The Evolution of NTC

The National Training Center (NTC) is one of the most frequently modeled terrain databases for simulation as it is used heavily by the U.S. armed forces for live training. The virtual world representations of NTC are intended to be used for simulators that enable soldiers to train in the virtual NTC when not engaged in live training. In the following images, we show the evolution of the virtual world fidelity of NTC by focusing on the prominent Bicycle Lake landmark. All of these images are actual screen captures from the MetaVR™ Virtual Reality Scene Generator™ (VRSG™) visualization software using chronologically progressive versions of NTC terrain databases. Other vendors representation of the same NTC data may vary in quality to a greater or lesser degree from that depicted here.

	Bicycle Lake as viewed from the original NTC database created from SIMNET data.

	Bicycle Lake as viewed from the Primary 2 CCTT terrain database.

	Bicycle Lake area as viewed from the MetaVR NTC terrain database.

The MetaVR NTC virtual world terrain database, was built using DTED Level-2 elevation data and has user-defined levels of detail for both terrain geometry and geospecific textures. This 60 x 60 km terrain database is comprised of 3 GB of 2-meter geospecific imagery and includes geo-specific cultural features. The table below compares the elevation posts and source imagery for the various versions of NTC visual terrain databases.

The cut-and-fill road network geometry that was inserted into the terrain skin precisely follows the road networks visible in the aerial imagery. Road and runway textures were user-selected to represent the appropriate surfaces. The MetaVR NTC terrain database is being delivered to the US Army without redistribution licensing fees.

MetaVR's NTC terrain database is available free of charge to all US Government agencies and contractors (for official use only) and requires version 5.5 of VRSG.