DARWARS DARWARS is a research program intended to accelerate the development and deployment of military training systems . These are envisioned as low - cost , mobile , web - centric , simulation - based , “ lightweight ” systems designed to take advantage of the ubiquitous presence of the PC and of new technology , including multi - player games , virtual worlds , off - the - shelf PC simulations , intelligent agents , and on - line communities . The project started in 2003 . The program is producing an architectural framework , including a set of web services , tools , and system interface definitions that facilitate the development of networked training systems . The scalable framework supports training for individuals , teams , or teams of teams ( involving students at PCs interacting on a virtual battlefield ) . Training systems keep track of student performance in order to offer individual and group feedback . The program envisions an on - line community of students , instructors and developers around the DARWARS family of training systems , although , realistically the creators only hoped to get this kind of training started - not see it to that complete end . Sponsorship . DARWARS is sponsored by the U . S . Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ) and is co - sponsored by U . S . Joint Forces Command ( JFCOM ) and the United States Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems ( PM TRASYS ) . The integration and architecture contractor for the DARWARS project is BBN Technologies . The program is the core DARPA ' s Training Superiority initiative . Exemplar trainers . As part of the DARWARS program , several training systems have been developed as exemplars of what is possible . Some of these systems have been deployed to meet training needs related to current U . S . military efforts . Among these is the DARWARS Ambush ! tactical trainer and the language trainer Tactical IraqiTM . " DARWARS Ambush ! " . " DARWARS Ambush ! " is a PC - based , networked , multiplayer training simulator , or , serious game . It provides military training based on experiences of personnel in the field , and includes capabilities to ensure the capture and dissemination of lessons learned . The initial application involved road - convoy - operations training , while subsequent applications include training for platoon level mounted infantry tactics , dismounted infantry operations , Rules - of - Engagement training , cross - cultural communications training , and other areas . The software was developed by Total Immersion Software , based on the technology of " " . " DARWARS Ambush ! " is generally restricted to U . S . Military and U . S . Government organizations and personnel . The " DARWARS Ambush ! " software is free of charge . The costs of the underlying game engine and networking infrastructure is nominal compared to traditional simulation - training systems . The most important innovation of DARWARS Ambush ! is that it is user - authorable . Soldiers themselves can create new scenarios and training in a few hours or days without a contractor between them and their tactics , techniques and procedures . " Tactical Language & Culture Training System " . Tactical Language & Culture Training System s are PC - based courses that teach foreign languages and cultural knowledge needed to conduct tasks effectively and safely during both daily life and military missions . They are self - paced foreign - language training programs that use numerous research - based pedagogic and technologic innovations — including interactive 3D video game simulations — to teach what to say , how to say it , and when to say it . The courses to learn Iraqi , Pashto , French , and Dari { under development } are available to any member of the U . S . Armed Forces by free download from the company ' s website . Replacement . Game After Ambush , which is based on VBS2 is scheduled to replace DARWARS Ambush ! during 2009 .