A recent press release from Qwaq, Inc describes a new initiative by the United States Navy to experiment with the Qwaq virtual environment to test out their combat systems virtually. Spearheaded by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, a research and development arm of the US Navy, the "virtual Combat Systems Center" will allow the Navy to train personnel around the world in a simulated submarine environment.
If you are like me, you have not heard much about the Qwaq virtual platform. Among the advantages cited in the press release of this environment:
- Can run within a secure server, firewalled environment
- Can run the actual software applications that may be deployed on naval vessels
- Can integrate live and simulated data sources
- Can import 3D models of existing equipment
- Supports voice, video and text chat communications
- Supports multi-application and document sharing
That sounds quite impressive. Obviously, Qwaq is focused on the business collaboration market, given their feature set. I haven't spent much time there myself, so I can't speak to the user experience personally.
Apparently, the NUWC is exploring a range of virtual technologies, because they already have developed some Second Life applications for the US Navy that you can visit here.
