Rapidly advancing the simulation-based capabilities of live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training is critical for the geographically separated Indo-Pacific region. As our experts work with defense organizations on new AI and data approaches, they’re seeing LVC evolve to conquer long-term challenges like siloed practice sessions, spotty analytics, and slow updates. Here’s their take on today’s LVC training—and the “real-world” experiences of the near future.

“LVC training is now getting closer to reality, thanks to fast-moving technical advances in multiple areas,” says Heather Fortuna Bush, the Booz Allen senior vice president leading the company’s work in the area. “Teams like ours are partnering with other innovators to speed the ability to train with allies and partners, between domains, and across continents.”

Connecting networks and data is allowing defense leaders to advance the three modalities that give LVC its name:

“Sharing data between evolving LVC systems, making that content more realistic, and enabling allied forces to train together—put those three together and you have a training approach that’s more than the sum of its parts,” says Ed Barnabas, Booz Allen vice president and chief technology officer for the Indo-Pacific. “You have a revolutionary capability to prepare, unify, and amplify the future force.”

“Data fusion is a key capability for linking networks and sharing data in the theater for multinational exercises,” says Terry Allen, director and executive operations leader for Booz Allen’s Tokyo office. “We’re creating a tactical data link architecture to link regional networks, enabling data fusion for LVC training.”

He says adopting a modular open systems approach (MOSA) enables the team to create a data mesh accessible in the cloud for both new and legacy systems, with a cross-domain framework for sharing data across classification levels and zero trust security built in. First-mover concepts, such as a wireless 5G system for extended reality training, give advanced tools and ideas to draw on.

Jarid Cottrell, director of defense tech research and development at Booz Allen, points out the regional constraints LVC training must overcome. “LVC for the Indo-Pacific needs to work in a contested environment, where adversaries are trying to deny or degrade operations. It needs to accommodate the mass quantities of autonomous systems and swarms that will be active in this theater. And it needs to be both offensive and defensive.”

Coordinating missions for realistic training—such as enabling a naval vessel to call in a real-life airstrike for a virtual scenario—is complicated by the Indo-Pacific’s limited training space.

Training with forces in the continental U.S. would open access to large test ranges. “Unfortunately, that long-distance collaboration isn’t yet possible. The electrons, the data pipes we send them through, and the simulations can’t move fast enough across training devices and networks for vastly dispersed live training to be effective,” says Tim Miller, senior lead engineer at Booz Allen.

Research and experimentation are solving problems like these, and Booz Allen’s modular technologies provide the flexibility to accommodate the new tech. Our software adapts to the latest advancements, including precision targeting and coordination systems across services and partner nations, as well as 5G and 6G networks to extend operational reach.

A shared user experience is a critical next step for LVC. “Using AI for wargaming gives us the mission context for agile LVC modernization across joint forces, allies and partners,” says Vince Goldsmith, AI solutions architect at Booz Allen.

He details an example scenario: “One allied ground team clears the room and calls for air support; an allied pilot in a cockpit trainer executes. Everyone’s working from a common operating picture, blending virtual actions with physical ones—for example, pairing a simulated threat with a live-fire exercise. And it doesn’t have to be a complete mission: the training environment is designed to accommodate all levels of readiness, from regional command exercises to high-fidelity tactical small-unit training.”

Enabling unified training is one part of the mission; evaluating it is its counterpart. U.S. defense policy emphasizes data-driven decisions, and implementing metrics is necessary to get the highest value from each session. Here are a few of the ways we’re helping that happen:

"By building on open architectures, we can rapidly connect commercial tech. This gives commanders and warfighters data-driven insights to assess readiness and enhance performance across all dimensions—from the heartbeat level through task execution,” says Sonya Rahmani, Booz Allen’s director of warfighter performance.

With technologies and geopolitical developments presenting threats that evolve rapidly, injecting AI into LVC training quickly and securely is essential to keep the U.S. and its allies ahead.

“As the number one provider of AI solutions to the federal government, we are rapidly bringing end-to-end AI solutions to the U.S. and its partners in the Indo-Pacific,” says Jarid. "Customers receive the advantage of our advances in generative AI and innovations for national security. Plus, they get the advantage of reusable tools and processes to give projects a running start.”

“We know that trust is critical, and integrity is non-negotiable,” says Heather. “So, before we start, we apply safeguards and practices to ensure responsible AI. This includes a system of frameworks, principles and policies that lower risk while still ensuring rapid implementation.” Our frameworks provide for each element, including:

• Building data pipelines, standardizing formats, and merging disparate data
• Establishing AIOps workflows and processes for model training and deployment
• Connecting AI to training systems using government-owned APIs
• Ensuring all processes are protected with leading zero trust solutions
• Testing, tracking, and evaluating performance to ensure trustworthiness and accuracy

“Physical AI is changing the nature of war, and we’re applying that future reality to LVC today,” says Ed. Embedding AI in machines is changing the nature of conflict: Think drone swarms in the Ukraine War and robotic partners in the field. “Our innovation, investments, and partnerships keep us at the digital frontier, and we’re using generative AI to train updated models that will bring the autonomous future to life.”

“We’re talking about multimodal LLMs that handle video, audio, text, and more,” says Jarid. “Large vision models, that understand visuals and find patterns in data. World models, that understand causal relationships and can project scenarios based on how the real world works.”

Added to this, users will have a more intuitive experience. For example, the Booz Allen team is working to enable warfighters to train on the same exact software they’ll use in battle, while using haptics and 3D modeling to make the immersive experience convincingly real.

“Think of the mass quantities of autonomous systems and swarms that a future conflict will entail. Who goes in the fight first? How will defensive tactics like counter-unmanned aircraft systems be coordinated with offensive tactics, like moving autonomous systems across enemy lines?” says Jarid.

• More realistic—where warfighters are training together, operating on the same common operating picture, with immersive systems that make them feel like they’re really in the fight.
• Less deterministic—where a warfighter can train on the same scenario twice and experience different outcomes.
• Data-driven—commanders and warfighters receive performance data, session analysis, and recommendations; digital twins provide predictive analytics; and each simulation session provides data to go back and re-train algorithms.

“I’m excited about the partnership between humans and machines that LVC training enables—and how it, in turn, strengthens partnerships between the U.S. and coalition forces,” says Ed. “Most importantly, making LVC training more realistic, interoperable, and predictive is the fastest way to empower the warfighter—the most essential element of any force.”