MetaVR at I/ITSEC 2011

MetaVR exhibited its products and technology in Booth #1249 at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference and Trade Show (I/ITSEC), held November 28 – December 1, 2011, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, USA.

Illustration of MetaVR's 30' x 90' Booth #1249 at I/ITSEC 2011.

MetaVR showcased 3D terrain and features and enhancements in Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG). Demonstrations in the MetaVR booth included:

Aerial refueling simulation: In MetaVR’s booth, QuantaDyn Corporation demonstrated its Micro Boom Operator Simulation System (MicroBOSS) desktop aerial refueling simulator, which uses MetaVR visuals. QuantaDyn recently purchased 31 MetaVR visual systems to use in its production MicroBOSS for training KC-135R boom operators at 22 Air National Guard (ANG) sites.

  
QuantaDyn's MicroBoss in MetaVR's booth. In the image on the left, the operator is networked with the receiver aircraft simulator in AETC's Booth #401 and conducting a DMO refueling exercise.

In collaboration with Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Trainer Development in Booth #401, QuantaDyn demonstrated Distributed Mission Operation (DMO) aerial refueling capabilities using the MicroBoss, AETC’s Multi-Mission Crew Trainer, and generic receiver aircraft training devices via a network connection between the respective booths.

JTAC simulation: MetaVR and two of its business partners, Immersive Display Solutions and Battlespace Simulations, demonstrated JTAC simulation scenarios featuring the JTAC Immersive System, a collaborative effort of the three companies. The system’s 3-meter dome provides 220-degree horizontal FOV and 90-degree vertical FOV in a small form factor, transportable, hemispherical dome display of simulated geospecific real-time 3D terrain. The flexible 6-channel VRSG training system combines the ability to train in an immersive transportable dome with functionality analogous to that currently used in desktop JTAC simulation configurations using VRSG.

The JTAC Immersive System running MetaVR VRSG and MetaVR's geospecific Afghanistan virtual terrain. The JTAC soldier, conducting a demo exercise in the dome, is looking through NVIS OLED Virtual Binoculars.

Using MetaVR visuals and Afghanistan database in the JTAC Immersive System and in a pilot desktop station, demonstrations of Battlespace Simulations' Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE) software featuring 9-Line and Call-for-Fire scenarios were featured. The demos inside the dome included JTAC training devices such as the NVIS OLED Virtual Binoculars with InterSense's IC2 inertia tracking cube, and a Netbook acting like a ROVER device displaying VRSG's simulated decoded video of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) camera payload of the Afghanistan terrain.

Elements from this system are being fielded as an interim solution to the JTC TRS program. Recently Kirtland Air Force Base, which has used MetaVR visuals in JTAC training DMO exercises since 1997, received 17 additional VRSG licenses for use in its JTAC-TACP/Operational Simulation Suite (J-T/OSS) systems which will be installed at several Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) sites. Currently MetaVR VRSG is used in JTAC training at 30 ASOS and Air Support Operations (ASOG) sites.

Afghanistan 3D terrain: Demonstrations included several real-time scenarios on MetaVR’s Afghanistan 3D terrain which covers the entire country at 647,500 sq. km with 2.5 meter-per-pixel (mpp) resolution satellite imagery in MetaVR’s Metadesic format. The terrain contains 0.50 mpp imagery for the greater Kandahar area including the Kandahar Airport and surrounding cities. The scenarios are centered on a high-resolution (0.60 mpp imagery) modeled Afghan village based on Khairabad located in the southern part of the Kabul province, and include a high-speed fixed-wing flight and low-level UAV reconnaissance, ground combat simulations such as IED detection, insurgent activity in a tunnel network, snipers, and forward air controller or JTAC missions.

BSI's MACE, which uses MetaVR 3D visuals and for this demo is running MetaVR's Afghanistan virtual terrain. In this case MetaVR VRSG provides the simulated UAV camera payload scene shown on the left. On the right is the MACE Entity Controls pane, which is running a scenario and sending DIS PDUs to the VRSG channel.

New 1 mpp resolution geospecific 3D terrain of North America: MetaVR’s new North America terrain in its Metadesic round-earth format, features 1 mpp natural color imagery from the Simulator Database Facility (SDBF) at Kirtland Air Force Base, distributed for US government simulation training only, has high-resolution imagery ranging from 0.24 to 0.50 mpp for several urban areas and most US military installations. Demos included F-16 takeoff, flight, and landing sequences over new high-resolution areas built up with cultural content such as the Nellis Air Force Base virtual terrain (with 0.30 mpp imagery resolution, full airfield with runway model with lights, 163 geospecific buildings and structures around the airfield, an assortment of trees, street lights, poles, and cultural lights), Ft. Worth Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base/Carswell Field (with 0.30 mpp imagery resolution, full airfield with a runway model, markers, and lights, 342 buildings and other structures around the airfield, plus an assortment of signs and street lights), and Homestead Air Reserve Base (with 0.30 mpp imagery resolution, full airfield with a runway model, markers, and lights, 107 geotypical buildings other structures around the airfield, an assortment of signs, street lights, and trees). Other demos included F-16 flight sequences over Luke Air Force Base virtual terrain which includes 0.10 mpp imagery of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, and simulated weather conditions during F-16 takeoff, flight, and landing sequences on MetaVR’s virtual terrain of Vermont and upstate New York. Many of these high-resolution areas with cultural content were developed and delivered as part of sales of VRSG licenses to several F-16 training sites around the United States. For example, this summer MetaVR sold 105 new VRSG licenses for use in a US domestic F-16 simulator program. These licenses will be used for five F-16 full mission simulators. As part of the delivery MetaVR provided the customer the North America 3D terrain that will be demonstrated.

  
On the left: inspecting a terrain tile in MetaVR's Model Viewer; on the right: looking at a forested section of MetaVR's new 1-meter resolution North America terrain.

VRSG’s IR support: Demo in a 24 hour physics-based diurnal cycle on the company’s Afghanistan 3D terrain.

Features in development: Preview of a new VRSG scenario-creation and editing tool in development and a new model conversion utility that converts models from the popular FBX format into MetaVR’s model format for visualizing in VRSG. Both features will be available in a forthcoming release of VRSG.

Large number of new military vehicle entity models: In its booth, MetaVR hosted EdgedSign, MetaVR’s preferred provider of military models. Edgedsign has built over 100 new military models for MetaVR’s military vehicle 3D model library since the release of VRSG version 5.7 in May; many were featured in the demonstrations. MetaVR’s military vehicle model library is now comprised of over 1,000 models.

  
On the left: watching a convoy scenario on MetaVR's Afghanistan terrain in VRSG's IR mode; on the right: inspecting the details of a military model in MetaVR's Model Viewer.

Many of MetaVR's database demonstrations contained 3D character animations and substantial cultural feature assets from MetaVR's 3D content libraries. MetaVR also demonstrated MetaVR Terrain Tools for ESRI ArcGIS, which enables users to turn their geospatial data into real-time 3D terrain from within their GIS software. The latest release features support for cut-and-fill linear and areal features, as well as a browser-based distributed terrain-build management system.

  
On the left: BSI MACE at the top with 2D map view used for planning waypoints. The monitor in the center is VRSG rendering MetaVR's Afghanistan terrain and running PDUs produced by MetaVR's forthcoming new Scenario Editor. On the right: BSI MACE, 2D view with Entity Controls pane. Again, the monitor in the center is VRSG rendering MetaVR's Afghanistan terrain and running PDUs produced by MetaVR's forthcoming new Scenario Editor.

MetaVR technology was also demonstrated by other exhibitors at I/ITSEC:

AAI demonstrated in Booth #2401 its T25 Simulator for Electronic Combat Training (SECT) system, which uses VRSG visuals. AAI will also feature VRSG in its embedded Shadow Crew Trainer (SCT) mobile classroom in Oshkosh’s Booth #781.

  
On the left: AAI's T25 SECT. On the right: Zedasoft's reconfigurable F-16 simulator dome system.

Air Education and Training Command (AETC) 902nd MSG/TD demonstrated in Booth #401 the ANG’s new C-130 Multi-Mission Crew Trainer (MMCT). The MMCT provides enhanced capabilities to support pilot and co-pilot training in a full range of flight modes, incorporating multiple navigation systems and the ability to conduct in-flight air refueling missions via Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) training profiles. The trainer uses a single VRSG channel to display the out-the-window scene on three 70" LED displays. The Air National Guard, Trainer Development, MetaVR, and QuantaDyn demonstrated live DMO aerial refueling operations, both co-located in Booth #401 and remotely by multiple connected devices and operators. The MicroBOSS operated as the boom pod of a KC-135, with the MMCT as C-130H2 receiver. A distributed aerial refueling trainer operated as any of the MicroBOSS fighter and attack receiver models. The demonstration, which featured MetaVR’s North America terrain, included multi-receiver formations operating quick-flow maneuvers with each VRSG entity operating as an actual device – an MMCT and/or a combination of two refueling trainers. In addition, the MicroBOSS located in MetaVR’s booth (described above) demonstrated the remote DMO capability of the devices. An additional stealth viewpoint was provided on a 55" touch screen monitor, allowing the viewing public to move around the VRSG scene through intuitive interaction with the display.

  
On the left: QuantaDyn's MicroBoss in AETC's booth. On the right: the ANG’s new C-130 Multi-Mission Crew Trainer in AETC's booth.

Christie Digital Systems conducted in Booth #2049 a side-by-side demonstration of 60 Hz and 120 Hz projected VRSG scenes on MetaVR’s Vermont terrain, illustrating the accuracy and clarity of increased display update rates. Higher update rates, such as the 120 Hz in the demo, offer sharper images with reduced motion artifacts. The display was powered by two dual-input Christie Matrix StIM LED projectors.

Cubic Defense Applications gave demonstrations in Booth #2348 of its new Immersive Training Environment (ITE), integrated with its Mission Rehearsal Planning System (MRPS). This simulator, which uses MetaVR visuals, provides a 360-degree virtual training experience within a portable dome, applying advanced virtual, constructive and gaming technologies, replicating any terrain and preparing squads for most contingencies.

Northrop Grumman demonstrated in Booth #2435 air-to-ground and ground-to-air combat on two displays running their BIGTAC computer generated forces system, which uses MetaVR visuals.

  
On the left: SRI's booth, with the monitor displaying terrain in VRSG used for visualizing XCTC training exercises in real-time and a 3D replica of the GPS instrumentation trainees carry in backpacks during XCTC exercises. On the right: simulation of receiver aircraft during a networked refueling exercise in AETC's booth.

SRI showed in Booth #3007 excerpts from the After Action Reviews (AARs) of this year’s field deployments for Army National Guard's XCTC program, and U.S. Army Reserve Command Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX). These programs use MetaVR visuals to monitor the live movements of soldiers in tactical exercises in its large-scale, portable pre-deployment battlefield training system, and in the system’s AAR capability.

Zedasoft demonstrated in Booth #1973 a single-dome replica of the dual-dome reconfigurable F-16 simulator system they recently delivered to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (LM Aero) Advanced Development Programs (ADP) group in support of the Automatic Collision Avoidance Technology (ACAT) Fighter Risk Reduction Program (FRRP). The portable dual dome system uses MetaVR VRSG to render the dome visual scene content. ZedaSoft’s demos included flight paths over the Southwest USA area of MetaVR’s new 1-meter North America terrain with its high-resolution areas with built-up culture for Nellis AFB, Ft. Worth Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, and Luke AFB.