| MetaVR News | Volume XIII, Issue 2 | October 14, 2009 |
| http://www.metavr.com/ |
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MetaVR creates 3D real-time environments that provide the fidelity of geospecific simulation with game quality graphics and performance. In this issue: |
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27.A |
USAF Air Combat Command Approves |
| The Air Combat Command (ACC) at Langley, VA, recently approved MetaVR's Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) version 5.5 or higher and the Air Force Research Lab's Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training Rehearsal System (JTAC TRS) as systems that can be used by trainees to complete JTAC simulator-based terminal attack control requirements. The ACC issued this approval as a result of the MetaVR software capabilities demonstrated during a recent series of JTAC simulated scenarios orchestrated by networked Air National Guard sites during a simulation summit. With this approval, the training hours JTACs spend using MetaVR software now contribute to approved simulator training credits for terminal attack control requirements. The ANG TACP/ASOC Industry Simulation Summit, hosted by the 182nd Air Support Operations Group and held at the Peoria Air National Guard Base in Peoria, IL, June 22 - 26, 2009, demonstrated simulation training resources with JTAC soldiers in attendance. During the summit, MetaVR's technology was shown as it is used operationally within the Peoria Air National Guard's simulation infrastructure for training JTACs. MetaVR's Afghanistan terrain was featured as part of the event; it was streamed as real-time video to an actual ROVER portable video display device. The simulated threats and the streamed video from the UAV camera payload operator were provided by the Iowa Air National Guard Distributed Training Operations Center (DTOC) for Distributed Mission Operations. The Industry Simulation Summit was an opportunity for vendors to share their latest JTAC simulation technology with actual users. As well, it was an opportunity for the Air National Guard to show its internally developed JTAC simulation lab, which is routinely used for simulated JTAC missions. |
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27.B |
Air National Guard Develops |
| Air National Guard JTACs recently developed their own desktop close air support training simulator in which soldiers use MetaVR VRSG in a first person shooter mode with a gamepad as the navigation device. Working in the JTAC mode of VRSG's First Person Simulator (FPS) a trainee sees targeting and designating symbology similar to what the operator would see in a range finder or laser designator. Collaborating with other players in a simulated exercise while using the MetaVR software's game-like interface, a JTAC trainee at the desktop can simulate walking and using binoculars and designator devices, while interacting and communicating with others such as a pilot via a simulated radio over the network. The JTAC trainee views a UAV feed through a ROVER, while locating common reference points for carrying out a mission and laser designating a target. The EG 0601.1 and MISB 0104.5 metadata encoding in the VRSG video stream stimulates the fielded ROVER hardware as if it was receiving telemetry from a real ISR asset such as a UAV. Trainees can call out target coordinates through a voice interface on a simulated radio over the network. VRSG also transmits a laser designator protocol data unit in DIS format, which can be read by other simulators on the network, to simulate a digital hand-off of coordinates. The service-developed Air National Guard JTAC simulator was demonstrated in June at the Simulation Summit (described in item #27.A); it helped provide the basis for the recent approval by the ACC to allow MetaVR software to be used for simulated JTAC training. Using subject matter experts, the DTOC develops and maintains a series of training scenarios that create simulated threats on the network for the Air National Guard sites. It also creates a Multiple Unified Simulation Environment/Air Force Synthetic Environment for Reconnaissance and Surveillance (MUSE/AFSERS) simulated UAV camera video feed that the Air National Guard uses to jointly simulate a close air support mission on geospecific terrain that correlates across both facilities' simulation applications. The JTAC simulations are fully interoperable with the A-10 Full Mission Trainers, F-16 Air National Guard simulators, the MUSE/AFSERS program, Army National Guard TUAV trainers, as well as others. JTAC and UAV operators are currently training on MetaVR's Afghanistan database, which is available to MetaVR customers on active software maintenance using VRSG version 5.5 or later. |
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27.C |
Continued MetaVR VRSG Sales |
| A series of recent sales into the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) market has resulted in a total of 260 VRSG 3D visualization software licenses purchased in 2009 for mimicking the camera payload on UASs. MetaVR is the largest supplier of embedded training systems for US Army unmanned aircraft. Recently, MetaVR delivered 158 new VRSG licenses and 67 maintenance renewals to upgrade to VRSG version 5.5 to support the MUSE/AFSERS simulation program. The MUSE/ASFERS system is the primary UAS training system used within the Department of Defense (DoD) for command- and staff-level training for the Joint Services. MetaVR continues to be the largest supplier of visual systems for the MUSE program. Between late 2008 and June 2009, AAI Corp. purchased from MetaVR 75 new VRSG licenses and 84 maintenance renewals, for its Shadow Training Aids, Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (TADSS) desktop training suite. Another 12 licenses have been provided for fielding in AAI's One System ground control station (OSGCS). This sale follows the 328 MetaVR VRSG licenses that AAI has purchased since 2002 to support their embedded Hunter, Shadow TUAS, Aerosonde, and Warrior Extended-Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) UASs, which are used by U.S. Army and Army National Guard units. AAI uses VRSG to provide the embedded 3D synthetic payload visualization system for training UAS operators on ground control stations (GCS). Insitu, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, recently purchased 15 new VRSG licenses. This brings the total to 27 VRSG licenses Insitu has purchased for simulated training on one of its UASs. |
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27.D |
MetaVR is Lead Sponsor of |
| MetaVR is the lead sponsor of the annual Close Air Support (CAS) Conference and Exhibition, which will be held October 28 - 29, 2009, at the Royal Aeronautical Society, Mayfair, London. At the event, MetaVR representatives will be on hand to discuss technology related to CAS and JTAC simulation training. MetaVR VRSG will also be featured in the presentation "JTAC TRS Training Research Program: Past, Present and Future" given by Jonathan M. Neterer, LT, USAF, JTAC TRS Program Manager at Mesa Air Force Research Labs, Mesa, AZ. |
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