08 Oct 25. Varjo, the technology leader in military-grade virtual and mixed reality solutions, today announced a refreshed XR-4 Series, the first mixed reality headsets engineered to support mission-ready training across air, land, and sea. The refreshed model is purpose-built to close the gap between traditional simulation methods and the demands of modern training. Originally launched in 2023, the XR-4 Series headsets are optimized to be integrated into cockpit trainers, vehicle simulators, or ground training systems, addressing the growing global need for scalable, safe, and realistic training. The compact form factor of the XR-4 Series allows complete systems to be transported for rapid deployment to training points of need around the world.
“We have worked closely with our simulation and training customers to understand the needs of broad-scale deployment, and the refreshed XR-4 Series is the result of that collaboration,” said Patrick Wyatt, Chief Product Officer at Varjo. “As a trusted partner in over 100 defense and aviation programs worldwide, including the U.S. Army’s Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer (RVCT), we are committed to help scale training, enhance operational readiness, and better protect the lives of those who protect ours.”
Compared to the original model, the refreshed XR-4 Series introduces key hardware and software enhancements, including:
- Fit and comfort for demanding training – A redesigned headband and slimmed rear counterweight ensure stability and comfort during pilot training or ground vehicle simulations. An optional chin strap is now available for added headset stability during dynamic exercises. A new front plate compatible with SteamVR™ tracking improves physical robustness.
- Deployment-ready mixed reality for cockpits – Optimized autofocus passthrough cameras allow pilots to interact with real maps, checklists, and avionics inside real cockpits while remaining fully immersed in a simulated environment. Advanced hand occlusion allows users’ real hands to blend naturally with virtual objects and environments. A dedicated night mode allows simulating nighttime operations realistically. A new headset adapter incorporates advanced retimer to improve signal quality, delivering up to 99.9% reduction in packet loss for uninterrupted training. Varjo also pioneers AI-improved passthrough with gaze prediction capability to further enhance immersion and reduce system load during high-intensity simulations.
- Long-term operational support for large-scale deployments – Varjo backs the XR-4 Series with guaranteed hardware and software support through 2030, along with professional services for deployment planning, fleet provisioning, and on-site integrations.
Additionally, the devices carry over all the advanced mixed reality features of the XR-4 Series, including ultra-high-resolution visuals with 51 pixels per degree, 120° x 105° field of view, and 20+ mega-pixel stereo passthrough. Their tethered Windows-based architecture ensures compatibility with the graphics-intensive image generators and simulation software already in use by armed forces worldwide. One of the variants, the XR-4 Secure Edition, is manufactured in Finland, a NATO member state, and offered in TAA-compliant configurations with no wireless components for deployment in classified environments. The refreshed Varjo XR-4 Series is available for industrial and governmental customers in over 40 countries, now including India and Turkey. Pricing is available by request. For more information, please contact .
06 Oct 25. UK Carrier Strike Group strengthens partnership with India. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier commenced Exercise Konkan with the Indian Navy in the Western Indian Ocean. 05 October, the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier commenced Exercise Konkan with the Indian Navy in the Western Indian Ocean. Exercise Konkan is aimed at increasing combined maritime and air capabilities between the UK and Indian navies on the high seas. Whilst the Exercise has been biennial since 2004, it marks the first time in history that a British and Indian Carrier Strike Group will conduct a maritime exercise together. The UK CSG, currently on an eight-month deployment known as Operation Highmast, linked up with the Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, led by INS Vikrant to begin 4 days of complex maritime exercises that will also involve submarines and various aircraft from both the forces. Following the completion of the exercise, CSG ships will visit ports in Mumbai and Goa to celebrate enhanced military interactions with India and showcase the best of British trade and industry and highlight the strong ‘living bridge’ of people and culture between the UK and India.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The UK and India believe in an Indo-Pacific that is free and open. We share an ambition for a modern defence and security partnership, a fundamental pillar of UK-India Vision 2035, agreed by our Prime Ministers this year. The engagements between the Carrier Strike Groups of our two navies demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order in the region and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.”
Commodore Chris Saunders MBE Royal Navy, Defence Adviser, British High Commission, said: “Exercise Konkan provides an excellent opportunity for the Royal Navy to train in the delivery of complex multi-domain operations alongside India as partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
The UK and India are two carrier operating countries, and the Royal Navy and Indian Navy are in a fairly exclusive club as blue-water, multi-carrier navies. This exercise provides another opportunity, a first with both carriers, for two maritime powers to enhance combined capability operating and share best practice. The UK is also proud to co-lead the Maritime Security Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.”
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander, UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “It’s fantastic to work again with the Indian Navy during Exercise Konkan to develop our combined operational capabilities. We’ve been collaborating to expand our defence capability, in support of the rules-based international system in the Indo-Pacific.”
On completion of the port visit, the UK CSG will participate in an aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force, allowing both the forces to test their tactics and share best practices.
Further information
- Operation Highmast is a multinational deployment led by the UK Carrier Strike Group providing an opportunity for the UK’s Armed Forces to conduct a major global deployment and a chance to exercise complex operations alongside partners and allies in the region, with 12 other nations supporting the deployment with ships or personnel. Read more here.
- The UK CSG is formed around HMS Prince of Wales, the 65,000 tonnes Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier – the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the UK. She is supported by a Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless, a Type 23 Frigate – HMS Richmond, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Ships and ships of allies and partners. The CSG operates F-35B Lightning aircraft, and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, as standard.
- Exercise Konkan is the biennial, bilateral maritime exercise conducted by the UK and India. The CSG conducted maritime exercise with the Indian Navy in June after entering the Indo-Pacific. This included a Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX) involving the UK CSG and Indian Navy’s INS TABAR, a P8-I Neptune aircraft and an Indian submarine.
- In 2021, the UK and India conducted the first and biggest bilateral tri-service exercise Konkan Shakti, involving all three forces from both the countries, including the UK’s Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
- The Indo-Pacific matters to the UK – essential to our growth, clean energy ambitions and to domestic and global security. This deployment shows our commitment remains steadfast. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
01 Oct 25. Babcock and WZL 1 Join Forces to Boost Helicopter Support and Training for the Polish Armed Forces. Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company and Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL 1) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Warsaw to explore the development of a joint sustainment and support centre for the Polish Armed Forces’ helicopter fleet, alongside a technical training centre designed to enhance operational readiness and long-term capability. The announcement follows the Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed earlier this month at MSPO in Kielce between Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA and Babcock to expand collaboration across sea and air domains. WZL 1, an operating company which is part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA will work together with Babcock to develop a solution that will ensure that the Polish industry can independently maintain and support modern helicopters, while also training technical personnel to the highest standards.
Pierre Basquin, CEO of Babcock’s Aviation Sector, said: “A fully prepared and ready to deploy helicopter fleet, plays a central role in Poland’s national and international security and together with WZL 1 we will deliver operational excellence and offer a competitive solution that will support Poland’s growing defence capabilities. This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening Poland’s defence autonomy and we are proud to work with WZL 1 on this exciting opportunity.”
Babcock already has an established presence Poland and operates as Babcock Polska from Gdynia and Warsaw, where it works closely with the PGZ-Miecznik consortium as the platform design provider and technology partner for Poland’s Miecznik shipbuilding programme.
28 Sep 25. Joint Insertion Training Enables Combined U.S.-Japan Live-Fire Exercise. Airmen assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System rapid insertion training during a joint operational support mission with Marines at Kadena Air Base and Kenebetsu Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18–19, enabling a bilateral live-fire exercise between the Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The training gave personnel an opportunity to practice emerging tactics, techniques, and procedures that allow C-130 Hercules aircrews to reload ammo pods into a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System without any material handling equipment, a process known as HIMARS direct reload inside plane. This marked the first time on record that an Air Mobility Command aircrew within Pacific Air Forces has executed this process, as the 36th Airlift Squadron continues to develop homegrown training events designed to refine the skills needed to support operations in austere environments.
“[This process] pushes and furthers the C130’s capabilities for supporting HIMARS and [rapid insertion] operations,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Trevor Humes, 36th AS instructor loadmaster. “By practicing rapid reload operations, we better enforce the lethality of our joint partners while reducing everyone’s period of vulnerability. Being able to practice austere operations proves our readiness for contested environments.”
The first day of the mission began with aircrews from the 36th AS departing in two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Yokota Air Base to Kadena Air Base, where they met MC-130J Commando II personnel assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing, along with Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The 353rd SOW is currently writing checklists and procedures for the direct reload mission in conjunction with the 561st Weapons Squadron and provided the 36th AS with the draft publications necessary to prepare them for mission execution. Additionally, 353rd SOW personnel provided hands-on training to 36th AS aircrews, guiding them through the process of loading an ammo pod into a HIMARS. The 353rd SOW conducts missions requiring unique skill sets, so expanding the training to 36th AS personnel increases the number of C-130 aircrews capable of maneuvering and sustaining joint operations in the Pacific theater. This added capacity is valuable if the special operations wing is tasked with a low-density, high-demand mission.
Other units at Kadena Air Base further augmented the 36th AS to ensure a successful training.
“This mission wasn’t accomplished by one unit,” said Air Force Col. Donavan Laskey, 374th Airlift Wing deputy commander. “It was accomplished by multiple units coming together as one team to show what we can do in a joint and combined environment. Our partners from the Marine Corps, 18th Wing, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron and 353rd Special Operations Wing played key roles in making it happen, and it is this kind of teamwork that ensures we are ready to respond whenever and wherever needed.”
The 36th AS aircrews departed Kadena the following day for Kenebetsu Air Base, transporting a HIMARS on one C-130J and two ammo pods on another. They then applied the direct reload procedures they had practiced the day before, demonstrating rapid reloading in a realistic environment without traditional support or infrastructure.
This proved to be an invaluable experience for some of the newer aircrew members.
“As a new airman, being part of this training gave me valuable insight into how we prepare for real-world contingency operations,” said Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Giorgio, 36th AS loadmaster. “It was eye-opening to see the operational capability of the C-130J and how it supports the mission.”
Flying crew chiefs assigned to the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron also supported the training, performing regular tasks while augmenting the 36th AS loadmasters to expedite the process. Airmen assigned to Yokota Air Base regularly conduct training events to strengthen agile combat employment capabilities and build interoperability with joint partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. As it looks ahead, the squadron plans to build on this training by increasing efficiency and advancing their ability to respond in the event of a combat mission.
“Our feedback and experiences are shaping future publications for our airframe and fellow aviators,” Humes said. “By practicing and honing these procedures, we can take these lessons learned and continue to push the capabilities of our aircraft and partners.” (Source: U.S. DoD)