VRSG™ Visuals in Fixed-Wing Simulation

www.metavr.com | [email protected] | US 617-739-2667 F-16 TRAINING SYSTEMS

VRSG is used in F-16 simulators at multiple U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserves, and training facilities.

AFRC F-16C aircrew training simulators The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) uses 40 VRSG licenses in two, four-ship AFRC F-16C Block 30 Multi Task Trainers (MTTs) installed at Homestead Air Reserve Base (ARB), FL, and Fort Worth Naval Air Station (NAS) JRB, TX. The F-16C MTT is comprised of a cockpit, an instructor operator station, a 360° field-of-view (FOV) visual display and projection system, VRSG with MetaVR’s high-fidelity geospecific terrain and extensive libraries of 3D content, an electronic warfare (EW) threat server, and a host computer/power equipment cabinet. Each F-16C MTT can be operated as a standalone device or A-10 FMT cockpit installation at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The linked together to provide four-ship training within the facility or simulator uses MetaVR multi-channel visual systems. (Photo courtesy of via ARCNET/DTOC/DMO network in distributed exercises. the US Air Force.) For each site MetaVR built and delivered geospecific terrain of MetaVR® visuals, terrain, and 3D models are used in fixed-wing Homestead ARB and Fort Worth NAS JRB with modeled replicas simulators at multiple U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserves, and of the airfields.

Air National Guard training facilities in the U.S. and abroad. The purpose of the ARFC F-16C MTT program is to provide This brochure briefly describes use of Virtual Reality Scene high-fidelity trainers configured to the latest F-16C Block 30/40 Generator™ (VRSG™) in a selection of programs. aircraft and capable of training AFRC F-16C pilots in mission qualification, continuation, and mission readiness training tasks. Note that VRSG is also used extensively in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training systems, which is covered in the AFRL F-16 simulators brochure VRSG Visuals in UAS Simulation. The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Warfighter Readiness Research Division 711th Human Performance Wing USAF A-10 AIRCREW TRAINING SYSTEM (711HPW/RHA) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base has long

used VRSG in training research simulators. Their 181 VRSG Since 2001, MetaVR has been the primary supplier of 3D real- licenses are in multiple testbed programs in both the U.S. and time visuals for the U.S. Air Force A-10 Full Mission Trainer Europe, ranging from the MQ-1/MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (FMT) used in the A-10 Aircrew Training System. Nearly 400 simulator (PRINCE) to the JTAC Training and Rehearsal System MetaVR VRSG software licenses are used for coordinated close- (JTAC TRS) to F-16 tactical trainers. air-support training missions between pilots and Joint Terminal Air Controllers (JTACs). Among the use of VRSG in F-16 simulators are those used in the Secure Live Virtual Constructive, Advanced Training Environment The A-10 Aircrew Training System is defined as a Full Mission (SLATE) program, which demonstrates an LVC training capability Trainer (FMT), a Hand-on-Throttle and Stick Trainer (HOTAS), that will allow pilots to train like they fight against realistic threats a Brief/De-Brief System, and their supporting systems and by combining synthetic and real-world air combat training in a equipment. The A-10 FMT uses MetaVR visuals for the out- secure, high-fidelity training environment. the-window (OTW) and sensor views and consists of a high- fidelity replica of an A-10 aircraft cockpit, an Instructor Operator For several years, 26 VRSG licenses have been used in the Station (IOS), a visual system and other equipment that provides 711HPW/RHA’s F-16 Experimental Deployable Tactics Trainer trainees initial and ongoing training for flight, mission, and (X-DTT) simulators. The F-16 X-DTTs are deployable, medium tactics. The HOTAS trainer is an A-10C precision-engagement fidelity, in-theater training systems for keeping the warfighter functionality trainer used for initial A-10C pilot conversion and proficient between missions. Each simulator consists of an F-16 training. The base FMT simulator configuration uses VRSG Block 30 aircraft shell with the actual F-16 Operational Flight to drive an eight-screen display configured to fit within a nine Program (OFP) and high-fidelity aircraft stick and throttle. These foot ceiling. Other visual channels are used to provide the simulators provide the essential F-16 cockpit switches on a sensor views, such as for the A-10 Maverick missile and Sniper touch-screen LCD in front of the pilot. Each simulator has six Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). projected views in addition to a sensor view, and can be used as a standalone training tool or networked with other simulators to Ten sites have one or more MetaVR-based A-10 FMT simulators: participate in larger exercises. Baltimore Air National Guard Base (ANGB), MD, Barksdale Air Visual system upgrade for F-16 EPAF simulators Force Base (AFB), LA, Boise ANGB, Gowan Field, ID, Davis- MetaVR was chosen as the image generation supplier for the Monthan AFB, AZ, Ft. Smith ANGB, AR, Ft. Wayne ANGB, IN, 309th SMXG European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) program Moody AFB, GA, Osan AB, Korea, Selfridge ANGB, MI, and to upgrade the visual systems of Belgian and Portuguese F-16 Whiteman AFB, MO. simulators. The upgrade called for up to 40 MetaVR VRSG licenses, and two Terrain Tools licenses. In addition to supplying round-earth terrain of Europe and CONUS++, MetaVR has created and delivered five geospecific terrain insets (10 cm, 20 cm) of areas of interest in Belgium and model two geospecific Belgian airfields (Florennes Air Base, Kleine Brogel Air Base) and Image on the cover: MetaVR VRSG real-time scene of FA-18 entities in the Monte Real Air Base in Portugal. flight over geospecific coastline of Camp Pendleton, CA. The simulators will be integrated into full mission training (FMT) displays with native 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution, for an capability systems used for takeoff/landing, procedural response immersive FOV that renders the OTW virtual environment with training, air-to-air and air-to ground tactical training (including near 20/20 visual acuity. Combat mission-ready pilots train on weapon employment), and in customized pilot scenario training them to maintain proficiency and currency according to the ACC’s configured for use in real-time, immersive environments. Design Operational Capability training.

Luke Air Force Base F-16 full-mission training simulators Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Glendale, AZ, uses 53 MetaVR VRSG licenses in their F-16 full-mission training simulators at the base’s Network Training Center facility. Each of the four dome- based systems contains a full cockpit replica of an actual F-16. For each F-16 cockpit trainer, the VRSG multichannel visual system includes ten OTW channels and two sensor channels. Luke AFB is a major training base of the Air National Guard’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC) for providing advanced flight training to fighter pilots.

As part of the delivery, MetaVR built and delivered high- resolution geospecific 3D terrain of Luke AFB, to include the modeled airfield and the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) with 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot operates an F-16 geolocated 3D models of all range targets. X-DTT simulator at Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Lotz/Released.) F-16 simulators for automatic collision avoidance Using MetaVR visuals, ZedaSoft, Inc. built and delivered a dual- ANG F-16 Block 30 simulators at Lackland Air Force Base, dome reconfigurable F-16 simulator system to Lockheed Martin Tucson Air National Guard Base, and Buckley Air Force Base Advanced Development Programs (ADP) group in support of As part of the Pilot Training Next (PTN) initiative, the U.S. Air the Automatic Collision Avoidance Technology Fighter Risk Force uses two F-16C simulators at Kelly Field, Lackland Air Reduction Project (ACAT/FRRP). The system uses VRSG for Force Base, which include MetaVR VRSG, 3D terrain, and 3D OTW views. The ACAT/FRRP program, with a team that includes models in immersive virtual cockpits for training student pilots. AFRL and NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, develops In addition to use in Pilot Training Next, the simulators are being collision avoidance technologies for fighter/attack aircraft that used extensively in the F-16 Basic Course syllabus. Housed would reduce the risk of ground and mid-air collisions. in a relocatable shelter, the 2-ship simulators use a total of 30 VRSG channels for simulating the out-the-window, embedded HUD, HMD/HMIT, real-time streaming protocol (RTSP) in the FAA SYNTHETIC VISION SIMULATION central display unit (CDU), ground map radar, targeting pod, and The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses 15 VRSG maverick missile displays. licenses in two of its OTW general aviation flight simulators These F-16C Block 30 simulators match the current aircraft to support human factors research related to synthetic vision configuration; they are concurrent with the hardware and systems at the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) software of the actual aircraft F-16C Block 30 System within the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City. Capabilities Upgrade (SCU) 9.0 standard, which is essential The Advanced General Aviation Research simulator (with a for training new student pilots such that the students train in a Piper Malibu configuration) and the Very Light Jet simulator simulator that represents their F-16C Block 30 primary platform. (with a Cessna 510 Citation Mustang configuration) use VRSG For the installation, MetaVR built a high-resolution virtual replica to render virtual airfields in MetaVR’s round-earth terrain format of Kelly Field at Lackland Air Force Base and Greater San to study and test landing on runways with limited human OTW Antonio. vision with the aid of synthetic vision. Synthetic vision research

The of the Air National Guard uses and simulation is focused on reducing approach-and-landing VRSG in two reconfigurable flight simulators at the Tucson Air accidents caused by the pilot’s inability to see the runway in National Guard Base, capable of representing either an F-16C adverse weather conditions. block 30 SCU 9.0 or a block 40 M7.1 actual aircraft. The training devices incorporate a total of 30 channels of VRSG, 3D terrain, and 3D models. Pilots train on the simulators in a configuration identical to the simulators installed at Kelly Field (described above). Included in the delivered round-earth 3D terrain is MetaVR’s virtual replica of Tucson International Airport (KTUS).

In 2019, the of the Colorado Air National Guard took delivery and installation of four F-16C Block 30 simulators with VRSG, at the new mission training center (MTC) at Buckley Air Force Base, CO. These virtual cockpits use 60 VRSG channels to simulate multiple views: out-the-window, embedded HUD, HMD/HMIT, RTSP in the central display unit, ground map radar, targeting pod, and maverick missile displays.

The simulators match the current aircraft configuration standard of F-16C Block 30 System Capabilities Upgrade 9.0 (SCU-9.0), like the ones installed with VRSG at Kelly Field and Tucson Air FAA Cessna Citation Mustang VLJ simulator using MetaVR VRSG, with National Guard Base. The simulators have 8-screen cockpit five projectors and a 225° fixed dome. (Photo courtesy of the FAA.) ANG BOSS AERIAL REFUELING TRAINER The Air National Guard (ANG) Refueling Wing uses 143 VRSG real-time licenses in the KC-135R Boom Operator Simulator System (BOSS) at 17 units. This fully immersive Distributed Mission Operations (DMO)-capable refueling boom operator trainer is a high-fidelity replica of a KC-135R Block 40 boom pod, and has been certified by the U.S. Air Force for boom operator training missions in lieu of actual flight time.

The BOSS environment emulates the actual aircraft boom controls and includes associated operating systems, 4-channel image generation and projection systems, instructor operator station, physics-based tanker and receiver models, threat environment generation station, and ARCNet Gateway. Other Multi-Mission Crew Trainer (MMCT) at the facilities of the Ohio National technologies include head-tracking, voice recognition and Guard, Mansfield, OH. (US Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe synthetic response, and a recording/debriefing capability. The Harwood\Released.) compact size of the BOSS (22’ x 21’) allows it to fit within a The MMCT is a full-scale replica of the C-130 cockpit, populated 27’ x 30’ room with 12’ ceilings. with 18 touch-screen monitors that replicate the controls and The BOSS is intended for squadron-level training to be co- indicators. VRSG provides the simulated OTW and radar views. located with operational KC-135 air refueling wings. The BOSS The MMCT replaces most of the C-130 H2 and H3 cockpit with systems are in use at locations across the US where fully touch-screen panels, and acts as a FAA Level 6 compliant Flight qualified boom operators at the ANG KC-135R flying units use Training Device (FTD) to support cockpit familiarization training, the BOSS for a complete training curriculum: initial qualification, cockpit procedure training, and more. The graphics are animated difference qualification, certification, requalification, mission to function as they do in the aircraft, with all switches, knobs, certification, and instructor upgrade training, and meet Aerial and other controls configurable via touch input. This makes Refueling Airplane Simulator Qualification (ARASQ) standards. the platform easily reconfigurable and reduces hardware costs Mission-rehearsal DMO training is through the ANG Distributed significantly across the lifecycle of the device. In simulating a Training Operations Center (DTOC). full spectrum of flight operations, the system enables trainees to As part of the initial delivery of VRSG licenses, MetaVR provided experience various simulation environments while allowing full 4-meter CONUS++ round-earth 3D terrain enhanced with cultural instructor oversight and scenario control. lighting for all of the CONUS area. The terrain features cultural lights points that are geospecific to actual road networks. USAF T1-A CSO TRAINER VRSG is integrated into the U.S. Air Force T-1A Jayhawk twin- engine jet trainer aircraft as part of an embedded training device to provide a simulated mixed reality Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) training capability to the aircraft. The U.S. Air Force’s Combat Systems Officer training station at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL, uses 49 MetaVR VRSG licenses on 21 T-1A aircraft at the base. VRSG forms part of the T-1A Combat System Officers Training System (CSOTS) embedded training device for the aircraft, which is used to train students in the operation of EO/IR sensors. VRSG generates the visuals for the system, resulting in a mixed reality training experience for trainees that combines simulated and live environments.

In-flight EO/IR training is carried out using a generic simulated sensor model similar to the MX-20. A total of 15 flight paths Inside the boom pod of the KC-135R Air National Guard BOSS with MetaVR visuals. (Photo courtesy of FAAC.) between North Carolina and Louisiana can be flown during training exercises, with correlated views rendered on MetaVR’s ANG C-130 MULTI-MISSION CREW TRAINER SE CONUS ++ terrain. The system is integrated with a third- The U.S. Air National Guard’s Multi-Mission Crew Trainer party computer-generated/semi-automated forces application (MMCT), which uses MetaVR VRSG, is a high-fidelity low-cost so that students ‘see’ targets inserted into the simulated view. squadron-level C-130 Hercules flight simulator for advanced These targets – buildings, ground vehicles or other aircraft – are models from MetaVR’s model libraries. mission rehearsal, threat awareness training, aircraft system refreshers, emergency procedure, and crew resource manage- Two VRSG licenses are installed on each of the 21 aircraft. ment training. The Distributed Mission Operations (DMO)-capa- One VRSG display is located in front with co-pilot, the other is ble trainer is designed and built through a partnership between situated behind the co-pilot, where the student sits. In addition to the AETC at Randolph Air Force Base and QuantaDyn. Eleven the aircraft-based training system, VRSG is used on a ground- MMCTs have been fielded at ten Air National Guard units; all based trainer to increase student’s familiarization, and to provide have capability to function as H2, H3, and LC-130 airframes. the ability to play back training missions in a debrief setting.

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