Exercises Modernization

From Training Ground to Battlefield, They Have Given Tactical Training 'Wings of Science and Technology'

从训练场到战场，他们给战术训练插上“科技翅膀”

PLA Daily (解放军报) 26 May 2026

Summary

Instructors at the National University of Defense Technology have integrated AR glasses, electronic scoring systems, big-data analysis, and virtual orienteering platforms into tactical training courses including marksmanship, military combat, and field survival, replacing paper targets and instructor-led debriefs with automated performance data and immersive simulated environments. The article documents a concrete institutional effort to close the gap between training realism and combat conditions—a persistent problem in PLA officer education that NUDT is addressing through in-house instructor-led development rather than top-down procurement. Instructor Ye Bangwu's closing acknowledgment of unresolved problems in data accuracy, scenario realism, and system stability confirms these are working prototypes, not fielded solutions, which establishes a useful baseline for tracking how far NUDT's simulation infrastructure matures.

Translation

Tactical Training Given 'Wings of Science and Technology' ■ Cai Yushan, PLA Daily Special Correspondent Fang Shuyang

A cadet at the National University of Defense Technology uses an AR system to independently participate in simulated training for military combat courses. Photo by Duan Shengfei.

At a tactical training ground of the National University of Defense Technology, an intense "encounter battle" has just concluded. As the smoke clears, this after-action review differs from previous instructor debriefs—the large screen precisely replays the combat trajectory: whose concealment movement broke down and got them "killed," where coordination gaps appeared and were exploited by the opposing side. The entire process is laid out at a glance.

This change stems from the teaching team's research and improvements to training methods.

Take marksmanship class as an example. Cadets once had to travel to a designated training range to practice. After firing, they would retrieve the target paper and learn their scores by counting the ring values corresponding to the bullet holes. This process wasted training time and resulted in low training efficiency.

Instructors therefore considered integrating technologies such as augmented reality, system simulation, and big-data analysis into traditional military training courses, and set out to explore new pathways for generating combat effectiveness on a training ground where the virtual and the real are interwoven.

Now, during marksmanship training, cadets use air rifles with built-in data-collection modules to aim and fire. While the electronic target automatically announces the ring score, a complete shooting assessment report is generated in the background.

"With this system, each cadet unit can organize training anytime and anywhere while ensuring safety, and the feedback obtained is faster and more visual, greatly improving training quality and efficiency," said instructor Zhang Tieliang.

On the military combat training ground, the imprint of technology is equally pervasive. Cadet Wang Jingyu wears lightweight AR glasses and engages in combat against a virtual enemy appearing on the screen. After several rounds, Wang Jingyu's forehead is already drenched in sweat. Within the system, his offensive and defensive rhythm, punching speed, and striking force are all clearly visible.

"All groups, attention—advance along Route 2!" At another training ground, cadets are fixed on their screens, launching an "online orienteering" exercise. On a newly developed training system, the traditional map-reading and map-use course is organically combined with a simulated map-running mechanism, allowing cadets to complete terrain analysis and route selection entirely within virtual space.

In the field survival course, technological means have transformed "armchair strategizing (纸上谈兵)" into "full immersion (身临其境)." Cadet Li Shucheng puts on AR glasses, and a realistic battlefield environment instantly unfolds before his eyes. Amid continuously interspersed special situations (特情), he completes hands-on course items including knot-tying and field cooking. "That sense of tension when facing enemy contact and threats has brought us one step closer to the battlefield," said Li Shucheng.

From experience to data, from training ground to battlefield, the instructors' exploration of technology has always been a work in progress. Instructor Ye Bangwu said that with respect to the accuracy of data transmission, the realism of simulated scenarios, and the stability of system equipment, they will continue to tackle these problems, striving to make the virtual battlefield a true "whetstone" for winning future battles.

Original Chinese

战术训练插上“科技翅膀” ■蔡雨杉解放军报特约记者方姝阳国防科技大学学员运用AR系统自主参加军事搏击课目仿真训练。段盛飞摄国防科技大学某战术训练场上，一场激烈的“遭遇战”刚刚结束。硝烟散去，这次复盘和此前的教员点评不同——大屏幕上精准回放战斗轨迹，谁的隐蔽动作变形导致被“击毙”，哪里的协同出现空隙被对手切入，整个过程一目了然。这一变化，源于该校教学团队对训练方法的研究和改进。以射击课为例，曾经学员们必须前往指定训练场进行练习，他们射击后，需要取回靶纸，通过统计靶纸上弹孔对应的环数获知成绩。这个过程浪费训练时间，训练效率低下。于是，教员们考虑将增强现实、系统仿真、大数据分析等技术融入传统军事训练课目，在虚拟与现实交织的练兵场上，探寻战斗力生成的新路径。如今，学员们在射击训练时，使用内置数据采集模块的气枪进行瞄准击发。电子靶自动报出环数的同时，后台就能生成完整的射击评估报告。 “有了这套系统，各学员队可以在确保安全的前提下随时随地组织训练，得到的反馈也更加快捷化、可视化，大大提升了训练质效。”教员张铁良说。在军事搏击训练场，科技的影子也无处不在。学员汪靖宇佩戴轻量化AR眼镜，和屏幕上出现的虚拟敌人展开对抗。几个回合下来，汪靖宇的额头已汗涔涔的。系统中，他的攻防节奏、出拳速度与打击力度都清晰可见。 “各组注意，按2号路线行进！”另一训练场，学员们正紧盯屏幕，开启一场“线上定向越野”。在新研发的训练系统上，传统的识图用图课目与仿真跑图机制有机结合，他们在虚拟空间便可完成地形判读与路线选择。野战生存课目中，科技手段更是将“纸上谈兵”变成了“身临其境”。学员李树程戴上AR眼镜，眼前瞬间展现逼真的战场环境，在不断穿插的特情中，他完成了绳结打法、野战炊事等实操课目。“那种面对敌情和威胁时的紧张感，让我们离战场更近了一步。”李树程说。从经验到数据，从训练场到战场，教员们对科技的探索一直是“进行时”。教员叶邦武说，针对数据传输的准确性、仿真场景的逼真度、系统设备的稳定性，他们将持续攻关，力争让虚拟战场真正成为未来打赢的“磨刀石”。