The US Air Force is tapping AI and virtual reality to bring battlefield preparation into fully immersive digital space, awarding Phase I funding to Texas-based firm Virtuix under the AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research program.
The goal is to advance development of an AI-powered system called Virtual Terrain Walk (VTW), which transforms real-world terrain imagery into interactive environments for mission planning and rehearsal.
The platform combines AI-driven terrain reconstruction, virtual reality, and omnidirectional treadmill technology to enable warfighters to physically move through geo-specific digital replicas of operational areas.
According to Virtuix, VTW uses AI to convert camera footage into photorealistic 3D terrain models within hours, allowing military personnel to study environments and rehearse missions in a fully virtual setting.
Unlike traditional planning tools that rely on maps, satellite imagery, and computer displays, the system lets troops walk, run, and maneuver together inside shared virtual spaces.
The platform can support distributed teams of more than a dozen users, enabling units to assess terrain and coordinate tactics collaboratively.
“Warfighters can now get familiar with the battlefield before putting boots on the ground,” said Joe Nolan, retired US Army colonel and director of federal business development at Virtuix.
The award adds to Virtuix’s growing portfolio of defense engagements, including deployments and partnerships across the US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
