Firearms Training Simulators Provide Benefits to Law Enforcement and Military

Firearms Training Simulators are becoming more and more popular amongst law enforcement agencies and the military.  Tactical training systems come in a variety of configurations from single-screen simulators to multi-screen, fully-immersive, 360 degree tactical training simulators where the trainee is engulfed by a virtual reality world where all levels of situations can be explored and practiced.  To assist in the training and to keep all aspects as real as possible, “shock belts” can be worn by the trainee that administer a very light, low voltage shock if the officer is shot during the session.  Obviously, this is something that helps to remind officers to remain sharp as to the entire environment surrounding them.  Other systems even allow the use of service revolvers for training through the simple exchange of a few parts.  This allows for the weapon to retain the same weight, feel and actions, including recoil.  Both tethered and tetherless options are available. 

The benefits are immeasurable as far as saving lives through the extensive training that is achieved with respect to quick, decisive decision making skills and marksmanship.  Real-life scenarios can be practiced repeatedly by trainees under the careful watch and tutoring skills of their training supervisor.  Marksmanship programs range from novice to expert to cater to all skill levels.   By using a virtual training simulator, law enforcement agencies are staying current with the latest technologies and training their personnel to the highest degree possible in the world today.

Money is, of course, always of hot topic in the world of government-financed programs.  Training simulators bring many long-term savings with them.  Money is saved through the reduction of ammunition for training for starters.  Throughout discussions with firearms and tactical training supervisors, I have learned that ammunition cannot be completely cut from the budget as some training with live rounds or at least “simunition”, the trademarked training ammo logo of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is still mandatory for training, but systems, such as the IVR series from VirTra Sytems, Inc. (VTSI.PK), are about as realistic as possible and definitely help reduce training ammunition costs.  

Many agencies build houses specifically for training purposes where the officers or tactical teams are exposed to many different events as they maneuver throughout the house.  Simulators allow for these and many more situations all in the confines of a single room with the scenario changed as simply as changing programs.  The IVR-180, front projection, three-screen, 180 degree, simulator from VirTra Systems can be assembled in an area approximately 15 feet by 25 feet .  This is a mere 375 square feet as opposed to the construction of a whole structure that requires continuous labor to prepare for training.  The programs that accompany it include professional actors (hand selected by VirTra) that the trainee interacts with throughout the course of every training session.  The sound is powered by a series of transducers to create realistic bass sounds to complete the experience as the trainee is now surrounded by the look, feel and sounds of a real-life event.  VirTra’s state of the art training simulators start at $40,000.  More information on the full-line of VirTra Systems products can be found on the corporate website at www.virtra.com. 

When combining all of the benefits of a virtual training simulator, it is easy to see why they are gaining popularity year over year.  Coupling not only the rewards of possibly saving lives, but taking into account the long-term budget benefits, training simulators are helping to make some training decisions easier for city planners and police chiefs while creating some long-term relief for their balance sheets.