The newest version of the Army’s 3D virtual training game, Virtual Battle Space 3, allows players to personalize their avatar in the simulation and the scenes and scenarios look much more real to boot. Using new human dimensioning modeling within Virtual Battle Space 3, called VBS3, Soldiers using the educational will installed personal characteristics, including their very own height, weight, Army Physical Fitness Test scores or even their weapons qualifications scores, “so then the avatar will only be as capable because the individual Soldier,” said Robert Munsey, an analyst with U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Capability Manager — Virtual... Read More »
The RAF has begun training at the Puma Mk2 helicopter following a £260 million upgrade programme. Pictures released today show crews from 33 and 230 Squadrons finishing up training flights of the upgraded aircraft from their base at RAF Benson in Oxford. The multi million pound upgrade implies that the helicopters take pleasure in new engines which provide them 35 per cent more power and improved fuel efficiency so they can fly faster and twice so far as the Puma Mk1. In addition they have state-of-the-art digitised glass cockpits and upgraded LCD instruments. The Puma Mk2 can fit right into... Read More »
His eyes glazed and his step heavy, former Ukrainian soldier Sergei walks out of a naval office in Sevastopol after switching allegiance to the Russian army. He is one of the making the alternative to remain on in Crimea where the Ukrainian army stood by helplessly as Russia seized its military facilities in a question of days after the peninsula voted to secede. “I’ve decided to remain. I actually have my parents here, my wife’s parents and my children,” the grizzled soldier says softly. He describes how he and his colleagues waited in vain for 17 days for orders from... Read More »
Two US B-52 bombers flew over a disputed area of the East China Sea without informing Beijing, US officials said Tuesday, challenging China’s bid to create an expanded “air defense zone.” The unarmed aircraft took off from Guam on Monday and the flight was previously scheduled as a part of a routine exercise inside the area, the defense officials said. “Last night we conducted a coaching exercise that was long-planned. It involved two aircraft flying from Guam and returning to Guam,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters. No flight plan was submitted beforehand to the Chinese and the mission... Read More »