An Orlando augmented reality tech firm that has been on a roll announced Friday a contract with the U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm AFWERX that will allow it to further develop an AR system that trains pilots in real fighter jets, in real-time.
Red 6, which has partnered and been backed by large firms like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Disney, has been developing a synthetic air combat training system.
The selection for AFWERX will result in $30 million in funding that will be matched by $30 million of private investment money.
The money will help Red 6 pursue further two of its main programs: the Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) and the Augmented Reality Command and Analytic Data Environment (ARCADE). The technology has been praised as a potential game changer in U.S. Air Force pilot training.
Red 6 CEO Daniel Robinson, in the press release: “Being chosen as a recipient of the STRATFI award is not just an honor, but a testament to the unwavering dedication and innovation of our team at Red 6. This recognition fuels our commitment to pushing boundaries in the aerospace industry and continuing to redefine what’s possible in air combat training.”
Robinson served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force.
The funding comes thanks to a program called STRATFI, which was established in 2020 and helps government partners bridge a gap between what is known as Phase II and Phase III funding stages.