HTX Labs, developer of the EMPACT® Immersive Learning Platform, announced that it has been awarded a new $1.25M Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract with US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to enhance EMPACT to facilitate collaborative, multi-role immersive learning capabilities in support of maintenance training for the B-52 aircraft.
The mission impact to AFGSC will be to address the lack of physical aircraft and supporting equipment that is available for training purposes, improve crew chief effectiveness and preparedness, shorten the training pipeline overall (from BMT graduation to qualified B-52 Crew Chief), reduce training manpower requirements, serve as an enabler to Bomber Task Force/Multi-Capable Airmen (MCA) initiatives, and reduce required storage space to accommodate physical training devices by providing alternative virtual training capabilities.
The results of this project will drive training engagement and retention of Airmen who may consider leaving the USAF for private sector opportunities, encourage teamwork through technology that enables Airmen to train collaboratively, and allow instructors to synchronously reach more students across remote geographically distributed locations. The ultimate outcome of this effort will be to increase throughput of the training pipeline, lower overall training costs, and produce more fully mission-ready Airmen.
