2024-07-15 13:32:00
Par Jean Langlois-Berthelot, Sciences Po
At the intersection of virtual technologies and military applications, the “Miliverse” is emerging as a key element propelling military strategies and preparation into a new and innovative era.
This innovation was described in particular by the lieutenant-colonel Ryan Kenny of the US Army, which is defending its implementation. In France, work carried out between 2020 and 2022 as part of a project between the Defense Innovation Agency (General Directorate of Armaments) and theENSTA also proposed avenues of reflection for the development of tools. As Didier Bazalgette, then innovation referent for the fields of artificial intelligence and cognition for the Defense Innovation Agency, indicated in 2021:
“The idea of a Miliverse is not new, but it takes on a new dimension in light of the growing skills in the fields of virtual reality and augmented reality.”
The Miliverse, short for “military metaverse,” is an innovation that is revolutionizing training, simulations, and the preparation of armed forces by relying on digital technologies. This new approach takes advantage of the characteristics of the metaverse, a shared collective virtual world, often accessible via the Internet, which combines aspects of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and blockchain technology.
Miliverse allows military stakeholders to meet, work, play and interact in immersive 3D environments. These assets help to increase operational skills, test complex strategies and anticipate high-intensity scenarios, all in a secure and customizable virtual environment.
In the military field, the Miliverse is deployed through highly sophisticated interactive simulations. Troops can immerse themselves in virtual environments using the latest generation of virtual reality headsets, reproducing various scenarios, ranging from combat missions to delicate intelligence operations. For example, special units can simulate complex tactical interventions, thus testing their skills in coordination and reactivity. A debriefing can also be integrated into the simulations based on the results obtained (accuracy of shots, allied and/or enemy casualties, etc.).
Many countries interested
In the United States, the Department of Defense plans to engage $500 million in the next four years for the development of these innovative technologies. Advanced simulations have been implemented to train special units in virtual environments that faithfully reproduce potential conflict zones. These simulations use virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to recreate complex combat conditions, allowing a realistic training without the real risks. The program Synthetic Training Environment (STE) includes simulators for various vehicles and helicopters, using AI to generate opposing forces and analyze performance in real time. These technologies reduce costs and increase training effectiveness.
In Israel, the Defense forces have joined the Miliverse in their training program, using simulations to test cyber attack scenarios and joint operations between different branches of the armed forces. This preparation in situations similar to reality allows the actions of the forces to be tested in a near-real situation, to identify good practices and areas for improvement, and increases the ability of teams to collaborate, communicate and interact in stressful situations.
In Chinamany uses are under development and rely on major private players: 51World, Alibaba and Tencent. These companies have created virtual worlds imitating the real world (“digital twins”) that allow events to be simulated in time.
In France, the Army, and in particular the Army Higher Military Education Center (CEMST), is currently employing senior officers in deeply interdisciplinary work on the development of augmented reality solutions that can be used within the framework of a Miliverse.
A research and development challenge
The Miliverse is currently at an advanced stage of development, supported by investments in research and development of related technologies. The simulations now integrate advanced artificial intelligences that react dynamically to the actions of the participants, thus offering unprecedented realism. Indeed, these technologies give rise to many applications : virtual reality glasses, virtual reality headset and 3D modeling application for example. Each of its implementations allows to enter a quasi-real situation to test and adjust training scenarios and verify the effect of operational decisions, which improves the experience for better progress of the participants.
This new technology improves and accelerates decision-making. It offers the possibility of dealing with more complex situations in optimizing user experienceallowing a simulation of increasingly elaborate scenarios and offers the possibility of having several participants collaborate and interact within the multiverse.
The implementation of the Miliverse also brings many advances on complementary aspects of military operations: acceleration of design and innovation, optimization of supply, improvement of the integration of multi-level mechanisms, etc. Very concretely, the US Marines use this type of technology to have a detailed view of their equipment on the Pacific front with many scattered islands. Many other examples of applications exist : remote weapon control, medical training for war situations, crisis communication training, etc.
In the specific context of cyber defense, the Miliverse provides a realistic virtual environment where soldiers can train to identify and neutralize threats in real time. For example, by simulating a cyber attack on critical infrastructure, civilian and military cyber defense experts collaborate and learn to better detect intrusions, isolate compromised systems and restore services while minimizing collateral damage. This allows for a optimal preparation for real-world situations where rapid and coordinated responses are crucial.
Staying aware of the limits of the Miliverse
While Miliverse technologies could revolutionize military training, they are not without their limitations. Indeed, excessive use can create a dependency on virtual systems. In the event of a technical failure or attack on digital systems, armed forces could be disoriented and see their ability to react in a real situation diminished. Furthermore, as realistic as simulations may be, they never perfectly reproduce the unpredictability and stress of real combat. Soldiers trained solely through digital means would risk lacking experience and composure in the face of the realities of the battlefield.
These technologies must therefore be used in addition to traditional training methods (practical exercises, field simulations). A combined approach ensures a comprehensive and balanced training, leveraging technological advantages while preserving the importance of real-world experience and adaptation to real combat. Integrating this approach into military training should be framed to reinforce, not replace, proven training methods. By recognizing and addressing its limitations, it can become a valuable tool in preparing soldiers for the challenges of modern combat.
Promising prospects but many challenges
The adoption of the Miliverse transcends the borders of the United States and Israel. Nations such as China, the United Kingdom, and to a large extent France, have also integrated similar technologies into their military training programs. Feedback highlights significant improvements in operational skills, decision-making under pressure, and troop responsiveness.
Along with the benefits, concerns are emerging about the increasing reliance on technology, vulnerability to cyberattacks, and ethical issues related to simulating real-world conflict scenarios. The Miliverse poses unique challenges that require a thoughtful approach to ensure its judicious use.
The Miliverse represents a significant advancement in military preparedness, delivering tangible benefits and opening the door to continued innovation. However, its use must be guided by rigorous ethical standards to ensure the security and integrity of military operations in an increasingly digital world.
This article was co-written by Dr. Christophe Gaie, Head of the Engineering and Digital Innovation Division within the Prime Minister’s Office and Senior Fellow CEMS-Terre.
Jean Langlois-BerthelotAdjunct, Sciences Po
This article is republished from The Conversation sous licence Creative Commons. Lire l’article original.
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