8 juillet 2019 | International, Autre défense

Pentagon Looks into Virtual Reality to Prepare Troops for Nuclear War

By JACK CORRIGAN

The Defense Department is considering investing in virtual reality platforms to prepare troops to face nuclear threats.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency on Tuesday began seeking information on virtual reality training systems that would allow troops to rehearse different scenarios involving “radiological threats.”

The agency, which focuses on countering weapons of mass destruction, could one day use the tech to train troops to intercept radiological weapons on the battlefield, respond to radioactive contamination and even prepare for full-fledged nuclear war, officials wrote in the solicitation.

While virtual and augmented platforms wouldn't entirely replace the agency's current training regimen, they would expose troops to more training exercises than they could ever experience in the real world. Physical training is expensive and time-consuming, but through virtual reality, troops could run through more exercises more frequently and at a lower cost.

Under the solicitation, officials are looking for industry to outline their own virtual reality platforms, the hardware required to use them and how environments can be modified to accommodate new exercises.

Officials plan to use the information collected under the solicitation to inform potential future acquisitions. Responses are due Aug. 12.

This wouldn't be the first time the Pentagon turned to virtual platforms to train troops for real-world scenarios.

Last year, Microsoft won a $480 million contract with the Army to adapt its HoloLens augmented reality headsets for use in military training and combat operations. The headsets would be outfitted with artificial intelligence and machine-learning capabilities, and provide troops with “increased lethality, mobility, and situational awareness.”

In February, Microsoft employees wrote a letter to executives demanding the company pull out of the contract, saying they “refuse to create technology for warfare and oppression.” The company opted to stand by its partnership with the Pentagon.

https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2019/07/pentagon-looks-virtual-reality-prepare-troops-nuclear-war/158227/

Sur le même sujet

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 11, 2021

    12 février 2021 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 11, 2021

    ARMY Archer Western Federal JV, Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a $205,442,643 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a new 916-car parking structure and of a new spinal cord injury/community living center. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, with an estimated completion date of March 11, 2024. Fiscal 2021 civil construction funds in the amount of $205,442,643 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity (W912PL-21-C-0004). Westech International Inc,* Albuquerque, New Mexico, was awarded a $58,805,487 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for data collection, data management, logistical support for operational test events and field test support. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2026. U.S. Army 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-21-D-0003). Fugro USA Land Inc., Houston, Texas (W912HY-21-D-0001); Professional Service Industries Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois (W912HY-21-D-0002); Eustis Engineering LLC,* Metairie, Louisiana (W912HY-21-D-0003); and QRI-Tetra Tech JV,* Baton Rouge, Louisiana (W912HY-21-D-0004), will compete for each order of the $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for geotechnical field exploration and laboratory testing. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 8, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity. S&E Services Inc.,* Edison, New Jersey, was awarded an $11,549,400 firm-fixed-price contract for revitalizing 12 buildings at Camp Buckner. Bids were solicited via the internet with 15 received. Work will be performed in West Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $11,549,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-21-C-0003). Syblon Reid, Folsom, California, was awarded a $7,621,699 firm-fixed-price contract for the replacement of Pumping Plant 4 and other construction for the Natomas Reach D levee project. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 24, 2022. Fiscal 2020 non-federal funds; and 2020 civil construction funds in the amount of $7,621,699 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W91238-21-C-0012). NAVY International Flooring and Protective Coatings Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N50054-21-D-2101); Main Industries Inc.,* Hampton, Virginia (N50054-21-D-2102); Surface Technologies Corp.,* Atlantic Beach, Florida (N50054-21-D-2103); and UHP Projects Inc.,* Newport News, Virginia (N50054-21-D-2104), are awarded a combined $41,425,862 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract to furnish management, administrative and production services, materials, tools, equipment and required support to accomplish removal of old deck covering and underlayment (including rubber base if present), abrasive blast, ultra-high pressure water jet and power tool clean decks; and prepare surfaces, apply primer coatings and install new non-skid deck covering onboard Navy or other military type vessels. International Flooring and Protective Coatings Inc. is being awarded a $10,887,224 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $58,889,922. Main Industries Inc. is being awarded a $9,616,068 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $50,102,014. Surface Technologies Corp. is being awarded a $9,410,280 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $47,110,600. UHP Projects Inc. is being awarded an $11,512,290 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $65,057,475. Work will be accomplished onboard Navy vessels located primarily within a 50-mile radius of Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed in February 2022, and February 2026 if all options are exercised. The maximum dollar value for all four contracts is $65,057,475. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,000 ($2,500 per awardee) will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The requirement was competitively procured as a small business set-aside solicited through the beta.SAM.gov website with five offers received. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $13,435,247 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical design effort to support research and development concept formulation for current and future submarine platforms. This contract procures advanced submarine research and development (R&D) including studies to support assessments, development, design studies and tests; provide on-site engineering, logistics and technical services; and integrate/incorporate technologies for land-based or at-sea tests/demonstrations. Development and design of advanced submarine R&D technologies include integration/incorporation of developing technologies as well as advanced development models into the designated R&D test platform(s) and current and future submarine platforms. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $117,332,071. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2021. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $250,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $35,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured and is a sole-source award pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(3) – Industrial Mobilization. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-2104). AIR FORCE Titan Facility Services LLC, Gilbert, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,378,274 modification (P00029) to contract FA8052-18-C-000913 for healthcare aseptic management services to exercise Option Period Two. This contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level healthcare aseptic management services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service. Work will be performed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Eglin AFB, Florida; Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida; MacDill AFB, Florida; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Patrick AFB, Florida; Charleston AFB, South Carolina; Shaw AFB, South Carolina; Moody AFB, Georgia; Robins AFB, Georgia; Columbus AFB, Mississippi; Altus AFB, Oklahoma; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and Vance AFB, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed Feb. 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at time of award. The total cumulative value of this contract including, Option Two, is $32,348,517. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. Main Building Maintenance Inc., San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a $10,355,594 modification (P00030) for healthcare aseptic management services to exercise Option Period Two. This contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level healthcare aseptic management services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service. Work will be performed at the Air Force Academy, Colorado; Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Peterson AFB, Colorado; Schriever AFB, Colorado; Beale AFB, California; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Fairchild AFB, Washington; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; FE Warren AFB, Wyoming; Hill AFB, Utah; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; McConnell AFB, Kansas; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Nellis/Creech AFB, Nevada; and Offutt AFB, Nebraska, and is expected to be completed Feb. 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at time of award. The total cumulative value of this contract, including Option Two, is $32,350,692. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8052-18-C-0006). TFOM HHS Group JV, Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $9,865,349 modification (P00021) to contract FA8052-19-C-A002 for healthcare aseptic management services to exercise Option Period Two. This contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level healthcare aseptic management services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service. Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona; Dyess AFB, Texas; Edwards AFB, California; Goodfellow AFB, Texas; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Lackland, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Los Angeles AFB, California; Luke AFB, Arizona; JBSA, Texas; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Vandenberg AFB, California, and is expected to be completed Feb. 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at time of award. The total cumulative value of this contract, including Option Two, is $31,537,150. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Raytheon Co. Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded an $8,377,372 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research project. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (38%); Goleta, California (14%); and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (48%), with an expected completion date of October 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $454,127; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,765,783, are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a limited competitive acquisition with five offers received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-21-C-0036). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY UPDATE: Skymark Refuelers LLC, Kansas City, Kansas (SPE8EC-21-D-0077), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for commercial trucks and trailers, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0008, and awarded Jan. 9, 2018. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2501750/source/GovDelivery/

  • Polish leaders plan to talk things out on nuclear weapons

    24 avril 2024 | International, Sécurité

    Polish leaders plan to talk things out on nuclear weapons

    NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance has no plans to alter its nuclear posture to include atomic weapons in Poland.

  • Possible Hypersonic Test 'Balk' May Add To Poor USAF Record | Aviation Week Network

    30 juillet 2021 | International, Aérospatial

    Possible Hypersonic Test 'Balk' May Add To Poor USAF Record | Aviation Week Network

    An exchange during a think-tank event in Washington on July 29 may offer an explanation for the absence of a promised U.S. Air Force hypersonic flight test in July. 

Toutes les nouvelles