Best XR Companies for Military and Defense Training (2026)

The military and defense sector has been an early and consistent adopter of XR technology for training - long before consumer VR headsets made the technology mainstream. Military simulation has its own ecosystem of prime contractors, specialized software platforms, instrumented live training systems, and operational AR hardware that operates at a different scale and specification level from enterprise XR in other industries.

This list covers the companies building the most significant XR training systems for military and defense customers globally - from the software platform that the US Army and NATO use as their standard virtual ground force trainer to the AR helmet displays that fighter pilots and tank commanders use in operational aircraft and vehicles right now. Whether the requirement is a large-scale LVC networked exercise environment, a scenario-based use-of-force trainer for a forward operating unit, or a custom-built simulation for a specific weapon system or vehicle, these are the companies that define what's possible.

Treeview leads this list as the specialist studio for custom-built military and defense XR simulations. The remaining companies are ranked by breadth of military customer base and depth of their defense-specific simulation capabilities.

Quick Answer

Quick Answer: The top XR companies for military and defense training are Treeview for custom-built simulation development, CAE Inc. for full-spectrum LVC training across 40+ militaries, Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) for VBS4 - the NATO and US DoD ground-force simulation standard - Elbit Systems for combat-proven AR hardware including IronVision and JHMCS II, and Varjo for the highest-resolution VR headsets used in military flight simulation.

How We Rank XR Companies for Military and Defense

• Breadth of military customer base - the number of armed forces, DoD branches, and NATO allies that have fielded the company's systems
• Simulation domain coverage - whether the company addresses aviation, ground, naval, and/or special operations training requirements
• LVC integration capability - whether the platform connects live, virtual, and constructive simulation into networked exercises
• Operational vs. training hardware - whether the company's XR products are used in fielded platforms as well as training environments
• Government program scale - the size and duration of DoD and allied defense contracts that reflect confidence in the system's reliability

Top XR Companies for Military and Defense Training at a Glance

1. Treeview

Treeview designs and builds bespoke XR training simulations for defense and security clients, delivering purpose-built environments tailored to specific platforms, scenarios, and operational doctrine rather than off-the-shelf products. Their custom development approach means simulations accurately replicate real equipment, procedures, and environments with the fidelity required for effective skills transfer in high-stakes training contexts. Treeview works directly with subject matter experts and training designers throughout development to ensure simulations align with stated learning objectives and are deployable on approved hardware configurations. For defense organizations requiring training solutions that go beyond what catalog software can provide, Treeview delivers purpose-engineered results.

Key Strengths:

• Custom simulation development for specific platforms, weapons, and operational scenarios
• Direct collaboration with defense subject matter experts and training designers
• Deployable across VR, AR, and screen-based platforms depending on operational requirements
• Proven experience building high-fidelity training environments for complex procedural workflows

2. CAE Inc.

CAE is one of the world's largest defense simulation and training companies, with a 75-year history supplying synthetic training environments to militaries across more than 40 countries. Their CAE Defense and Security division produces mission training centers, full-flight simulators, ground vehicle simulators, and immersive networked environments used by the US Air Force, US Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, UK RAF, and dozens of NATO allies under long-term government contracts worth billions. The CAE Medallion family of visual systems and the CAE Rise XR platform provide high-fidelity image generation for aircrew and ground force training at scale. CAE's simulation infrastructure underpins some of the largest live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training programs in the world, including the US Air Force T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer simulation contract.

Key Strengths:

• 75-year defense simulation heritage with customers in 40+ military nations
• Full-spectrum LVC training from flight to ground vehicle to naval
• CAE Rise XR platform for networked immersive mission rehearsal
• Billion-dollar long-term US DoD and NATO program contracts

3. Bohemia Interactive Simulations

Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) is the developer of VBS (Virtual Battlespace), the most widely deployed military ground force simulation platform in the world, currently in its fourth major iteration VBS4. The platform is the recognized standard for dismounted infantry training, mission rehearsal, and tactical decision-making across the US Army, US Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, UK MoD, and more than 50 other military organizations globally. Built on an evolved lineage of the ARMA game engine, VBS4 supports individual soldier training through battalion-level wargaming with procedurally generated terrain, authentic weapons behavior, and AI opposing forces. BISim also integrates with the US Army's Synthetic Training Environment (STE) program through its OneSAF semi-automated forces and Blue IG visual modules.

Key Strengths:

• VBS4 is the NATO and US DoD ground-force simulation standard
• Deployed by 50+ military organizations for individual-to-battalion training
• Deep integration with the US Army Synthetic Training Environment (STE)
• Authentic weapons physics and AI-driven opposing forces (OPFOR)

4. L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris is a $20B+ defense prime contractor whose Simulation and Training division carries the legacy of Link Aviation - inventors of the original Link Trainer flight simulator - and L3 MPRI. Their portfolio includes Army One Semi-Automated Forces (OneSAF) integration, synthetic training environments tied to the US Army STE program, and AR-capable night-vision and helmet-mounted targeting systems deployed across multiple US DoD branches. L3Harris produces the WESCAM family of airborne sensor systems and AR heads-up displays used in military aircraft and rotary-wing platforms. As a prime integrator they build distributed LVC simulation networks that synchronize live ranges, virtual simulators, and constructive models for joint force exercises at scale.

Key Strengths:

• Prime-contractor scale with direct US Army STE program involvement
• Link Simulation lineage as inventors of the military flight simulator
• AR-capable night-vision and HMD targeting systems for fielded forces
• Joint LVC integration across air, land, and maritime domains

5. Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems is one of Israel's largest defense electronics companies and a global leader in combat-proven AR and XR solutions for ground, air, and naval forces. Their IronVision helmet gives armored vehicle commanders a 360-degree situational awareness view by streaming external camera feeds into a see-through helmet visor, eliminating blind spots in tanks and IFVs - a system already operational with multiple military customers. The JHMCS II (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II) provides fighter pilots with AR targeting cues, adopted by the US Air Force and international operators of F-16 and F-15 aircraft. Elbit's TORCH-X battlefield AR management platform overlays real-time intelligence, blue-force tracking, and targeting data for ground commanders, while their Elbit Systems of America division provides simulation and training systems to the US Army and National Guard.

Key Strengths:

• IronVision 360-degree AR helmet for armored vehicle commanders (combat-proven)
• JHMCS II fighter-pilot AR cueing system on USAF and allied aircraft
• TORCH-X battlefield AR overlay for ground force situational awareness
• US Army and National Guard training systems through Elbit Systems of America

6. Varjo

Varjo develops the highest-resolution VR and XR headsets available commercially, targeting professional simulation and military training markets where visual fidelity directly affects training effectiveness and target acquisition performance. Their Varjo XR-4 and predecessor XR-3 headsets deliver up to 51 pixels-per-degree resolution - approaching human-eye acuity - and are used by NATO air force simulation programs, US defense contractors building pilot training systems, and the Finnish Defence Forces. Major simulation providers including CAE, L3Harris, and Lockheed Martin integrate Varjo headsets into fixed-base and full-flight simulator programs for fighter and rotary-wing aircraft, enabling mission rehearsal that was previously only possible with expensive dome projector systems. Varjo's Reality Cloud enterprise platform supports distributed multi-user XR training sessions across geographically separated forces.

Key Strengths:

• Highest-resolution military VR headset on the market (51 PPD, near human-eye acuity)
• Integrated into fighter and rotary-wing simulation by CAE, L3Harris, and Lockheed Martin
• NATO air force adoption for pilot mission rehearsal
• Reality Cloud platform enables distributed multi-user military training

7. VirTra

VirTra (NASDAQ: VTSI) is a publicly traded US company specializing in immersive scenario-based simulation systems for use-of-force and tactical training across law enforcement and military customers in more than 40 countries. Their flagship V-300 system wraps trainees in a 300-degree five-screen theater with branching scenario software, live-fire conversion kits, and the Threat-Fire haptic vest that delivers a mild electric stimulus when the system scores a simulated hit - producing stress inoculation that translates directly to improved performance under real-world pressure. The V-100 and V-180 configurations serve smaller facilities and forward operating units. VirTra has delivered systems to US Army units, National Guard facilities, and international military customers, and their VERA AI role-player engine enables realistic de-escalation and engagement scenarios without requiring a live human controller.

Key Strengths:

• V-300 300-degree immersive theater with branching use-of-force scenarios
• Threat-Fire haptic vest delivers stress inoculation that screen-only systems cannot replicate
• Live-fire weapon conversion kits for highest-fidelity marksmanship training
• Deployed in 40+ countries including US Army and National Guard facilities

8. Cubic Defense

Cubic Defense (taken private by Veritas Capital in 2021) is one of the longest-established providers of live and virtual military training systems, best known for the MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) laser-based engagement simulation standard that has equipped US Army and NATO force-on-force exercises for decades. Their JLCCTC (Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability) virtual environment supports battalion-through-corps-level wargaming, and the Cubic JTEN (Joint Training Enterprise Network) connects live, virtual, and constructive systems into unified joint exercises. Cubic's Objective Individual Combat Weapon trainers and dismounted soldier simulation gear are fielded across multiple US commands and allied militaries. Their land training division operates live training ranges across the US and UK under long-term Army contracts.

Key Strengths:

• MILES engagement simulation - the NATO standard for live force-on-force training
• JLCCTC constructive wargaming environment from battalion to corps level
• JTEN network integrates live ranges, virtual simulators, and constructive models
• Decades-long US Army and NATO program office relationships

9. Thales Group

Thales is a French defense and technology multinational whose simulation and AR portfolio spans aviator, ground soldier, and naval domains across NATO. Their TopOwl Helmet Mounted Display System equips military helicopter crews on Tiger, NH90, and other platforms with AR targeting overlays, navigation cues, and sensor fusion data - operational with French, German, Dutch, and Australian forces. Thales leads the digital soldier AR layer in France's SCORPION joint arms program, developing the SYNAPSE battle-management AR visor for next-generation infantry, while their FELIN system already equips the French Army with networked digital soldier displays. The Thales Land and Air Systems simulation division builds ground vehicle, naval bridge, and air defense training systems deployed across more than 50 countries, with strong domestic footprints in France, the UK, and Australia.

Key Strengths:

• TopOwl HMD - operational AR for helicopter crews across NATO air forces
• SCORPION/SYNAPSE next-generation infantry AR visor program (French Army)
• Simulation systems deployed in 50+ countries across air, land, and naval domains
• Strong in-country footprint in France, UK, and Australia with domestic defense contracts

10. Saab Training and Simulation

Saab's Training and Simulation division is a premier supplier of instrumented live training systems for ground combat forces, with its BT-46 Land Combat Training System (LCTS) and related BT-9 man-portable variants deployed across more than 40 countries including US Army National Guard, the UK, Germany, Australia, and Singapore. The BT systems use laser-based hit detection on individual soldiers, vehicles, and crew-served weapons to enable realistic force-on-force exercises with full after-action review data. Their GAMER (Ground Attack Mission Rehearsal) VR platform enables armored unit crews to rehearse specific terrain and battle scenarios in high-fidelity virtual environments before stepping onto live ranges. Saab's simulation expertise also extends to the Gripen fighter jet's embedded training systems and naval warfare simulation, giving the division a rare multi-domain footprint that few pure-play training companies can match.

Key Strengths:

• BT-46 LCTS live training system fielded in 40+ countries including US National Guard
• Full instrumentation of individual soldiers, vehicles, and crew-served weapons for AARs
• GAMER VR platform for armored crew mission rehearsal before live exercises
• Multi-domain simulation expertise across ground, air (Gripen), and naval

Frequently Asked Questions

What is XR used for in military training?

XR is used across multiple military training contexts: VR platforms like VBS4 enable individual soldier and squad-level tactical decision-making training without consuming live ammunition or requiring physical ranges. AR systems like Elbit's IronVision and Thales TopOwl provide crew and pilot situational awareness overlays in live platforms, blurring the line between training and operational systems. Live training systems like Cubic's MILES and Saab's BT-46 use laser-based hit detection to instrument real force-on-force field exercises with accurate after-action data. High-fidelity VR headsets from Varjo are used in full-flight and fixed-base simulators to dramatically reduce the cost of aircrew training that was previously only achievable in dome-projector systems.

How does the US Army use virtual reality for training?

The US Army's primary VR training program is the Synthetic Training Environment (STE), which aims to replace over 70 legacy training simulators with a unified networked environment linking individual soldier VR trainers to collective training systems and constructive wargaming tools. BISim's VBS4 and L3Harris OneSAF are among the platforms integrated into the STE ecosystem. At the individual and small unit level, VirTra systems provide use-of-force and tactical scenario training for combat troops and military police. Flight training uses Varjo-integrated simulators at various airbases. The Army also uses Cubic MILES systems for large-scale force-on-force exercises at combat training centers.

What is the difference between live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) simulation?

LVC is the framework the military uses to organize different types of training simulation. Live simulation uses actual personnel and equipment operating in the real world, augmented with instrumentation (like MILES laser engagement systems) to record hits and misses. Virtual simulation uses computer-generated environments - VR headsets, cockpit simulators, or immersive theaters - where trainees interact with simulated entities. Constructive simulation uses computer models where both forces and units are fully simulated, typically for command-level wargaming and campaign planning. Modern military training programs increasingly integrate all three into networked exercises where a pilot in a virtual cockpit simulator can fly in support of ground troops conducting a live exercise, with constructive forces filling gaps in the order of battle.

Which XR headsets are used by the military?

The US DoD's highest-profile XR headset program is the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), which uses Microsoft HoloLens hardware in a ruggedized military form factor to provide soldiers with night-vision, blue-force tracking, and targeting overlays. For aviation training, Varjo headsets (particularly the XR-4) are widely used by defense contractors and NATO air forces building high-fidelity simulators, due to their near-human-eye-acuity resolution. Elbit Systems produces the JHMCS II helmet HMD used on operational F-16 and F-15 aircraft. VirTra uses consumer-derived displays in their tactical training theaters. Defense simulator builders often source headsets from commercial providers and integrate them into custom physical platforms rather than using off-the-shelf headsets alone.