Strength through science: Using virtual technology to advance the warfighter

During any given mission, a warfi ghter faces demanding information-processing challenges while engaged in intense physical stresses, such as heavy pack loads, extreme temperatures, unfamiliar terrain, and high altitudes. The warfi ghter must fi rst understand the mission objectives and the information relevant for its successful completion (e.g., the spatial layout of the environment, locations to search, or the appearance and estimated number of enemy combatants or weapons). This abstract information must then be transferred to a live and potentially hostile environment, which can have harsh and unknown conditions. During the course of the mission, the warfi ghter must maintain vigilance and may be required to identify enemy combatants obscured by unfamiliar and variegated natural environment (e.g., mountain terrain or urban village) and may not be easily distinguished from the noncombatant population. These tasks must also be executed while maintaining a high degree of situational awareness of other physical and cognitive demands.