When Simulation Meets Physiology: Adaptive Resilience for Mission-Critical XR in Fast-Jet Training

Extended Reality (XR) technologies are increasingly explored for training in safety-critical domains. However, many XR design paradigms implicitly assume that seamlessness, immersion, and automation are inherently beneficial. This assumption is not necessarily applicable in high-stakes training contexts where simulated environments intersect with physiological limits. This paper examines fast-jet pilot training as an extreme but revealing case of mission-critical XR. We show how inadequate physiological sensing, opaque adaptation, or misleading feedback can silently undermine training validity rather than enhance performance. To mitigate these risks, we introduce an adaptive resilience layer for mission-critical XR training systems, prioritizing physiology-aware calibration, transparent uncertainty signaling, conservative adaptation, and situated feedback. These principles are essential for safeguarding the validity, calibrated trust, and human agency under stress. Although illustrated through XR-based g-force training for the Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM), the insights derived from this case extend beyond simulation-based training and are relevant to XR systems that support professionals in both training and live operational contexts.

Recommended citation: Schorlemmer, J., Saad, A., Möller, S. & Voigt-Antons, J.-N. (2026, April). When Simulation Meets Physiology: Adaptive Resilience for Mission-Critical XR in Fast-Jet Training. Paper presented at the workshop XR for Challenging Environments: Enabling Human Performance and Agency under Stress at CHI 2026, Barcelona, Spain.