Blog

A new format for Varjo Base updates

Anna Nilsson, Head of Design and Research, Varjo — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:18:10 GMT

With the release of Varjo Base 4.15, we’re introducing a new way of delivering updates through two release channels; Release Candidates and Main releases.

This change is a response to how Varjo Base is actually used today. Our customers rely on it in environments that are often complex, integrated, and highly specific. While we test extensively, there is always a gap between internal validation and real-world use. At the same time, many teams want access to improvements earlier, especially when those changes can enhance their workflows directly.

Rethinking Training for the Drone Era - Varjo HQ Open House

lasse.tuominen@varjo.com (Lasse Tuominen, Sales Director APAC, Varjo) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:26:00 GMT

On Monday, March 23rd, we opened the doors to Varjo HQ in Helsinki to explore how immersive technology is shaping real-world training and simulation. One theme came through clearly from the opening talks. Modern conflict is evolving faster than traditional training can keep up, and small, low-cost drones are at the center of everyone’s attention.

Ensuring Mission Readiness: 6 Must-Haves for a Military VR Headset

Varjo — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:11:12 GMT

High-Security VR for Enterprise: Meeting the Strictest Standards for Professional Use

Harri Sinnelä, Chief Information Security Officer — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:45:00 GMT

With the Highest Quality Comes the Highest Security

When I joined Varjo in 2024, one thing became immediately clear: this company doesn’t treat security as a checkbox. Instead, it is built into the DNA of what we do, not something just added later for compliance reasons or customer reassurance.

That focus comes from the reality of where Varjo operates. Our XR headsets are deployed in aerospace, defense, maritime, industrial design, engineering, research, and other environments where the stakes are very real. In these settings, security is a prerequisite.

A single unexpected data path, an undocumented component, or an uncontrolled software update can be enough to derail accreditation processes or introduce unacceptable risk into operational systems. That is why we embed security across the entire lifecycle of our products, from manufacturing and hardware design to software behavior and governance.

Security that stands up to real-world operational demands

Organizations need confidence that devices behave predictably, that nothing transmits unexpectedly, and that suppliers and processes can withstand scrutiny. That’s why security at Varjo is not confined to our hardware, software, and manufacturing, but also encompasses our governance and ways of working.

Varjo’s Information Security Management System is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, the globally recognized standard for information security management. Maintaining this certification means that our security practices and controls are independently audited and continuously improved.

Secure by design: hardware built for professional environments

When we engineered our latest generation of devices, the XR-4 Series, we did so with the premise that our customers would need full control over data flows.

The XR-4 headsets do not store session data or environmental content. Processing takes place on the customer's connected workstation, allowing organizations to apply their own security controls, monitoring, and governance practices without introducing additional risk inside the device.

Transparency is equally important. For security reviews and formal accreditation processes, Varjo can provide documentation such as Letters of Camera Usage and Letters of Volatility, outlining camera modules and memory components. These are often essential when integrating XR technology into restricted environments.

Secure manufacturing and supply chain integrity

Varjo works with world-class manufacturing partners whose processes include strict quality and security controls. These measures help prevent counterfeit components and ensure electronics are sourced only from original manufacturers or approved distributors.

For the most security-conscious deployments, XR-4 Secure Edition headsets are manufactured at our secure manufacturing facility in Finland (a NATO member state) and meet the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) requirements. They are also available without any wireless components. This provides an additional level of assurance for customers operating under strict sourcing and compliance rules.

Varjo's secure manufacturing facility in Finland

Xr-4 SERIES CAN BE USED OFFLINE

Many of our customers operate in environments where connectivity is prohibited.

The XR-4 Series supports deployment without internet connectivity through an offline package, eliminating the need for online activation and enabling operation in restricted or air-gapped networks. Offline operation is included by default with XR-4 Secure Edition.

Secure software with customer control at the core

Varjo Base, the software platform that manages Varjo headsets, is built around a simple principle: the customer stays in control.

Log files remain on the customer’s workstation. They are never transmitted automatically, and can be reviewed, deleted, or shared manually if needed for support. Automatic updates can be fully disabled, allowing organizations to decide when and how software changes are introduced, supporting internal testing, validation, and change management requirements.

Behind the scenes, Varjo Base follows a secure software development lifecycle. Every release undergoes automated vulnerability scanning, static code analysis, dependency checks, and manual code review before release.

Varjo Base has also received a Certificate to Field (CTF) from the United States Air Force, confirming it meets stringent operational and security requirements for use within U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Training Infrastructure.

Trusted by the most demanding organizations

Across my career in security, I’ve learned that real trust is earned through transparency, engineering discipline, and consistency over time.

Varjo’s security approach has earned the trust of organizations where failure is not an option. Our customers include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Finnish Air Force, and defense contractors and system integrators worldwide.

We work closely with our end users and integrators to provide the technical disclosures, documentation, and configuration options required for security authorization in the most sensitive deployments.

Secure XR without compromise

High-security XR does not have to mean reduced capability. With Varjo, organizations can deploy VR and XR solutions that meet rigorous security requirements while still delivering world-leading visual fidelity and performance.

For teams operating in environments where assurance is paramount, XR-4 was built to meet those demands, not as an add-on, but by design.

For a full FAQ on Varjo's security measures, read more from our Help Center.

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5 Pioneering Mixed and Virtual Reality (XR and VR) Training Solutions

Varjo — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Lufthansa Aviation Training is the flight academy subsidiary of Lufthansa and a leading full-service provider of commercial pilot training. Every year, they train more than 700 pilots across six different training centers.

Training in a real aircraft is still the best method of training commercial pilots, but as the number of aircraft and instructors is limited, the number of pilots that can be trained and the frequency of instruction are relatively low. This makes new technologies that can complement training extremely useful.

The search for new technologies led Lufthansa to explore mixed reality simulator solutions with BRUNNER and Varjo. The result was a better simulator experience that will help pilot trainees reach their targets quicker, become more professional, and do it at a lower cost, in a more environmentally friendly way.

2. The Royal Australian Air Force Pioneers VR/XR Military Medical Training

WATCH THE FILM

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Health Operational Conversion Unit is using mixed reality, powered by Varjo headsets and the BlueRoom system, to train its medical personnel for demanding operational environments. This immersive VR training solution allows doctors, nurses, and medics to practice procedures – from aeromedical evacuation to field-hospital scenarios – in highly realistic virtual environments that mimic aircraft cabins, combat zones, and other mission contexts. Mixed reality offers efficient, hands-on practice with real equipment in risk-free settings, reducing logistical challenges and costs associated with full-scale exercises. XR also enables unrestricted access to repeatable training scenarios.

By blending physical tools with virtual surroundings, RAAF's XR training solution bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world operations, enabling RAAF trainees to build confidence and refine their critical skills under simulated stressors, such as noise and environmental complexity. The system supports a wide range of medical tasks and can be adjusted in real time by instructors, helping ensure that personnel are deployment-ready and better prepared to respond decisively in actual missions. Read more.

3. How the Slovenian Armed Forces Are Driving Operational Readiness with VR/XR

Watch The Film

Due to the lack of domestic dome simulator capabilities, the Slovenian Armed Forces previously relied on facilities outside Slovenia for pilot training on platforms including Bell helicopters, Cougars, and the PC-9. This led to accessibility limitations. “We didn’t have any solutions for tactical simulation. We relied on foreign facilities, which caused significant scheduling difficulties. The dome simulators we had access to didn’t match our aircraft accurately,” says Lt. Col. Gregor Virant, Chief of Strategic Events and Policy at SAF.

Acknowledging the urgent need to improve the quality of their training programs, SAF partnered with the simulation company AFormX to technologically modernize their tactical flight training with VR training solutions. The partnership has resulted in the creation of three high-fidelity simulators powered by Varjo headsets: a Virtual Reality (VR) simulator for the SWIFT light attack aircraft, a Mixed Reality (XR) simulator for the same aircraft, and a VR simulator for the AS532 Cougar helicopter.

Integrating virtual and mixed reality simulation into SAF’s training programs has already improved pilot performance and operational readiness. Pilots are now able to rehearse complex maneuvers in a realistic, risk-free environment, which has boosted pilot confidence and competence and enabled more effective mission execution from the very start. Read more.

4. FORCE Technology Achieves a Thousandfold Cost Reduction in Maritime Training with VR/XR

FORCE Technology is a global leader in the maritime simulation space that provides training to employees of the biggest naval companies in the world. They offer cutting-edge ship bridge simulators and are always looking to advance the training technology further. As maritime training shares many of the same challenges as pilot training, it led them to partner with Varjo to explore how the next generation of naval simulation could be built.

Simulators have many benefits over training with actual vessels: you can practice maneuvers that are hard or impossible to train with real vessels, the operating expense is much lower due, and you can easily implement different weather conditions. They are not without drawbacks, though. They typically cost around 1-10 million dollars per unit, they need large facilities, and the portability is practically nonexistent, so training volumes and cost savings are limited.

Now, FORCE Technology is bringing about a second generational shift in maritime training with the help of Varjo’s virtual and mixed reality. The new simulator solution leverages Varjo headsets to achieve major portability benefits and a thousandfold cost reduction.

5. Rheinmetall Scales Battlefield Readiness Through XR Driving Simulation

WATCH THE FILM

Rheinmetall is using the refreshed Varjo XR-4 Series in its high-fidelity driving simulators to support large-scale military vehicle training. The VR solution recreates realistic battlefield driving conditions, enabling individual soldiers and full-vehicle crews to train in mixed reality. Real cockpit hardware is combined with fully virtual terrain, weather, and combat scenarios. This helps trainees develop critical driving skills safely before operating real vehicles.

Rheinmetall's mixed reality simulator setup is portable, reconfigurable, and adaptable to different vehicle types and training locations. This flexibility allows armed forces to expand training capacity without relying on fixed simulators. It also supports decentralized training as fleet sizes grow and readiness demands increase. Rheinmetall sees XR as a key enabler for future defense training beyond driving simulation, with Varjo playing a central role in scaling immersive training solutions. Read more.

Want to learn more about using VR and XR for simulator training?

TALK TO SALES

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8 Examples on how XR helps scale military training across domains

lasse.tuominen@varjo.com (Lasse Tuominen, Sales Director APAC, Varjo) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:10:13 GMT

I/ITSEC 2025: What defense training in XR is starting to look like

Tristan Cotter, Global Head of Defense & Aviation, Varjo — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:06:06 GMT

Live Ranges to Virtual Battlespaces: The Growing Role of XR in NATO Training

nick.williams@varjo.com (Nick Williams) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:13:10 GMT

Why We’re Refreshing the XR-4 Series for Mission-Critical Training

Patrick Wyatt, Chief Product Officer, Varjo — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:50:02 GMT

Introducing Night Mode: Bringing True-to-Life Night Time Conditions to Mixed Reality

Sazan Rexhepi, Senior Product Manager, Varjo — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:56:38 GMT

Why we built Night Mode

A large portion of air operations in the defense sector are carried out at night. Pilots must train for takeoff, complex in-air procedures, and landing in the dark. Military and emergency personnel rehearse missions that begin before dawn or continue long after sunset. Until now, these night time, low-light conditions, have been difficult to replicate in mixed reality. Turning down the lights in a real training facility often introduces unwanted visual noise, grain, or motion artefacts in video pass-through.

Blog

A new format for Varjo Base updates

Rethinking Training for the Drone Era - Varjo HQ Open House

Ensuring Mission Readiness: 6 Must-Haves for a Military VR Headset

High-Security VR for Enterprise: Meeting the Strictest Standards for Professional Use

With the Highest Quality Comes the Highest Security

Security that stands up to real-world operational demands

Secure by design: hardware built for professional environments

Secure manufacturing and supply chain integrity

Xr-4 SERIES CAN BE USED OFFLINE

Secure software with customer control at the core

Trusted by the most demanding organizations

Secure XR without compromise

5 Pioneering Mixed and Virtual Reality (XR and VR) Training Solutions

1. Lufthansa Aviation Training Accelerates Commercial Pilot Training with VR/XR

Watch The Film

2. The Royal Australian Air Force Pioneers VR/XR Military Medical Training

3. How the Slovenian Armed Forces Are Driving Operational Readiness with VR/XR

Watch The Film

4. FORCE Technology Achieves a Thousandfold Cost Reduction in Maritime Training with VR/XR

5. Rheinmetall Scales Battlefield Readiness Through XR Driving Simulation

Want to learn more about using VR and XR for simulator training?

8 Examples on how XR helps scale military training across domains

I/ITSEC 2025: What defense training in XR is starting to look like

Live Ranges to Virtual Battlespaces: The Growing Role of XR in NATO Training

Why We’re Refreshing the XR-4 Series for Mission-Critical Training

Introducing Night Mode: Bringing True-to-Life Night Time Conditions to Mixed Reality

Why we built Night Mode