Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

MT2 2010 Volume: 15 Issue: 1 (February)

 

Sundog Software, a developer of computer graphics middleware for rendering the sky and 3-D clouds, has partnered with Emergent Game Technologies, a provider of game development services and tools. An integration of Sundog’s SilverLining SDK with Emergent’s Gamebryo LightSpeed is available, and brings physically realistic skies, clouds, lighting, and precipitation effects to licensed users of LightSpeed.

SilverLining allows game and visual simulation developers to specify any time, location, and weather conditions they wish, and produces matching skies, clouds, and weather effects within their application automatically. SilverLining also generates realistic natural lighting for outdoor scenes, by simulating the scattering of sunlight and moonlight through the atmosphere. LightSpeed delivers the only professional technology for startto- finish multi-genre/ multi-platform game development.

Frank Kane, owner of Sundog Software, told MT2, “partnering with Emergent creates a way to use SilverLining’s physically-based outdoor lighting, ephemeris model, sky rendering, and volumetric clouds within the same framework used to create some of the topselling video games on the market.”

Frank Kane: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

C-27J JCA Training Center Opens

The C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) team is led by L-3 Communications’ Integrated Systems, Finmeccanica’s Alenia North America and Global Mobility Aircraft Systems (GMAS). The industry team has opened a new training center for the aircraft at Robbins Air Force Base.

The C-27A JCA team transitioned its schoolhouse training operations from an interim site in Waco, Texas. Initial pilot and loadmaster training was conducted by GMAS and L-3 Link Simulation and Training. “The new C-27J JCA schoolhouse facility includes space for classroom instruction, a full-fidelity operational flight trainer and a fuselage trainer (FuT). The FuT will be ready for training this July, while the flight trainer is scheduled for installation in 2011,” read a statement provided to MT2.

Lance Martin: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Partnering Agreement Announced

Lockheed Martin and Microsoft Corp. entered into an intellectual property licensing agreement that allows Lockheed Martin to further develop the Microsoft ESP PC-based visual simulation software platform to better train warfighters for battle. The agreement provides Lockheed Martin with access to the ESP technology portfolio, enabling the company to build cost-effective simulation solutions for customized training for its worldwide customers. Lockheed Martin’s software development teams will extend the current capabilities of ESP to enable a whole new suite of innovative ESP-based solutions that will evolve beyond flight training to include ground and civil agency applications.

Martile Allen: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Higher Fidelity Targets for Live-Fire Training

Marathon Robotics’ Rover free-ranging robotic target system for live-fire training has caught the eye of the U.S. DoD. The robotic device is based upon the two-wheeled, self-balanced, electric Segway.

The company’s Rover system was originally developed for Australian defense forces. With the Rover, Marathon Robotics met the Australian defense customer’s requirement “for a realistic moving target in a way that no other target could. We successfully did this for a number of years,” Alex Brooks, Ph.D., company chief executive officer, told MT2.

The Rover was recently selected to participate in the evaluation phase of the U.S. DoD’s Foreign Comparative Test program. The U.S. Marines and the other services will see a device whose maximum speed is 7.8 miles per hour. “We designed it for flat terrain—for the MOUT environment. You can move this in and out of buildings, behind cover, and in other ways you can’t move a joystick-operated device,” added Brooks.

As these are autonomous vehicles, one operator may conceptually operate a fleet of robots in a MOUT environment. “Eight is the standard system, but it’s software controlled. You can scale it up,” he concluded.

Alexei Makarenko:
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New Products Will Enhance Delivery of Models and Training Scenarios

Presagis released its Presagis Worldwide Database (WWDB) and the Presagis Utilities Manager. These new products, along with recent major releases, are part of the company’s vision, Aeria, to deliver a unified suite of COTS software and technical services to help organizations more quickly and efficiently deliver highly complex, data-rich models and training scenarios.

The WWDB from Presagis is a synthetic global database based on the common database standard that allows developers to seamlessly add and refine geographic zones of anywhere in the world. With the Utilities Manager, users can easily manage multiple software applications and databases, helping to streamline the process of creating and running complex distributed simulations. These new tools follow other major product releases from the company, including STAGE 6.0, Vega Prime 3.0, Terra Vista 6.0 and Creator 4.0. All of these releases support the Aeria vision and feature deep cross-product interoperability.

Nick Giannias, vice president, Research and Technology at Presagis, pointed out that with the Presagis Utilities Manager, “users can automate the setup, configuration, administration and troubleshooting of multiple tools across an application. This has been shown to help users reduce system configuration time by as much as 75 percent. Leveraging the Utilities Manager, users can also get help monitoring and managing the application to ensure it is up and running as efficiently as possible.”

Tracey Ades: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NGRAIN Opens Virginia Office

NGRAIN is opening an office in Richmond, Va. The office will support the company’s local and broader East Coast expanding business base. Troy Welch, the office’s director, told MT2 that the office will support the company’s larger business plan. “NGRAIN is currently focused on serving the defense, aerospace, energy, and medical simulation markets. NGRAIN’s technology is well-suited for a broad range of organizations that are looking to improve training, maintenance, and installation processes related to equipment. We’re looking forward to expanding our offerings for new sectors in the future.”

Troy Welch: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Boost for Missile Defense Training
 
U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) conducted a proof of concept test of the All Things Missile (ATM) program last December at the JFCOM test lab in Suffolk, Va.

ATM is an ongoing initiative to provide a joint training environment for all aspects of missile defense by bridging gaps between systems used by military and government agencies.

The test demonstrated how separate systems can be integrated to ensure all participants in missile defense can train on a compatible platform in robust, real-world scenarios.

“Right now we have to synchronize a number of elements because they don’t talk to each other,” said Patrick McVay, director, Joint Exercises and Training Directorate at USSTRATCOM. “We have identified a need for more dynamic training capability in our training exercises, such as more flexibility and an ability to stimulate our display systems.”

Eric Seeland, head of the Joint and Sustainment Training office at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the Navy is fully on board with the ATM concept and is working with joint partners to create strong defenses against ballistic missile threats. One integral part of that effort is the Navy’s Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) program, which uses live, virtual and constructive elements to create a shared virtual training environment. FST leverages operational and technical elements of USJFCOM’s Joint National Training Capability.

The ATM effort aims to make training more effective and efficient. By using existing networks and technologies put together in a new way, ATM connects numerous partners at various levels. “Eventually we hope to be able to go from the decision makers—the president and the Joint Chiefs—all the way down to the shooters,” McVay said. “We will make training scalable and flexible enough that we could address a major policy shift if necessary.” The partnership between USJFCOM, USSTRATCOM, the Navy and other services will be integral to the effort’s success.

Ted Brown: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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