December 03, 2008

JFETS the Nexus of Military Training Systems

Albuquerque, New Mexico—December 3, 2008

JFETS, the Joint Fires and Effects Trainer System, is being expanded to connect to other training systems across all forces.  By interacting with other systems, it will allow for both individual and group virtual training and enhances the military’s goal for joint interoperability training.

JFETS is a four-dimensional training environment combining 3-D graphics and an immersive physical environment.  The system trains forward observers as they call for artillery fire in realistic settings and lets them gain the value of lessons learned in a cognitively challenging training system.
The role of the forward observer continues to expand in the Army. In an urban environment, the challenges include limiting collateral damage and noncombatant casualties as the forward observer calls for artillery fire. 

Training in an immersive environment training simulation like JFETS is cost effective, as no real ammunition needs to be expended and the set can be used over and over. Using more virtual training is part of the military’s long term plans for modernization.

JFETS was created in collaboration with the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT).

More information can be found in this release from Senator Inhofe.

Game Production Services (GPS) is a New Mexico-based developer of serious games and immersive mixed-reality environments for education, training, and marketing.  GPS produces computer-based serious games for individual and group learning, as well as compelling immersive environments combining physical and virtual elements.