Czech Company Unveils Mixed Reality Apache Trainer.

• Author: Luckenbaugh, Josh

ORLANDO, Florida--A new training simulator could take advantage of the niche market for the Army's legacy attack helicopters as the training industry focuses on newer platforms.

Vrgineers, a developer of virtual and mixed reality pilot training systems based in the Czech Republic, recently debuted a new advanced mixed reality trainer for Apache helicopters.

While the Apache is currently the attack helicopter of choice for the U.S. Army, many vendors are looking ahead to the rotorcraft that could come out of the Future Vertical Lift, or FVL, program. Vrgineers saw an opportunity, the company's CEO Marek Polcak said.

With countries such as Australia and Poland deciding to acquire Apache helicopters over the last year, there is "still quite decent demand for Apaches," Polcak said during an interview at the National Training and Simulation Association's annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando, where Vrgineers debuted the Apache trainer.

"We found out that a lot of trainers for Apaches are... ending their lifetime, and there [is] not that much willingness of other suppliers... of trainers to develop new ones, because everyone knows it will be succeeded by" FVL, he added.

Given how fast and affordably Vrgineers could build the Apache trainer with technology it already developed, the company decided to create the system in partnership with U.S.-based company DigiFlight, he said.

The trainer features Vrgineers' XTAL 3 mixed reality headset, which offers 4K resolution and a 180-degree...