Polygons & Lumens
(BRS) has been selected by Elbit Systems to provide embedded radar simulators for the T-45 Virtual Mission Training System (VMTS). Boeing previously announced that it has selected Elbit Systems as chief supplier of the Virtual Mission Training System (VMTS), which will integrate realistic radar training into the U.S. Navy’s T-45 training system.
“BRS is proud to have been selected for the VMTS team. VMTS will enable much more versatile and costeffective airborne training than can be achieved with actual radar-equipped aircraft, thereby maximizing the value of each flight hour,” said Thomas Allen, BRS president. The initial contract is anticipated to include 19 aircraft, with options for subsequent orders, he added.
The RSS is well established as a high-fidelity, versatile radar simulation in ground-based trainers throughout the world. It has been fielded in more than 100 flight simulators to date, including the B-52, RC-135W, T-39, MH-60R, SH-60B, E-2C, E-6, JSTARS and many others. The VMTS will take advantage of this mature system to achieve realistic training on the airborne T-45 platform.
Thomas Allen,
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NGRAIN Tapped for USAF Aircrew and Engine Technician Training
NGRAIN will deliver technology solutions to support Air Force aircrew and engine training.
The Air Force will integrate NGRAIN’s customized virtual task trainers into its aircraft maintenance training program to supplement and enhance formal classroom and on-the-job training on aircrew weapons and aircraft engines.
“For the AC-130 aircraft the Virtual Task Trainer will focus on aircrew weapons training. For the EC-135, the Virtual Task Trainer will focus on the F108 engine,” Gabe Batstone, vice president, sales and business development, NGRAIN, told MT2. Batstone provided insight on the rigors of the training his system will support. “For the EC-135 F108 engine, NGRAIN’s virtual task trainer will provide USAF trainees with a full parts breakdown of the integrated drive gearbox and ability to perform interactive borescope inspection of internal engine components. NGRAIN is also creating an operational 3-D model of the EC-135 cockpit to train technicians on its key features, emergency procedures, cockpit setup and engine operation."
NGRAIN will deliver these Virtual Task Trainers (VTTs) in March and April of 2009. “Please note, however, that NGRAIN has delivered Virtual Task Trainers to the USAF in the past, so these are not the first VTTS delivered to USAF,” Batstone elaborated.
Gabe Batstone,
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Christie Matrix StIM Unveiled
Christie has introduced the Christie Matrix StIM. The Christie Matrix StIM is reported to be the first customer-driven, arrayed projection display system with LED illumination that simultaneously renders simulated environments in both the visible and infrared spectrums. Its modular architecture features Christie self-maintenance technology for exceptional stability, scalability and sustainability.
The system includes Christie InfraScene, which “displays scenes in both the visible and infrared spectrum simultaneously upon the screens of a standard trainer,” said the company. David Kanahele, director, simulation solutions, demonstrated for MT2 the system’s potential for night vision training. During one scenario the system used infrared signatures to stimulate night vision goggles.
The Christie Matrix StIM also features Christie ArrayLOC, a technology that automatically adjusts and balances the brightness, color space and black levels of all the projectors in the display in real-time with no additional latency.
Dorina Belu,
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Next-Generation Apache Simulator Takes Shape
Presagis announced that Boeing has selected the Presagis Lyra image generator solution to support the development of the next-generation Apache helicopter simulator (AH-64D) at Boeing’s Mesa, Ariz., facility. Boeing will use Lyra in its new Block III Apache Engineering Development Simulator (EDS), the virtual simulation of the Apache weapon system.
The Army and Boeing began the Apache Block III Modernization Program in June 2005. Powered by Concurrent’s ImaGen visual server running RedHawk real-time Linux operating system, Lyra’s multichannel, outthe- window solution brings enhanced features to the Block III Apache simulator, including realistic rendering of special and environment effects, weather states and rotor effects, as well as entity and large-area terrain management features. Boeing will also deploy the Lyra Sensors image generator, providing the simulator the ability to generate infrared and night vision goggle simulations.
Robert Kopersiewich, vice president, product and program management, Presagis, provided additional insights on Lyra. “Traditionally, if you wanted to fly across a large area, scenes were broken into smaller distances, and during a single flight you would need to stop the simulation, switch the database and reload before continuing the flight. With Lyra from Presagis, complex scenarios can be created that fly through a virtually unlimited area. Lyra pages in new database areas, automatically giving Boeing the ability to fly from Montreal to Paris to Kabul in a single uninterrupted scene.”
He also told MT2 about the image generator’s ability to render realistic environment effects, “Lyra from Presagis uses advanced atmospheric and illumination models to deliver high-fidelity scenes. Using physics-based modeling, Lyra provides developers with the ability to automatically position celestial bodies based on the simulation runtime and realistically depict conditions such as dust clouds, fog or snow. This provides a convincing training environment letting trainees focus on the task at hand by eliminating visual inconsistencies that may cause negative training.”
Tracey Ades,
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VR-Vantage 3-D Visual Solution Announced
VT MAK previewed its new VR-Vantage visual solution at I/ITSEC. The product is built on Open Scene Graph and includes MAK Stealth, the company’s 3-D information station; Vantage IG, a desktop image generator for viewing out-the-window scenes; and the VR-Vantage Toolkit to extend the included visual applications or even build a new application.
VR-Vantage’s terrain agility caught our attention during a demonstration. “This is the ability to load common database standards without you having to take your data and transform it into a standard imposed by our tools,” Warren Katz, chief executive officer explained. VR-Vantage can directly load a variety of industry standard formats. The product also allows users to compose terrain on the fly. “We can also load in geographical information system data directly,” Katz added.
VR-Vantage’s built-in content is initially supported by Boston Dynamics’ DI Guy, IDV’s Speed Tree and Sundog’s Silver Lining. MAK is negotiating with other partners to include more built-in functionality. “Our intent is to provide content so that users don’t have to go acquire that content—our goal is to get people to use simulation and have the visual system not be an obstacle, but to support them,” he concluded.
Dan Brockway,
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iHawk and RedHawk Linux Support AVET Program
The Navy awarded Binghamton Simulator Co. (BSC) a contract for the Aircrew Virtual Environment Trainer (AVET) program. BSC is building the Navy’s first AVET using Concurrent’s iHawk real-time multiprocessor systems powered by RedHawk Linux as the simulation host computer.
A prototype AVET was delivered to the Navy in September 2008. The first functional AVET is scheduled to be delivered to NAS North Island in September 2009.
Gary Beerman, director, product management, Linux and Real-Time Solutions, Concurrent, pointed out that iHawk platforms represent COTS-based technology. “Typically COTS technology offers more flexibility; it also offers the capability of scaling— technology is changing very quickly. The other piece is that you can get it from multiple suppliers,” he added.
Mary Phillips,
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* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff