ECS Develops Immersive Virtual World for NATO Staff Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) has designed and developed a Virtual Operational Headquarters (VOHQ) for NATO – a first for the Alliance.

An immersive 3D virtual world intended to host a suite of staff training solutions, managed by a built-in content management system, the VOHQ has been designed with margin for future expansion in mind. Staff are able to connect, share information in real time and rehearse or prepare for deployment of operational exercises. The construct will allow NATO to conduct public and private briefings; collaboration features will include slide presentations, file uploads, streaming video, screen-sharing and VOIP, simulating NATO’s communications and IT systems.

“NATO’s Virtual Headquarters, built using ECS’s leading technology, will enable NATO to fully utilise modern technology in allowing our NATO Force and Command Structure to fully prepare prior to deployment to ensure they are educated, trained and ready to hit the ground running,” explained Paul Thurkettle, Section Head, Education & Training Technologies at NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT). ACT is currently evaluating potential interest within the Alliance and its partner nations to contribute to shared further development of the virtual platform, according to the company.