From fixed simulators to flexible XR: HAVIK’s Unity powered transformation of defense training

Tangible outcomes and benefits for defense organizations

By leveraging Unity’s real-time 3D capabilities, HAVIK delivers a training solution that drives clear operational and organizational benefits for defense organizations:

• Secure, offline deployment

Airgapped Deployment Capability: The system is designed to run in secure, offline environments, making it suitable for defense and restricted use cases.

• Cross-platform deployment on COTS hardware

Unity’s multi-platform capabilities enable HAVIK to deploy across VR headsets, laptops, and tablets using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware - supporting portable, “anytime, anywhere” training without specialized infrastructure.

• Expanded access to training

Portable systems make advanced training available to more users across more locations.

• Improved efficiency

Reduced setup time and simplified operation lower the barrier to entry.

• Lower costs

Minimized reliance on physical assets and large-scale infrastructure.

• Consistent training outcomes

Repeatable scenarios support standardized evaluation and skill development.

• Mission readiness

Users can train more frequently and collaboratively in realistic environments.

• Future-ready platform

Modular architecture supports ongoing expansion and integration of new capabilities.

These outcomes reflect a broader shift toward software-driven training environments that prioritize flexibility, scalability, and continuous improvement.

HAVIK was founded by a former Navy SEAL with a clear mission: to modernize training using the power of real-time 3D technology. What began as a hands-on effort to improve training outcomes has grown into a globally deployed platform used across military branches and simulation centers.

Today, HAVIK provides immersive training systems that enable individuals and teams to practice complex operations in realistic, interactive environments. By combining consumer-grade hardware with advanced simulation software, HAVIK is helping organizations rethink how training is delivered, making it more accessible, adaptable, and scalable.

At a time when defense organizations must prepare for increasingly complex and rapidly evolving scenarios, the ability to train effectively, repeatedly, and collaboratively is more important than ever.

The platform is already in use on hundreds of systems across U.S. and NATO partner military branches, demonstrating its growing role in modern training environments.

Expanding training beyond legacy systems

Traditional training systems often relied on large, spherical, fixed simulation environments. These setups required extensive hardware, dedicated facilities, and specialized technicians to operate. While effective in certain contexts, they were difficult to scale, costly to maintain, and limited in flexibility.

Updating scenarios or adding new capabilities was slow and resource-intensive. This made it challenging to keep pace with evolving operational requirements or to provide consistent training across distributed teams.

HAVIK set out to change this by building a more flexible, software-driven approach; one that could deliver high-quality training without the constraints of legacy infrastructure.

To succeed, the solution needed to:

• Reduce reliance on large, fixed simulation environments
• Enable rapid updates and continuous improvement
• Support both individual and team-based training scenarios
• Run on portable, widely available hardware
• Deliver realistic, immersive environments without complex setup

Building a portable, real-time 3D training platform powered by Unity Industry

HAVIK developed a modular training ecosystem powered by Unity’s real-time 3D platform. At its core is HAVIK Core™, a scalable simulation environment that supports multiple training modules and roles within a unified system, accessible across VR, AR, and desktop interfaces depending on training needs.

A key part of HAVIK’s approach is rethinking how training experiences feel and function. By drawing on modern game design principles, the platform introduces a level of accessibility, visual quality, and usability that has traditionally not been a focus in this space. This makes training more intuitive to engage with, while also improving immersion and user adoption.

The platform allows users to train individually in specialized areas such as drone operations or coordinated mission workflows, while also enabling multi-user scenarios where teams operate together in shared environments - similar to multiplayer experiences.

Inside the application: immersive, collaborative training

HAVIK’s platform supports a wide range of training workflows, from individual skill development to coordinated mission planning and execution.

Users can:

• Train in role-specific scenarios such as air support coordination or drone operations
• Participate in multi-user exercises where each participant plays a distinct role
• Plan and execute missions within shared virtual environments
• Adjust and replay scenarios for evaluation and continuous improvement
• Visualize and analyze outcomes to improve decision-making

The platform also supports mission planning tools that allow users to simulate different approaches, assess team capabilities, and refine strategies before execution.

A key advantage of immersive VR is its ability to replicate spatial awareness. Many training scenarios depend on understanding not just individual tasks, but how people, systems, and environments interact in real space.

By placing users directly inside these environments, HAVIK enables more intuitive awareness of surroundings, coordination with teammates, and decision-making under realistic conditions.

Building with Unity: a flexible foundation for simulation

Unity plays a central role in HAVIK’s platform, providing the real-time 3D foundation that enables rapid development, scalability, and high-fidelity simulation.

HAVIK uses Unity to power every layer of its system:

• Real-time 3D engine (Core Runtime): Unity provides the foundation for HAVIK Core™, enabling high-fidelity, geospatially accurate environments with dynamic weather, lighting, and terrain conditions. These environments replicate real-world battlefields and can be adjusted in real time by instructors.
• XR / VR frameworks: Unity’s XR stack is used to support immersive VR-based training, allowing users to operate in first-person environments while interacting with simulated equipment and battlefield systems. HAVIK systems support both VR and mixed-reality workflows for JTAC and SUAS operations.
• Multi-user networking & simulation interoperability: Unity is used as the orchestration layer for multi-user scenarios, enabling distributed training where multiple roles (JTACs, drone operators, instructors) operate in the same simulation. The platform integrates with external simulation standards such as DIS, ATAK, and Anduril’s Lattice.
• UI system for tactical interfaces: Unity’s UI framework underpins mission planning tools, instructor control panels, and tablet-based interfaces. These interfaces allow users to interact with maps, telemetry, and mission data in real time.
• Physics & simulation systems: Unity’s physics and custom simulation layers are used to model realistic system behaviors, including aircraft, drones, sensors, and environmental effects (weather, visibility, thermal conditions). This supports “true-to-life TTPs” and decision-making training.
• Prefab & modular content system: Unity’s prefab architecture supports HAVIK’s modular design, allowing rapid configuration of different training roles (JTAC, SUAS operator, Air Traffic Controller) and mission setups within a shared platform.
• Cross-platform deployment: Unity’s multi-platform feature enables HAVIK to deploy a fully portable system running on COTS hardware (laptops, VR headsets, tablets), supporting training “anytime, anywhere” without specialized infrastructure.

Beyond powering the current platform, Unity enables HAVIK to scale its vision for the future.

How HAVIK built a scalable simulation platform with Unity

HAVIK’s development approach is centered on building a scalable simulation foundation first, then layering mission-specific training modules on top. This ensures consistency across use cases while enabling rapid expansion as new requirements emerge.

1. Platform foundation (HAVIK Core™)

HAVIK built its core runtime in Unity to support real-time terrain rendering, multi-user networking, and synchronized simulation states. A modular architecture allows different mission sets to plug into a shared platform, creating a consistent foundation for all training scenarios.

2. Environment and scenario systems

Using Unity’s High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP), HAVIK developed geospatially accurate environments with dynamic weather, lighting, and atmospheric effects. Instructors can adjust these conditions in real time, enabling flexible and responsive training scenarios.

3. Role-based simulation modules

HAVIK created interoperable training modules within the same Unity-based system, each tailored to specific roles:

• Joint Fires Training (JFT) for coordination workflows
• SUAS training for drone operations and ISR scenarios
• Landing and drop zone training for air traffic and ground coordination

These modules share common systems such as UI, networking, and environments, while customizing interactions for each role.

4. Interaction and interface layer

Unity’s UI and XR frameworks power both immersive and non-immersive interactions. Users can operate in VR-based first-person environments, while instructors and planners use desktop and tablet interfaces for mission control, planning, and analysis.

5. Multi-user and distributed training

HAVIK uses Unity’s networking capabilities alongside external protocols to synchronize multiple participants within the same scenario. This enables distributed training across locations, from single-user setups to fully coordinated multi-user exercises.

6. Hardware integration and deployment

Leveraging Unity’s cross-platform capabilities, HAVIK deploys its system on VR headsets, laptops, and tablet-based control systems. This allows training systems to be set up quickly using commercial off-the-shelf hardware, without the need for dedicated infrastructure.

7. Continuous iteration driven by end users

HAVIK’s platform evolves through ongoing feedback from operators. Unity’s rapid iteration cycle enables frequent updates to scenarios, tools, and mission modules, without requiring system reconfiguration, ensuring the platform keeps pace with real-world needs.

Rapid iteration driven by real-world needs

One of HAVIK’s key advantages is its ability to evolve quickly in response to user feedback.

Using Unity, the team can:

• Develop and test new features rapidly
• Update scenarios without reconfiguring hardware
• Expand training modules as requirements change
• Integrate new capabilities into existing workflows

This iterative approach ensures the platform stays aligned with real-world needs and continues to improve over time.

Unity’s ecosystem also makes it easier to onboard developers and collaborate with partners, supporting HAVIK’s goal of expanding its platform and enabling third-party innovation.

Why digital twins matter for military training

HAVIK’s use of digital twin technology enables organizations to recreate complex operational environments in a controlled, virtual setting - delivering realistic training without the cost, risk, or logistical constraints of live exercises.

Key advantages include:

• Realistic, risk-free training: Simulations mirror real-world conditions while maintaining a safe environment
• Flexible, repeatable scenarios: Instructors can adjust terrain, weather, and mission parameters in real time, with consistent replay for evaluation
• Reduced cost and complexity: Less reliance on physical assets and large-scale infrastructure
• Scalable, distributed training: Enables consistent training across locations without additional setup overhead
• Secure deployment: Designed to operate in controlled, air-gapped environments for restricted-use scenarios

Together, these capabilities enable a more adaptable, software-driven training model that evolves alongside operational needs.

Looking ahead: toward fully connected, multi-role simulation

HAVIK’s roadmap focuses on unifying its training modules into fully integrated, multi-role simulations, enabling users across specializations to train together in shared environments that reflect real-world coordination.

Built on Unity Industry’s real-time 3D platform, this foundation supports continuous evolution, unlocking faster development through shared systems, higher visual fidelity with HDRP, and scalable deployment across use cases.

HAVIK also aims to extend this ecosystem by enabling third-party contributors to build new capabilities, accelerating innovation.

At its core, this work is about preparedness. By enabling more effective, immersive, and repeatable training, HAVIK is helping individuals and teams build confidence and make better decisions when it matters most.