Virtra Demonstrates Next-Generation Soldier Virtual Training (SVT) System For U.S. Army’s PEO STRI
VirTra has unveiled its latest Soldier Virtual Training (SVT) capabilities to the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), highlighting how commercial off-the-shelf simulation can accelerate readiness with measurable results. The live demonstration, held October 7, 2025 at VirTra’s Orlando training center, centered on the company’s portable V-100 simulator and a data-first approach to skills development.
Portable simulator, mission-ready focus
Built for rapid deployment and classroom-to-range portability, the V-100 was configured to target three pillars of soldier readiness: Weapon Skills Development (marksmanship), Joint Fires, and Use-of-Force decision-making. VirTra emphasized that the system is a turnkey solution—designed, manufactured, assembled, and installed by a single provider—reducing complexity for units looking to field training technology at scale.
Key talking points from the demo included rapid setup, intuitive controls for instructors, true-to-trajectory ballistics, and analytics that aim to boost both training throughput and realism. In practical terms, that means teams can spin up sessions faster, run more students through tighter schedules, and produce standardized evaluations that are easy to compare across units and time.
From marksmanship to fires: scenario depth and integration
VirTra presented marksmanship drills alongside scenario-based training for Call for Fire and Close Air Support, reflecting the Army’s increasing emphasis on combined arms proficiency. The content is delivered with full integration to Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4), the Army-selected enterprise virtual environment. With a whole-earth terrain model and constructive simulation features, VBS4 gives instructors the latitude to place soldiers in varied, complex environments that mirror real-world operations.
APEX analytics: telemetry for training
A highlight of the event was APEX, VirTra’s advanced analytics layer designed to translate performance data into actionable insights. Through dashboards and granular Course of Fire reports, APEX tracks metrics such as accuracy, reaction time, and judgment under pressure. Instructors can review performance immediately, identify gaps, and adjust training plans on the spot—bringing a telemetry-driven mindset to military instruction that will feel familiar to anyone who has watched esports or data-rich competitive shooters.
According to VirTra, this marks the first time an integrated, real-time reporting capability has been embedded directly within its simulators, eliminating the lag and manual stitching that can dilute after-action reviews. APEX will ship as a standard feature on all new VirTra simulators at no additional cost, giving organizations data-driven accountability from day one.
Hardware realism and modularity
To support authentic weapon handling, the demonstration featured multiple firearm types paired with recoil kits and specialized magazines. The aim is to preserve the tactile cues and muscle memory soldiers rely on during live fire while maintaining the flexibility and safety of a virtual environment. That blend of realistic feedback and software-driven scenarios is designed to make the transition from simulator to range as seamless as possible.
COTS efficiency, single-vendor delivery
For PEO STRI’s ongoing market research into commercial off-the-shelf training technologies, VirTra positioned the V-100 as a ready-to-field solution that simplifies procurement and sustainment. By controlling the full lifecycle—design, build, assembly, installation—VirTra argues it can streamline deployment timelines, reduce integration risk, and ensure consistent support. In the context of Army modernization, the promise is faster iteration and more predictable scaling across units and locations.
Leadership perspective
VirTra’s leadership underscored a commitment to immersive, science-informed instruction aimed at improving performance and decision-making in mission-critical environments. The company framed the V-100 and APEX as a combined platform that delivers scalable, repeatable outcomes aligned with the Army’s modernization priorities, while giving instructors concrete data to validate progress and sharpen training focus.
Why this matters for virtual training
For defense training leaders—and for anyone tracking the crossover between gaming tech and military simulation—the takeaways are clear. The industry is moving beyond “VR as a novelty” toward integrated ecosystems where content, hardware feedback, and analytics work in concert. VBS4 brings the expansive, mod-friendly feel of a modern game engine to military scenarios, while APEX provides the kind of real-time performance telemetry that has transformed elite esports and competitive shooters.
If adopted broadly, this approach could reduce time-to-proficiency, tighten feedback loops, and standardize evaluation across dispersed training sites. It also supports a wider trend: using commercial-grade platforms to deliver military-ready capability without the overhead of bespoke development.
The bottom line
VirTra’s Orlando demo presented a cohesive SVT package: a portable simulator tuned for marksmanship, joint fires, and use-of-force; deep integration with a whole-earth virtual environment; and an analytics engine that makes performance measurable and repeatable. Backed by research-driven methods and already used across public safety domains, the company’s training stack aims to give the Army a practical path to high-fidelity, data-rich instruction at scale.
