Sept – 11
Food has a unique ability to taste “better” when the initial
impression is apprehension. I am
not entirely sure that Escargot tastes as good as I think it does…what I do
know is that it tastes a hell of a lot better than I expected it to.
So it goes with most things. A movie or novel met with prejudice that is overcome exceeds
the value of the same experience whose greatness was anticipated.
This naturally leads us to Firearms Simulators.
Years ago I participated in evaluating a Fire Arms Training
Simulator or F.A.T.S. system. The
experience was less than enthralling.
While the argument can be made that the technology at the time was less
than “cutting edge” the experience over all was more entertainment the
educational.
So with a healthy amount of skepticism I traveled to Tempe Arizona to meet with the folks at Virtra.
Virtra is a firearms simulator manufacturer. Their product is primarily dedicated to
Law Enforcement and Military, but civilians…especially CCW holders can benefit
from the experience.
First impressions:
on a scale of 1-10 the simulator ranks a 12 with an footnote of Holy @#$@! That was @#$@! Incredible!!!
Ok…the details:
Virtra makes a number of simulator products, but on my visit
I trialed the “300” a totally immersive interactive simulator that “wraps
around” the student and creates a “real world” environment. When I say real world….I mean real
world….think Holo Deck from Star Trek,
The student has a stage on which to operate of roughly thirty square
feet. Directional speakers create
the absolute feel of being immersed in a training environment. Multi- option scenarios controlled by
an operator watching the action directs the student on a number of threat
scenarios.
One point that needs to be mentioned: these scenarios are
NOT computer generated….they are filmed with live actors running multiple
options. An operator/instructor
follows the student along as they engage the scenario and based on their
actions the operator keys events that manifest in the simulation.
As I mentioned these scenarios are developed for LEO and
military. They are hyper-realistic
and…well…not for kids or the squeamish.
When a suspect or target is shot by the student they see the results of their actions in vivid sometimes gory detail. Failure to engage has consequences
too….and both visually and emotionally they can be devastating. In running a hostage rescue scenario I
flat out missed a suspect holding a woman hostage. I won’t go into details here about what happened in the scenario,
suffice to say I had feelings afterwards bordering on PTSD.
They also have developed practice ranges that run on the
simulator. These are equally
outstanding without having the stress inducement of a live fire exercise.
Two additional points:
1)
The bad guys shoot back!
Students have the option to wear an electric shock device that can be
triggered by the operator if a student is “shot” or simply because the operator
is a sadistic monster and wants a laugh.
My operator was a consummate professional…I however was not….while being
appalled at the resulting carnage of a head shot I performed on a bad guy I was
“shot” by another perp that had taken cover behind me. (remember the structure of the
simulator is completely immersive so threats can come from all
directions.) The “shot” hit my
kidney and knocked me to the ground.
I was able to fight through it and neutralize the threat, but it hurt
like a son-of-a-bitch!
2)
The guns!
This is the really cool part.
You do not use toy guns with this simulator. You use real guns!
In my case a Glock 22 and later I used an M4 Carbine. The guns are retrofitted with laser
barrels to “mark” the hit zones on the screen and CO2 magazines replace the
original magazines to provide recoil when the trigger is pressed. More over, the computer monitors the
discharge of the weapon and broadcasts an ballistic “noise” through the
speakers. (which can be turned off
if you have a new shooter who is being introduced to firearms and you don’t
want to scare him off with the rapport.).
The recoil feels like that of a 9mm pistol and the sound is so well
timed you really have a suspension of belief. When I walked off of the simulator I really had felt that I
had been in an honest to God gunfight.
So…in the end do simulators have a place in a shooters
training? Before this experience I
would have said “no..live fire can never be replaced”. After this experience? I would say I am
a convert. In fact as a new
convert I preach the Gospel the loudest!
This is….without question…and with unmitigated enthusiasm….the best
training tool I have ever seen for anyone who owns or carries a gun! Bravo Virtra! Well played!
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