Virtual Technology Allows Commandos to Train in Bin Laden's Compound

What do you get when you mix unbelievably cool and useful virtual technologies with one of the most successful covert military operations in American history?  The perfect tool to train and equip commandos.

The historic raid that took down the world's most infamous terrorist surely offers a plethora of lessons for American military personnel.  Just three weeks after the death of Osama bin Laden, Wired reports that defense giant Raytheon and "motion-capture studio" Motion Reality have come together to create a ground-breaking simulation of bin Laden's compound:

Thomas McLaughlin, the CEO of Motion Reality, wants to make sure Votel has his fill of well-trained recruits. That’s why he built Virtsim, the virtual reality module that have T.J. and David acting all SEAL Team 6. The graphics look like Call of Duty: Pakistan, down to the bullet holes pockmarking the compound’s dusty, concrete walls. This might be the most exciting setting for Virtsim, but it’s by no means the only one. There’s Urban East, a “more Middle East”-like display, explains product manager Joel Rigunary, as well as Urban West, for hometown house-to-house fighting. Additionally, there’s Desert and Mountain. Sound like any wars you know?

“In the five minutes it takes to get ready,” McLaughlin beams, “they step into Afghanistan.” For the past year-and-a-half, he says, the FBI has used Virtsim for training. Now he wants it to be the special-operations community’s turn.

Utilizing this tool, there's tremendous opportunity to better train and equip special-operation teams.  With tough financial constraints and increasing global pressures, utilizing this technology may greatly benefit the U.S. interests.  Wired's Spencer Ackerman captured the technology in action:

In other news, a California-based paintball course is redesigning its playing field to look like bin Landen's compound. Unlike Motion Reality's initiative, this serves absolutely no purpose (outside of the realm of sheer entertainment).