Soldiers train on virtual battlefield

The US military is using video technology to try to prepare its troops for the challenges of the battlefield.

Developers are using 3D filming techniques and the kind of virtual reality technology found in theme park rides to try to recreate the sensation of fighting in hostile terrain.

Teams based at a facility in Virginia create virtual versions of real attacks on US and UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and post the simulations on secure websites.

British Army commanders now want to use the same technology to improve soldiers' chances of surviving IEDs.