U.S. Marine Corps Awards $5.1M for ACV VR Gunnery Simulator with AI Adversaries
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a virtual reality crew gunnery training prototype for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The simulator uses AI to create unpredictable “thinking adversaries” and realistic ocean physics, allowing gunner, commander, and driver to train together. The contract follows 81 driver simulators and is driven by the ACV’s complexity and lessons from a deadly 2020 AAV accident that killed nine Marines.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Marine Corps Awards $5.1M Contract for VR Gunnery Simulator for Amphibious Combat Vehicle
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a virtual reality crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The simulator will allow the gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together in realistic, AI-driven scenarios with unpredictable adversaries, moving beyond scripted range exercises. The contract is part of a broader overhaul of Marine Corps amphibious training, driven by the complexity of the ACV and lessons from a deadly 2020 AAV mishap that highlighted training shortfalls. XRT previously deployed 81 driver training simulators and is developing a maintenance training suite. The gunnery prototype replicates the ACV's interior, including 3D-printed controls and a digital twin of ocean conditions for realistic motion. Crew members will use VR headsets and face AI-controlled opposition forces in varied terrains, including land and water environments. Regular user evaluations with actual ACV crews will refine the system.
Military TimesMarine ACV crews to face ‘thinking adversaries’ in new VR simulator
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to virtual reality company XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The simulator will use AI to create unpredictable 'thinking adversaries' and realistic environments, including ocean physics and terrain like Camp Lejeune's New River. The contract is the fourth such award for XRT, which previously delivered 81 driver training simulators. The training overhaul is driven by the ACV's complexity and lessons from a deadly 2020 AAV accident that killed nine Marines. The prototype allows gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together in both personnel and fighting variants, with VR headsets and 3D-printed controls. Crew members will critique realism through regular user evaluations.
Navy TimesMarine Corps Awards $5.1M Contract for VR Gunnery Simulator for Amphibious Combat Vehicle
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The VR simulator will allow gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together against AI-driven 'thinking adversaries' in unpredictable scenarios. The contract is the fourth OTA award for XRT, which previously deployed 81 driver training simulators. The training overhaul is partly driven by a deadly 2020 AAV mishap linked to training shortfalls. The simulator replicates ACV crew positions with VR headsets, 3D-printed joysticks, and a digital twin of ocean physics for realistic wave impacts. Initial scenarios focus on land-based combat with AI-generated tactical behaviors, though water-based scenarios are included. Regular user evaluations with actual ACV crews help refine realism.
Marine Corps TimesMarine ACV crews to face ‘thinking adversaries’ in new VR simulator
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The VR simulator will allow gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together against AI-driven 'thinking adversaries' in realistic land and water scenarios. The contract is part of a broader training overhaul following a deadly 2020 AAV mishap attributed to training shortfalls. XRT previously deployed 81 driver simulators and is building a maintenance training suite. The prototype includes a digital twin of ocean conditions and detailed terrain like Camp Lejeune's New River, with regular user evaluations by actual ACV crews to refine realism.
Marine Corps TimesMarine ACV crews to face ‘thinking adversaries’ in new VR simulator
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The VR simulator will allow the gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together in realistic, AI-driven scenarios with unpredictable adversaries, moving beyond scripted range exercises. The contract is part of a broader overhaul of amphibious vehicle training, driven partly by a deadly 2020 AAV accident linked to training shortfalls. XRT previously deployed 81 driver simulators and is developing a maintenance training suite. The gunnery prototype replicates the ACV interior with 3D-printed controls, VR headsets, and a digital twin of ocean physics for realistic wave motion. Crew members will critique the system through regular evaluations to enhance realism and tactical readiness.
Marine Corps TimesMarine Corps Awards $5.1M Contract for ACV VR Gunnery Simulator with AI Adversaries
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a virtual reality crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The simulator will feature AI-driven 'thinking adversaries' that create unpredictable tactical scenarios, moving beyond scripted training. The contract is the fourth OTA award to XRT, which previously deployed 81 driver training simulators. The prototype replicates the ACV's crew compartment with three seats, VR headsets, and a 3D-printed joystick for the gunner. It includes realistic physics for ocean wave impacts, digital twins of training areas like New River at Camp Lejeune, and land-based combat scenarios. The training overhaul is partly driven by a deadly 2020 AAV mishap that killed nine Marines, which investigations linked to training shortfalls. The simulator supports both the personnel variant and the ACV-30 fighting variant with a 30mm turret.
Navy TimesMarine Corps awards $5.1M contract for ACV crew gunnery VR simulator with AI adversaries
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million Other Transactional Agreement (OTA) contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The VR-based simulator will allow the gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together in both the personnel variant and the ACV-30 fighting variant. Unlike traditional scripted training, the system uses AI to create unpredictable 'thinking adversaries' and realistic environmental conditions, including ocean wave physics modeled from Camp Lejeune's New River. The contract is the fourth awarded to XRT, which previously delivered 81 driver training simulators. The more rigorous training approach is partly driven by lessons from a deadly 2020 AAV mishap that killed nine Marines, where training shortfalls were identified. Crew members wear VR headsets and use 3D-printed joysticks in a replicated vehicle interior, with regular user evaluations from actual ACV crews to refine realism.
Military TimesMarine Corps Awards $5.1M Contract for VR Gunnery Trainer for Amphibious Combat Vehicle
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a virtual reality crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The simulator will allow the gunner, vehicle commander, and driver to train together in realistic scenarios featuring AI-driven 'thinking adversaries' rather than scripted drills. The system replicates the ACV's interior with 3D-printed controls and VR headsets, and includes a digital twin of ocean conditions to simulate wave impacts. The contract is part of a broader overhaul of Marine Corps amphibious training, driven partly by a deadly 2020 AAV mishap linked to training shortfalls. XRT previously delivered 81 driver training simulators and is developing a maintenance training suite. The gunnery prototype will focus on land-based scenarios initially, with some water-based options, and will undergo regular user evaluations with actual ACV crews.
Military TimesMarine Corps Awards $5.1M Contract for VR Gunnery Trainer with AI Adversaries
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million Other Transactional Agreement (OTA) contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The VR simulator will pit crews against 'thinking adversaries' powered by artificial intelligence, moving beyond scripted range scenarios. The trainer replicates the ACV's interior with three crew stations (gunner, commander, driver) and includes realistic ocean physics, a digital twin of the New River near Camp Lejeune, and even simulated crab pots. The contract is the fourth awarded to XRT, which previously delivered 81 driver training simulators. The push for more rigorous training follows a deadly 2020 AAV mishap that killed nine Marines, which investigations linked to training shortfalls. The prototype will support both the standard personnel variant and the ACV-30 fighting variant with a 30mm turret.
Navy Times