Red 6 has taken augmented reality (AR) training to a new territory by integrating its Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems (ATARS) into Boeing’s AH-64E Apache Crewstation Advanced Technology Testbed.
This marks the first-ever integration of an AR flight training system on a rotorcraft, giving army aviators access to next-gen training tools.
ATARS overlays virtual, threat-realistic elements onto the real world, letting pilots train against near-peer adversaries without the cost, risk, or limits of traditional live exercises.
By injecting dynamic scenarios into real flight, the system improves safety, eases airspace restrictions, and enables training at scale and speed.
“The integration of ATARS with the Apache marks a significant milestone – not only as our inaugural collaboration with a rotorcraft platform but also as our first potential partnership with a US Army platform,” said Daniel Robinson, CEO and Co-founder of Red 6.
“This collaboration demonstrates the versatility and strategic value of augmented reality training across all domains of military aviation.”
AR Training Goes Further
The Apache integration sets the stage for collaborative combat aircraft training, offering crews data-rich, repeatable scenarios.
ATARS captures flight information then generates datasets for more accurate, objective readiness assessments.
The project marks Red 6’s first integration with a US Army platform and extends its work beyond earlier collaborations with the US Air Force.
The company previously partnered with Boeing on the T-7A Red Hawk and is now expanding AR training across multiple service branches.
“Boeing continuously seeks to incorporate the most innovative and advanced technologies into our rotorcraft platforms,” stated Kathleen “KJ” Jolivette, vice president and general manager of Boeing’s Vertical Lift division.
“Augmented reality technologies such as ATARS open up new opportunities to prepare military aviators for complex threat environments they face today and will encounter in the future.”
