MetaVR News Volume VII, Issue 2 Sept. 23, 2003 http://www.metavr.com MetaVR makes software that enables you to create and run high resolution photo-realistic 3D virtual worlds on PCs. In This Issue: 13.A - Continued Deployment of A-10 Full Mission Trainers to USAF 13.B - 63 MetaVR Licenses Sold to Multiple UAV Visualization Programs 13.C - Enhanced Ft. Benning MOUT Terrain Database Sale 13.D - 3D Terrain for Unmanned Ground Vehicle Future Combat Systems 13.E - MetaVR's Version 4 3D Model Content 13.F - MetaVR Technology at Simulation Industry Trade Shows ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.A Continued Deployment of A-10 Full Mission Trainers to USAF Recently, the U.S. Air Force purchased three additional MetaVR multi- channel visual systems with streaming terrain database technology for the A-10 full mission trainer (FMT) program to be used in both domestic and overseas U.S. Air Force installations. These latest systems bring the total number of visual systems purchased for this program to 54 channels, fielded at 9 sites. In some installations, the MetaVR multi-channel visual systems replace existing, legacy visuals in A-10 trainers. The other training sites receive completely new A-10 FMT systems. All new and replacement visual systems are delivered with the distributed mission trainer (DMT) model set that is part of the MetaVR VRSG version 4 3D model library. The rackmount PC-based visual systems stream the terrain databases over gigabit Ethernet from a central source, which eliminates the need for large storage capacity on each individual visual computer. The visual systems were delivered with MetaVR VRSG version 4 software, which now contains 128 unique entities in its 3D vehicle model library. The model library includes the distributed mission training (DMT) 3D models as a subset at no additional charge. As part of the version 4 model set, the new A-10 model has all of its control surfaces modeled as well as it refueling port. Conducting air refueling scenarios is now possible by using the A-10 model with its fuel port in conjunction with the KC-135 model with its articulated refueling boom. MetaVR was initially awarded the contract to provide a PC-based image generator to the A-10 Full Mission Trainer in July 2001. The original award consisted of five sites; the first site went online for training in October 2001. The success of this program in terms of performance, reliability, maintainability, and cost resulted in the customer fielding MetaVR visual systems at an additional four sites. MetaVR visual systems are delivered with government-furnished equipment (GFE) terrain databases that entail no cost or licensing fees. The 3D terrain databases are compatible with multiple customer applications of MetaVR technology. http://www.metavr.com/products/vrsg/3Dcontent.html http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/fwa10followup.html http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/fwsa10.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.B 63 MetaVR Licenses Sold to Multiple UAV Visualization Programs Customers purchased 63 new VRSG licenses and 29 version 4 upgrades for four separate UAV simulation programs in the second and third quarters of this year. These programs use MetaVR 3D visualization systems to represent synthetic camera payload views for activities performed by individual operators up to brigade commanders: SRI International purchased 3 VRSG licenses for support of the California National Guard's Training Experimentation Program (JTEP). The Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Laboratory (JTC/SIL) of Redstone Arsenal purchased 19 VRSG licenses, 23 version 4 VRSG upgrades, and 2 WorldPerfect upgrade licenses for their MUSE program Ground Control Station (GCS) camera payload simulations. AAI Corporation purchased 20 VRSG licenses for its Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) Ground Control Station (GCS) embedded training system. The Digital Battle Staff Training (DBST) product program, managed by Aegis, purchased 21 VRSG licenses and 3 upgrade licenses. DBST enables Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS) to interface with training simulations in major brigade Command Post Exercises (CPX) in a staff exercise environment. http://www.sri.com http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20030801S0014 http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/TUAV.html http://www.aegistg.com/whatsnew/PR-AEgis-DBST.pdf ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.C Enhanced Ft. Benning MOUT Terrain Database Sale MetaVR recently delivered an augmented version of the venerable virtual Ft. Benning Georgia, McKenna 2 X 2 km geotypical urban warfare site to the McKenna Urban Operations Site. The McKenna terrain database is used to train infantry for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) and for Close Air Support (CAS) combined services exercises. The new 30 x 40 km terrain database uses 0.5 meter resolution color aerial photography with 30 meter elevation data of the Ft. Benning area to replace the geotypical textures used on the original McKenna terrain. The extended McKenna terrain database was built using a MetaVR WorldPerfect rapid terrain database generation system. The building models (with full interiors) from the original McKenna MOUT site were geo-located to the new terrain database by using the original MultiGen OpenFlight format models. Volumetric trees were geo-located on the terrain to coincide with the imagery. A key component of realistic urban warfare infantry training is traversing the avenues of approach to the town. The greater geographic extents of the MetaVR database and extensive tree lines around the McKenna site provide an environment for training soldiers how to practice tactics for approaching urban centers. The versatility of the enhanced Ft. Benning database was recently demonstrated in a proof-of-concept exercise for live, virtual, and constructive urban CAS with combat identification (ID). The Air Force Research Lab in Mesa, Arizona ran the database in its A-10 FMTs [see 13.A]. Simultaneously, a virtual forward air controller (FAC) was situated within the Ft. Benning virtual terrain simultaneously with a live FAC. The virtual scenes of the MOUT site were nearly identical to the live scene for the live FAC. Visual fidelity was such that the live FAC looking at the real world was able to communicate with the virtual A-10 pilots down to “the small dirt road next to the tree line” level and still have complete correlation. Targets were communicated to the A-10 pilot by the FACs (both live and virtual) and the targets were hit with multiple munitions types. The Litening II sensor pod and Maverick video were perfectly correlated with the out-the-window view and enabled the pilot to identify and attack targets at long ranges with no fratricide. AFRL will have five A-10 sites online that will support Army training on a regular basis by October 2003. With the success of the recent proof of oncept, AFRL’s goals are to establish advocacy for continued training with more efficient connectivity, and to make scheduled A-10 CAS training a regular joint Army and Air Force event. The Ft. Benning training facility database was built without the use of any NIMA products. http://www.metavr.com/technology/ftbenning.html http://www.metavr.com/worldperfect_workstation.html http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=114 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.D 3D Terrain for Unmanned Ground Vehicle Future Combat Systems MetaVR has recently built an operational visual database using 0.3 meter geospecific color aerial photography imagery and 1 meter elevation data for a US military training facility to support FCS experiments for General Dynamics Land Systems and its partners. The Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) is an important component of Future Combat Systems (FCS). Although its uniqueness offers a tactical advantage, that same uniqueness presents a series of training complexities. How will operators be trained effectively and efficiently? How will a UGV interact with the terrain and its environment? What unique information can the UGV platform provide? How will other systems communicate or control the UGV and its sensors? Distributed mission training using immersive simulation of the UGV is a critical and cost-effective first step to answering these questions. The new MetaVR terrain database will help provide General Dynamics answers to some of these questions while evaluating their manned and unmanned vehicle designs. Ultimately, such high-resolution 3D terrain will be used by FCS vehicle operators for real-time situational awareness generated by embedded commercial- off-the-shelf single-board computer 3D graphics subsystems. The visual database, compiled with MetaVR’s WorldPerfect database generation system, is rendered in an interactive (60Hz) simulator using the MetaVR VRSG image generator to drive the visual display. The simulator provides the realism for both the visual cueing required in navigation training and the terrain relief needed for dynamic physics modeling of the vehicle as it traverses the terrain. This simulator and database combination is a point of departure for the distributed mission experiments envisioned in the FCS training. Because the terrain database encodes real geography to a high degree of accuracy, experiments will be able to mix virtual and live entities, establish positions of friendly and opposing force troops, vehicles, and emplacements, and dynamically update the terrain and environment according to live sensors. On the virtual side, the networked perspective of the experiment provides a 3D environment to facilitate decision-making from unit-level tactics to command-level strategy. UGVs will be training in the same space as UAVs, special operations forces, close-air-support platforms, and ISR assets. This US military training facility database was built without the use of any NIMA products. http://www.metavr.com/products/vrsg/vrsg3dcontent/land_big/UGV-gen.jpg http://www.metavr.com/technology/terrain-ugv-fcs.html http://www.metavr.com/worldperfect_workstation.html http://www.metavr.com/products/vrsg/vrsgoverview.html http://www.metavr.com/technology/thresholdterrainreqs.html http://www.gdls.com/images/robotics_HR.jpg http://www.gdls.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.E MetaVR’s Version 4 3D Model Content Version 4 of MetaVR’s WorldPerfect and VRSG products are shipping with new and extensive 3D content libraries. In the first few months of the release, the content for both products more than doubled as we continue to add new content to the libraries. WorldPerfect version 4 is now delivered with a library of over 300 models of buildings and other structures, 66 models of trees, bushes, and plants, and a selection of street elements. All models are in our new HPX 3D model format. Many were textured using photo textures from the CD photo texture library CDs that are included as part of the WorldPerfect package. Version 4 of MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) includes over 128 3D real-time entity models. The models are constructed from high-resolution photographs of actual vehicles and feature highly detailed geometry, multiple levels of detail, thermal signatures, damaged states, articulated parts, and at least three paint schemes. MetaVR licenses these models, which were developed jointly with RealDB Inc. All entity models are in our new HPX model format and are MetaVR IRserver-ready to support real-time, physics-based thermal sensor viewing within VRSG. http://www.metavr.com/products/worldperfect/wp3Dcontent.html http://www.metavr.com/products/vrsg/3Dcontent.html http://www.realdb.qc.ca/ http://www.metavr.com/products/IRserver.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.F MetaVR Technology at Simulation Industry Trade Shows AAI Corporation, CDL Systems, and The Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Laboratory (JTC/SIL) of Redstone Arsenal, displayed MetaVR technology in their booths at the Association for Unmanned Vehicles International (AUVSI) Unmanned Systems 2003 Symposium & Exhibition that was held July 15-17, 2003, at the Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, Maryland. Lockheed Martin demonstrated an F16 full mission trainer (FMT) simulator using MetaVR's VRSG for the out-the-window visuals in its booth at the 125th National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) General Conference and Exhibition, which was held September 15-17, 2003 at the Convention Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. MetaVR will exhibit its products at the annual I/ITSEC trade show in Booth #1361. The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference and Trade Show will be held December 1-4, 2003, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, USA. http://www.metavr.com/ngaus03.html http://www.metavr.com/auvsi03.html http://www.aaicorp.com http://www.cdlsystems.com http://www.metavr.com/iitsec2003.html http://www.iitsec.org/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous issues of MetaVR News can be found at http://www.metavr.com/aboutus/newsarchive.html. 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