Luke AFB Purchases MetaVR Visual Systems to Upgrade F-16 Training Simulators

In summer 2010, Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Glendale, AZ, purchased 53 MetaVR™ Virtual Reality Scene Generator™ (VRSG™) licenses for use in their F-16 full-mission training simulators. MetaVR’s software is fielded on Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS)-based PC image-generators (PC-IG) using the latest game-level 3D graphics cards. These VRSG licenses replaced the Presagis Lyra-based solutions in the four training dome systems for the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) which were installed at the site in 2007 and 2008.

	Real-time VRSG rendering of an F-16C entity approaching the airfield on MetaVR’s virtual Luke AFB.

F-16 Network Training Center

Luke AFB is a major training base of the AETC for providing advanced flight training to fighter pilots. The upgraded F-16 flight cockpit simulators are located at the base’s Network Training Center (NTC) facility. MetaVR visuals are used in four dome-based systems; each contains a full cockpit replica of an actual F-16.

Luke AFB, which is located about 20 miles northwest of Phoenix, is the primary U.S. Air Force training facility for F-16 fighter pilots, who now regularly train to use night-vision goggles. With the installed systems, pilots use real Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) that are stimulated by Christie Digital Systems Matrix StIM projectors. The solid state LED projectors provide simultaneous and independent control over both the visible and near-IR spectrum using LED illumination.

Delivered systems and virtual terrain

For each F-16 cockpit trainer, the VRSG multichannel visual system includes 10 out-the-window (OTW) channels and 2 sensor channels. The systems also include new COTS PC hardware to replace Concurrent PCs.

	Real-time VRSG rendering of four F-16C entities flying over MetaVR's virtual Luke AFB. The F-16 entities are textured with Luke AFB markings and are from MetaVR's 3D content library of military vehicles.

As part of the sale, MetaVR built and delivered high-fidelity geospecific 3D terrain of Luke AFB, to include the airfield and the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR). The terrain is in MetaVR's round-earth Metadesic format from natural color imagery. Imagery of the area of Arizona around Luke AFB is 1-meter resolution, BMGR is 0.50 m and the Luke airfield and its immediate on-base surroundings is .30 m resolution.

	Real-time VRSG rendering of an F-16C entity in flight over a rugged area of the Barry M. Goldwater Range on MetaVR's virtual terrain of Luke AFB and its surrounding area.

The BMGR is one of three tactical ranges in the Luke AFB area, spanning several hundred square kilometers. The range serves the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps as a training area for aerial gunnery, rocketry, electronic warfare, and tactical maneuvering and air support. As well, pilots and JTACs train for strike and close air support missions at BMGR.

	Real-time VRSG rendering of a Tu-95MS entity in flight over the virtual Barry M. Goldwater Range, approaching the East Tactical Range (ETAC) airstrip on MetaVR's virtual terrain of Luke AFB.

MetaVR’s Luke airfield model replaced the Presagis airfield model.

	Real-time VRSG rendering of F-16C entities stored in canopy hangars at the airfield on MetaVR's virtual Luke AFB.

56th training squadron

Luke AFB is the home of the 56th Fighter Wing and the 56th Training Squadron (TRS). The mission of the 56th TRS is to provide academic- and ground-based instruction to support training F-16 pilots and weapons directors. The 56th TRS trains almost one-half of all the Air Force’s new fighter pilots each year. It conducts F-16 academic and device training in accordance with major command formal syllabi including initial instruction, transition courses, senior officer courses, Thunderbird and aggressor pilot instruction, forward air control, night systems and Block 50 specialized conversion courses. The 56th TRS also provides academic, simulator and live mission training for more than 75 upgrading weapons directors annually. All 56th TRS training is conducted across six facilities on Luke and the Papago Park military reservation in central Phoenix. This squadron provides Air Force acceptance and quality control of courseware and manages all aircrew training devices for the 56th Fighter Wing.