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Richard Piatt ReportingTechnology is already a key part of our national defense, but software engineers keep working to make hi-tech work better in war as well as in training. A technology conference at the Salt Palace today shows off some of the technology geared towards the Department of Defense.
From missions to missiles, today's virtual reality technology is the next best thing to doing it. But the Department of defense still says there's nothing like the real thing. That's why they're going forward with a massive test explosion in a few weeks.
With the software showcased today, even I could operate a robot that detonates high explosives, or fly a fighter jet and shoot down enemy planes. The people who create this software say our fighting men and women are better at what they do because they can train on equipment like this.
They have high regard for their simulators, but they say the controversial test explosion set for June in Nevada does serve a purpose.
Brad Drake, U.S. Army Software Engineer: "The robot doesn't have to come out of the field. You can use this box, it's the exact same hardware. You can become familiar with the robot before you get to use it."
Tony Henderson, Software Engineer: "In those types of tests, they're testing hardware systems. And they're seeing how they stand up to concussion and other tests. And the only way they can get that is to blow things up."
Some of these simulators are so real, people even get vertigo operating them.
The Divine Strake explosion will take place June 2. The Department of Defense is testing the effectiveness of 'bunker buster' bombs, exploding 700-tons of explosive to do it.
