Virtual Reality as an Educational Tool in the Training of Explosives for the Swedish Armed Forces Personnel

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is not part of the curriculum of explosives for the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) today. According to the research department at the Swedish EOD and Demining Centre (SWEDEC), this study is the first step in introducing VR to modernize the educational system for explosives within the SAF. This study investigates why VR is not used as a complement in the education of explosives for the SAF and finds the potential benefits and risks of implementing it. Qualitative data was collected through the survey method `case study research' where experts in the field of explosives tried a VR prototype made specifically for this study before being interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the results from the interviews.This study shows that VR is not part of the curriculum of explosives today because the older generation who decides either has a reluctant mindset or lacks the knowledge and awareness to see what it has to offer. The interviewees agree on the potential benefits of implementing VR in this field, the main benefits are cost reduction, safety, and logistics.  If the quality of the program is poor, the safety aspect and learning behaviors could be jeopardized because a user is treating the program like a game. To implement VR as a complement in the education of explosives for the SAF has more potential benefits than potential risks, and the potential risks can be reduced by using a program with quality assurance. There is an overwhelming interest among the interviewees where all participants agree that the education in explosives could benefit from implementing VR.