Continued Deployment of A-10 Aircrew Training Systems to the United States Air Force

In 2010, the U.S. Air Force renewed software maintenance for 305 MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator™ (VRSG™) licenses for the A-10 Aircrew Training Systems program. The U.S. Air Force has used MetaVR's real-time 3D visualization software since 2001 to equip new and existing sites with networked training systems that train U.S. pilots for close air support missions in conjunction with Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) simulators.

The A-10 Aircrew Training System is defined as a Full Mission Trainer (FMT), a Hand-on-Throttle and Stick Trainer (HOTAS), a Brief/De-Brief System, and their supporting systems and equipment.

	Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) rendering of an A-10C entity flying over MetaVR's virtual Afghanistan, approaching the high-resolution geospecific village. The A-10C entity in the scene represents the A-10C aircraft number 78-0684 of the 354th Fighter Squadron, marked as 354 FS/CC (as the "Bulldogs" commander's jet), 355th Fighter Wing (Air Combat Command), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Aircraft identifying information and subject matter expertise provided by Joachim Jacob of the Warthog News blog.

The A-10 FMT uses MetaVR visuals for the out-the-window and sensor views and consists of a high-fidelity replica of an A-10 aircraft cockpit, an Instructor Operator Station (IOS), a visual system and other equipment that provides trainees initial and ongoing training for flight, mission, and tactics. The HOTAS trainer is an A-10C precision-engagement functionality trainer used for initial A-10C pilot conversion and training.

A-10 Full Mission Trainer cockpit installation for the 103rd Tactical Fighter Group, Bradley Air National Guard Base, Connecticut. Simulator uses MetaVR multi-channel visual systems. Click the image to swap the view of the A-10 cockpit simulator to an out-the-window view.

Fourteen sites have MetaVR-based A-10 FMT simulators: Air Force Research Lab, Mesa AZ, Barksdale AFB, LA, Battlecreek AFB, MI, Bradley AFB, CT, Boise AFB, ID, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, Ft. Smith, AR, Mountain Home AFB, ID, Moody AFB, GA, New Orleans, LA, Osan AFB, Korea, Pope AFB, NC, Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, and Whiteman AFB, MO.

	On the left is a pilot practicing night flying in the A-10 Full Mission Trainer at the 355th Operations Group at Davis Monthan AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla.) On the right is A-10C FMT instructor, searching for a target while rolling into an attack over a virtual Moody AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres.)

The base FMT simulator configuration uses MetaVR VRSG to drive an eight-screen display configured to fit within a nine foot ceiling. This operational configuration is a derivative of the Mobile Modular Display for Advanced Research and Training (M2DART). Other visual channels are used to provide the sensor views, such as for the A-10 Maverick missile and Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP).

DTOC Event Control Center with VRSG running in the display on the right for observing and analyzing CAS missions. Image courtesy of Air National Guard.

The MetaVR visual systems are delivered with government-furnished equipment (GFE) terrain databases that entail no cost or licensing fees available from the Simulator Database Facility (SDBF) at Kirtland Air Force Base. The 3D terrain databases are compatible with multiple customer applications of MetaVR technology such as the Vermont Air National Guard F-16 simulators.

	On the left is MetaVR's real-time simulation of an A-10C flying over virtual Afghanistan. On the right is a photograph by aviation photographer James O'Rear on which the A-10C entity was modeled. The photograph is of an A-10C aircraft number 78-0684 of the 354th Fighter Squadron, marked as 354 FS/CC (as the "Bulldogs" commander's jet), 355th Fighter Wing (Air Combat Command), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Photograph courtesy of James O'Rear.

All MetaVR visual systems were delivered with the latest version of VRSG software, which contains MetaVR's 3D content libraries. The 3D military vehicle library, which contains a significant number of unique entity models, includes the distributed mission training (DMT) 3D model set at no additional charge.