The Indian Air Force (IAF) has partnered with Chitkara University, located near Chandigarh, to create an innovative virtual reality (VR) training system designed to instruct newly inducted Agniveers in aircraft refuelling procedures.
This advanced VR system allows trainees to wear a head-mounted display, immersing them in a realistic virtual environment that simulates aircraft and their subsystems. By utilizing this technology, the need for physical aircraft during training is eliminated, enabling trainees to practice the intricate refuelling process in a safe and controlled setting. This approach significantly reduces the time required for training, which is especially beneficial given that Agniveers serve an initial term of just four years.
The first iteration of this system focuses on training aircrew for helicopter refuelling but can be adapted for other aircraft within the IAF's fleet. Dr. PK Khosla, a former DRDO-TBRL scientist and current Pro-Vice Chancellor of Chitkara University, who led the project alongside Dr. Amanpreet Kaur, emphasized the complexity involved in aircraft refuelling. This includes coordinating vehicle movements near the aircraft, operating pumping equipment, blending anti-freeze additives, ensuring proper earthing, and accurately filling fuel volumes while considering various technical, environmental, and safety factors.
The project took approximately six months to complete and involved extensive collaboration with defense experts to accurately capture the detailed processes of helicopter refuelling. Every element, from fuel couplings to control panels, was carefully modeled in 3D to ensure an authentic training experience. The completed system has now been officially handed over to the IAF for use in their training programs.
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