By Tracy Novoa | Deputy Project Director, PD SAI
Project Director Sensors-Aerial Intelligence (PD SAI) has been working closely with industry partners in immersive training and simulation technologies, to guide the vision, tone, and direction of the Virtual Aerial Systems Trainer (VAST).The team is shaping its capabilities so they align with the Army’s evolving needs for future Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), specifically the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES).
The intent of using VAST is to accelerate early skill development, maximizing training efficiency, creating safer spaces to practice complex procedures, and delivering realistic, scalable content that can rapidly adapt to evolving mission demands. Recently, PD SAI representatives provided oversight of the comprehensive demonstration of VAST conducted at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, marking a significant step forward in training modernization for the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and the broader ISR community.
“The goal of this event was simple: show how virtual reality can help train service members across the joint enterprise faster, safer, and more effectively,” said Angel Acevedo, Project Support manager for PD SAI. The event, hosted by the 17th Training Group (17th TRG), brought together trainers, technical teams and senior leaders from across the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
The event demonstrated to AETC and ISR organizations how Virtual Reality (VR) enhances student training by enabling hands on system familiarization before using operational equipment, providing safe and repeatable procedural practices, building early trainee confidence, and ultimately boosting squadron readiness.
Throughout the day, personnel from several training squadrons tested VAST firsthand, setting the stage to develop and execute future training cycles across the landscape. They explored how VR could fit into their current courses and help students prepare for real-world missions.
The demonstration also highlighted VAST’s integration with the Army’s Intelligence Electronic Warfare Tactical Proficiency Trainer (IEWTPT) SCEPTRE software. “VAST provides the virtual battlespace and ISR conditions, while IEWTPT SCEPTRE simultaneously provides the training architecture that delivers those conditions into intelligence systems, providing a truly “train as we fight” environment” said Acevedo. “This pairing allows instructors to create highly realistic virtual scenarios without limiting training objectives, showing the potential for joint-service training in shared environments.”
The PD SAI visit and upcoming VAST efforts will ensure that the AF Virtual Hangar and VAST tool modules work seamlessly together, enabling both organizations to develop joint intelligence training and achieve greater cost efficiency.
Technical Community Feedback
“Feedback from the 17th TRG highlighted just how impactful this training is,” said Acevedo. “They emphasized that virtual and mixed reality scenarios give users a much clearer grasp of intelligence signals, allow them to repeat tasks to accelerate learning, and provide instructors the ability to see exactly where users click and what steps they miss, making the feedback they provide far more effective.”
“By providing steady insight, operational context, and forward-looking guidance, PD SAI is prioritizing efforts that ensure VAST grows into a tool that truly supports the next generation of ISR readiness and mission execution,” said Acevedo.
Following the event, the 17th TRG approved loading VAST on their Instructional Training Unit (ITU) lab systems to support their ongoing training needs.