Command from November 9, 2007 to August 2010 and served concurrently as NATO's...
, and by elements of the I MEF TEG (Training and Experimentation Group) to include the Battle Simulation Center, to serve as a way to inoculate the Marine Rifleman with the sights, sounds, and smells of the chaotic environment experienced in close quarters urban warfare.
Although it was built quickly, it was based on more than 10 years of research.
Technology
Technology elements of the facility were pioneered by the Tech Solutions program at the Office of Naval ResearchOffice of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research , headquartered in Arlington, Virginia , is the office within the United States Department of the Navy that coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S...
under the leadership of CDR Dylan Schmorrow
Dylan Schmorrow
Dylan Schmorrow is a Captain in the US Navy Medical Service Corps, and serves as the Acting Director of the Human Performance, Training, and BioSystems Research Directorate at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Research & Engineering at Office of the Secretary of Defense...
.
Special Effects Small Arms Marking System (SESAMS), computer-generated avatars, and other technologies combine with real sets and objects. It is this combination of the virtual and live worlds that allows the Marines to go through the training scenario wearing their standard combat gear.
In 2009 a second IIT facility was opened at the Marine Corps Systems Command Gruntworks facility in Stafford, Virginia. The Gruntworks Research for Infantry Integration Testing (GRIIT) provides a realistic environment to test infantryman's combat equipment so it can be further optimized.
The Future Immersive Training Environment (FITE) Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) upgraded many of the technologies in IIT Phase I. In addition to avatar upgrades, there were significant upgrades to tracking and after action review. Animatronics of Afghan civilians were added to the marketplace. The FITE JCTD concluded in FY 11.
Developers
- Potomac Training Corporation: Program Management and Systems Engineering.
- Naval Air Systems Command Orlando: Developed government-owned protocol allowing small weapon-mounted lasers to interact with the avatars.
- Strategic Operations: Set development and construction, pyrotechnics and other simulated elements.
- Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California: FlatWorld technology and avatars.
- Game Production Services: Designed and installed the Joint Fires and Effects Training System (JFETS) and other hardware including computers and projectors.
- Lockheed Martin, Simulation and Training Systems: Software and Systems Engineering.
- Design Interactive: Scenario Development