Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MT2 2010 Volume: 15 Issue: 4 (July)
VR-The World Server Launched
VT MÄK (MÄK) announced the launch of VR-TheWorld Server, a new streaming terrain solution. This new solution supports a “virtual globe” approach, where simulation and visualization applications stream terrain directly from a server as users move about the world. It brings a direct-from-source, Web services-based approach to delivery of terrain data, bypassing the often time-consuming task of terrain database generation. The server was developed in conjunction with Pelican Mapping.
Users can deploy VR-TheWorld Server in their facilities on private, secure networks to provide streaming terrain data to simulation and visualization applications behind a firewall. VR-TheWorld Server can be easily populated with users’ custom data through a Web-based interface or MÄK can provide data to meet project specific requirements.
To allow customers to experience the streaming terrain concept, MÄK is also offering an online service called VR-TheWorld Online—an instance of VR-TheWorld Server hosted in the cloud. VR-TheWorld Online delivers a global base map and a representative set of high-resolution areas. Users just point their client applications at VR-TheWorld. com, and their 3-D world is automatically filled with elevation data and imagery for any area of the globe as they fly through the world.
VR-TheWorld Server and VR-TheWorld Online work out of the box with MÄK’s VR-Forces and VR-Vantage applications.
Mischa St. Amand, MÄK spokesperson, described one representative use case for the new products. “If you had a high-fidelity simulator and you used VR-Forces to generate targets, you could use the threat simulator with VR-The World, and then you would have the higher end, more detailed database for the actual high-fidelity simulator.”
Dan Brockway: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Advanced Urban Target System Introduced
Tech Valley Technologies (TVT) has unveiled its advanced Urban Target System (UTS) technology. As the need for more realistic training practices becomes necessary, TVT responded “with the most sophisticated incorporation of the realtime stress of an enemy response to fire, ultimately preparing our soldiers for actual warfare scenarios,” said a company statement.
The UTS target system is a programmable, contactbased target scoring system that electronically provides the location of hit on a target when using nonlethal munitions such as Simunition FX, Airsoft and paintball. UTS also features:
- The ability to program target behavior commensurate with engagement results;
- Drop-down menus with multiple preprogrammed kill zones allow for easy programming of individual targets;
- Shoot-back device fires rubber bullets if required engagement parameter is not met; and
- Set level of target difficulty to meet level of training—“crawl, walk or run.”
Bruce Hodge, president, TVT, further described the fidelity of the UTS. “As you can see in the UTS GUI Showing Shot Location image [in accompanying photo], each round is displayed in real-time as the shooter shoots.”
Barbara Hodge: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Partnering Agreement to Advance Communications Models in Simulations
Presagis announced a partnership and reseller agreement with Scalable Network Technologies (SNT). This agreement creates an out-of-the-box solution for highly complex simulations requiring wired and wireless network effects. Users of Presagis STAGE software will be able to take advantage of SNT’s cutting-edge communication models in simulated scenarios, adding the rigors and uncertainties of in-field communications like urban environment effects, message delays or drops, signal jamming and sophisticated cyberattacks.
Eric Simon, senior director, Product Segment Lead, Simulation, at Presagis, told MT2 that as the combat environment becomes more distributed, today’s warfighter depends more on information delivered to them in the field through communication links that enable them to make time sensitive decisions. He added, “The importance of providing realistic training involving receipt and management of this intelligence data is therefore critical to preparing for battle. The ability to accurately replicate battlefield communications and exchange of information capability in simulated, distributed exercises involving multi-domain units and complex chains of command is a challenge. The Presagis and Scalable Network Technologies partnership is aimed at addressing this issue and providing Presagis and SNT customers with a version of SNT’s QUALNET that works with Preagis STAGE and that will allow them to emulate real-life communication scenarios within STAGE (including time delays, network attacks, signal attenuations, communication perturbations and network constraints).”
Sebastien Loze: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
MetaVR Enhances New Vermont ANG F-16 Mission Training Center Readiness
The Vermont Air National Guard (ANG) opened its new F-16 mission training center this June. The ANG has acquired over 90 MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) licenses to use in their four-ship F-16C training simulators at the facility. MetaVR has also built and delivered to the Vermont Air National Guard 3-D terrain of the ANG base facilities and airfield at the Burlington International Airport.
A training audience of up to 10 personnel may conduct scenarios on a local area network or through the ANG Distributed Training Operations Center.
One of the training system’s many features that caught our attention was the database. The 6-geocell, Metadesic-formatted 3-D terrain, built with MetaVR’s Terrain Tools for ArcGIS 9 is comprised of 47 GB of data of Vermont and upstate New York, with 60-meters post spacing, 1-meter imagery with a 0.5-meter imagery inset of the Vermont ANG airfield and base facilities. The Vermont ANG uses the terrain for F-16C simulation-based training. MetaVR teamed with lead integrator ISTS.
W. Garth Smith: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
JATS Supports Advanced Airborne School
Immersion Media, a Fayetteville based company, developed the Jumpmaster Animated Training System (JATS), a motion capture video training` that will be used for the Jumpmaster Course conducted at the Advanced Airborne School at Fort Bragg.
Rick Perko, president, Immersion Media, told MT2 that he learned the standard failure rate for the Jumpmaster course was almost 50 percent and saw a fit for his company’s technology. “Immersion Media partnered up with the instructors at the Fort Bragg Advanced Airborne School to identify which areas of the course students struggled with the most. The JATS software includes sections on 3-D animated real-time Jumpmaster Personnel Inspection (JMPI), actual JMPI test simulation and interactive Jumpmaster terminology. The goal is to increase the number of graduates with the use of this training engagement software.”
Once proved successful, the training program will be administered to other airborne schools.
Rick Perko: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bohemia Interactive Simulations Opens Orlando Office
The parent company Bohemia Interactive Simulations Group has established its U.S. entity, Bohemia Interactive Simulations Inc. (BI). BI’s home offices are in Orlando.
BI expects to have 15 developers, in addition to a number of home-office support staff, as part of its team by the end of 2010, John Givens, company president, told MT2.
“One of the reasons we opened the office was because we had widespread questions and an interest across DoD on whether we had a U.S. company. Part of the problem that Bohemia Interactive had before was the distances and the time zones that were spread out [from corporate offices in Australia]. A lot of the military and the U.S. customers just want to deal with somebody here in the U.S.—which is a fact,” pointed out Givens.
BI’s expanding business portfolio includes prime contracts with the JIEDDO (IED3), U.S. Marine Corps (Insurgent Mindset Training) and Canadian forces, and providing subcontract support for the U.S. Army (VBS2 enterprise).
Givens said the new company’s near-term priorities include: continuing to sell their products, supporting its customer base gained through development efforts and training the community.
John Givens: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
EasyBlend Software Enables SAVT Training Systems
Scalable Display Technologies, and partners TJ Inc. and VDC Display Systems, a division of Video Display Corporation, announced the completed installation of Scalable’s EasyBlend software in the first of six VDC visual display training systems being developed for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Supporting Arms Virtual Training (SAVT) program. The state-of-the-art visual system for the SAVT-1 simulator is located at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The system is a trainer that is used to advance the training capability, operational readiness and tactical proficiency of joint terminal attack controllers.
Andrew Jamison, Scalable CEO, told MT2 the EasyBlend software has since been installed in three other systems. When asked about his software’s contribution to SAVT scenarios, he added, “What I can say is that a perfectly seamless display with perfect geometric uniformity is needed, which Scalable is able to deliver.”
Adam Biehler: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it