Using a traditional sandbox, with its sticks, ropes and models, or even on a printed map, is a proven way to plan land-based missions. But it has its limitations and takes valuable time and space as you need to prepare it carefully and set it up in a room, a tent, or a shelter.

As multi-domain operations and high-intensity warfare become the new reality, Command Posts cannot simply expand in mass and personnel but shall evolve to become more mobile, more resilient and more distributed. In this context, a traditional sandbox or a map are therefore not the best option anymore.

This is why Thales introduces Virtual Map, a virtual-reality tool designed to replace the traditional sandbox and map used by land forces for mission planning and briefing purposes.

 

 Virtual Map bringing a tactical edge up to strategical level

Thanks to Virtual Reality, Virtual Map keeps all the usages and benefits of a traditional sandbox or of a map PLUS innovative features delivering unmatched collaboration and immersion to the soldiers when preparing their mission.

  • With Virtual Map every object’s position and move is recorded to allow commanders to explain each step of the course of action over time, thus maximizing the global understanding of the maneuver.
  • Virtual Map allows participants to visualize and share any document (images, video, slides,…) on a virtual white board
  • Within the virtual room, participants can transport their avatar on the field so that they can “walk” the terrain on a 1:1 scale, checking coverage zones and firing angles, and rehearsing their actions and movements. This familiarization ensures better reactions during the mission.
  • Virtual Map enables you to organize meetings with whom you need to when you need to, since distant sites can connect to work together and prepare mission collaboratively in real-time.
  • Virtual Map is directly connected to your Command & Control (C2) or Battle Management System (BMS). This allows to import the initial tactical situation from a C2 and to export the mission preparation results,

From Headquarters to deployed command posts Virtual Map definitively allows to reduce distance and delays by providing end-to-end collaborative mission preparation capabilities.

 

Our End-Users at the heart of Virtual Map evolutive experience

Since the beginning of Virtual Map, the French MoD BattleLab, the innovation division within the French Army, has been involved in its development and operation in different situations and set ups.

For more than 2 years, our end-users have been testing and using it in Military schools at brigade level and for example, among the Alpine Rangers Mountain battalion down to company level.

Over time, we have been receiving continuous feedback, which helped us to frequently upgrade and improve Virtual Map. Thanks to its flexible architecture, it is modular and scalable, easy to customize to the end-user preferences and doctrine. operation doctrine or even user experience preferences.

 

Immersive reality’s time has come

Virtual Reality tools have made huge progresses, both in terms of hardware with more performing headsets and in terms of software. With the latest technologies, users can experience intuitive, comfortable immersion in a virtual environment for a period of up to several hours. And as new generations of servicemen and women join the forces, user profiles have changed radically.

Widespread familiarity with video games allows today's users to quickly get to grips with this type of tool and explore the full range of its capabilities.

Immersive reality is set to be a game-changer for land, air and naval forces around the world. By using it well and exploiting all its possibilities, they will be able to share information and prepare their missions more efficiently — and that brings them a clear tactical advantage in the field.