VirTra’s High-Tech Gambit: Simulators Take Center Stage at SHOT Show

CHANDLER, AZ – January 13, 2026 – VirTra, Inc., a global provider of judgmental use-of-force training simulators, today announced its upcoming participation in the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The company is set to showcase its full suite of advanced simulation technologies, signaling a major push to reinforce its market leadership at a pivotal moment for both the industry and the company itself.

From January 20-23, attendees at the world’s largest trade event for the shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries will have the opportunity for hands-on demonstrations at VirTra’s Booth #7550. The exhibit will feature the company's flagship V-300 immersive simulator, the newly introduced V-One portable system, and the cutting-edge V-XR extended-reality platform. This strategic presence underscores the growing importance of virtual training solutions in preparing officers for the complexities of modern policing.

A High-Stakes Showcase Amid Market Headwinds

VirTra’s prominent placement at the SHOT Show comes at a critical juncture. The company's recent financial performance has been a mixed narrative, heavily influenced by the unpredictable nature of government funding. Full-year 2024 revenue saw a decline to $26.4 million from $38.8 million the prior year, a downturn the company attributed largely to federal budget delays that slowed bookings and order conversions. This trend continued into 2025, with third-quarter results falling short of analyst expectations, leading to a net loss of $0.4 million and a subsequent dip in its stock price.

Despite these headwinds, the company has built a substantial backlog, which expanded to $22.0 million by the end of 2024, and reported strong Q3 2025 bookings of $8.4 million. This indicates significant pent-up demand for its systems. For VirTra, the 2026 SHOT Show is more than a marketing event; it's a strategic maneuver aimed at converting that growing interest into tangible revenue. By engaging directly with thousands of decision-makers from law enforcement, military, and security agencies, VirTra aims to accelerate its sales cycle and demonstrate the immediate value of its technology, reassuring investors and capitalizing on a market poised for growth as funding streams stabilize.

The Cutting Edge of Virtual Training

At the heart of VirTra's strategy is its integrated ecosystem of simulators, designed to offer scalable and adaptable training solutions. The company is a pioneer in the field, having developed one of the first 300-degree immersive simulators, the V-300. This system places trainees in a wrap-around virtual environment, forcing them to manage threats from all directions and make split-second, life-or-death decisions.

Recognizing that not all agencies can accommodate a large-scale installation, VirTra introduced the V-One portable simulator in 2025. This compact, single-screen system brings high-fidelity training to smaller departments or allows for mobile deployment, democratizing access to top-tier simulation. Rounding out the portfolio is the V-XR, an extended-reality platform that represents the company's investment in next-generation immersion. Enhanced with patented technologies like tetherless recoil kits and the V-Threat-Fire® device, which delivers an electric impulse to simulate return fire, the V-XR aims to create an unparalleled level of realism.

This focus on a comprehensive product line and an extensive library of training content creates a significant barrier to entry for competitors like FAAC and InVeris Training Solutions. While competitors offer robust portfolios, VirTra has carved out a niche by specializing in what it terms “best-in-class de-escalation & judgmental use-of-force simulators,” moving beyond simple marksmanship to the psychological and decision-making challenges of real-world encounters.

Training for Trust in an Era of Scrutiny

The technology on display has implications that extend far beyond the walls of the convention center. In an era of heightened public scrutiny over police conduct, the demand for more effective training in de-escalation and judgmental use of force has never been greater. Advanced simulators provide a safe, controlled, and repeatable environment for officers to practice communication, crisis intervention, and lethal force decision-making without real-world consequences.

Market trends confirm this shift. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly seeking solutions that can objectively measure and improve an officer's performance under stress. VirTra's systems, which can integrate data analytics to track an officer's gaze, response time, and adherence to protocol, directly address this need. By repeatedly exposing officers to nuanced, high-stress scenarios—from dealing with a mentally ill individual to confronting an active shooter—these simulators help build the cognitive skills necessary to de-escalate situations when possible and act decisively when necessary. This push for better, more accountable training is seen by many as a critical component in rebuilding public trust between communities and the law enforcement agencies that serve them.

Global Ambitions and the Road Ahead

VirTra's ambitions are not confined to the domestic market. The company has made significant inroads internationally, securing a $4.8 million multi-site contract for law enforcement training in Colombia and gaining approval for the full deployment of 20 simulators with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The first sale of its advanced V-XR platform into Canada further highlights its growing global footprint. This international expansion provides a vital hedge against the cyclical nature of U.S. federal funding and taps into a worldwide demand for superior training tools.

As CEO John Givens stated in the announcement, “SHOT Show is an important venue for engaging with customers and industry leaders from around the world.” He added that the event “provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how our comprehensive training platforms deliver realistic, judgment-based scenarios that help prepare professionals for high-stakes, real-world situations.”

As VirTra prepares to open its booth at Caesars Forum, the company is showcasing more than just hardware. It is presenting a vision for the future of professional training—one that is more realistic, data-driven, and adaptable to the complex demands of public safety. The live demonstrations in Las Vegas will serve as a crucial test of its ability to persuade a global audience that its virtual solutions are the key to real-world readiness.