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MetaVR at I/ITSEC 2013
[March 20, 2014]

MetaVR at I/ITSEC 2013


(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 20 March 2014 Release date- 19032014 - MetaVR exhibited its products and technology in Booth #1249 at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference and Trade Show (I/ITSEC), held December 2 - 5, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, USA.



Illustration of MetaVR's 30' x 90' Booth #1249.

Interview with MetaVR at I/ITSEC: MetaVR showcased features and enhancements that include 3D terrain of Somalia, imagery collection and terrain creation, Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG), and 3D models. Demonstrations in the MetaVR booth included: New high-resolution geospecific 3D terrain of the southern Somalia port city of Kismayo. The Kismayo 3D terrain is populated with hundreds of geographically specific culture models built from ground-level photographs taken on the streets of Kismayo. In addition to these geolocated and photo-specific models of buildings and other structures, several hundred other buildings were modeled by matching the structural footprints visible in the imagery as geotypical models with culturally and architecturally accurate details. The models are combined with 50 cm per-pixel Digital Globe (GeoEye-1) satellite imagery covering 1,017 sq km of the southern Somalia port city and are blended into 15-meter natural view imagery of all of Somalia with SRTM void filled elevation source data. This virtual terrain was built in MetaVR's round-earth format with MetaVR Terrain Tools for Esri ArcGIS for visualizing in VRSG. For placing persistent cultural features on the terrain, VRSG Scenario Editor was used as part of the terrain workflow. VRSG Scenario Editor was also used to create the multiple VRSG scenarios that take place on the terrain.


MetaVR's new geospecific 3D terrain of Kismayo, Somalia. MetaVRC, MetaVR's aerial imagery collection aircraft.

New portable aircraft system for generating geospecific real-time 3D terrain. The MetaVRC, MetaVR's remote-controlled aircraft for imagery data collection, is a low profile, lightweight, and portable plane, modified to accommodate autonomous flight. The aircraft captures high-resolution still-frame images at 1 inch resolution, which after orthorectification can used as imagery source together with accurate elevation data to compile terrain at 3 cm resolution with MetaVR's Terrain Tools for Esri ArcGIS. The resulting geospecific synthetic environment can then be rendered in VRSG. As the resolution of the imagery increases, so does the resulting sensor simulation. Both the aircraft itself and 3D terrain built from imagery captured during a test run were on display at I/ITSEC. VRSG's physics-based IR simulation was also demonstrated on the 3 cm per-pixel terrain. (Note: The operational readiness testing of the MetaVRC was performed as described by the FAA and AMA applicable airspace operation rules and regulations. (AMA National Safety Code and FAA AC 91-57.) Data was collected as part of this testing.) JTAC training classroom. MetaVR and Battlespace Simulations' (BSI's) Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC) desktop simulation system was set up in MetaVR's booth for conducting JTAC training exercises. This JTAC simulator was granted accreditation in 2012 by the Joint Fire Support Executive Steering Committee (JFS ESC) for JTAC training. This privately funded commercial-off-the-shelf simulator is accredited for live controls (types 1, 2, 3) for both day and night, and for laser target designation with a simulated military laser designator, in accordance with the JTAC Memorandum of Agreement. Type 1 accreditation requires either a 220+ degree FOV dome display or a head-mounted display (HMD). Exercises on this accredited simulator included pilot-in-the-loop complex close-air-support scenarios (such as 5-Line and 9-Line and Call-for-Fire) taking place on MetaVR's virtual 3D terrains, generated from BSI's Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE) software running on the pilot/role-player station. MACE includes realistic, flyable flight models and a HUD overlay for VRSG to help the operator put bombs (or guns) on target. The pilot/role player station will feature an ImmersiveDesktop curved screen display from Immersive Display Solutions. Training was facilitated by Close Air Solutions and BSI and was conducted at regular intervals during I/ITSEC.

The JTAC classroom with MetaVR and BSI's JTAC training simulator. MetaVR's new VRSG Scenario Editor.

New VRSG Scenario Editor. MetaVR's new scenario-creation and editing application, which is delivered with VRSG version 5.8, enables users to build-up real-time 3D content and create pattern of life scenarios to play back in VRSG. While using the game-like interface, users can draw from the entity and culture assets from MetaVR's model libraries of over 4,300 models as well as its libraries of animations and effects. VRSG Scenario Editor was used to create most of the company's real-time demos on display at I/ITSEC.

Geospecific 3D terrain of North America. MetaVR's 3D terrain of Continental US plus Alaska and Hawaii (CONUS++) in round-earth format features 1 mpp natural color imagery of CONUS itself and natural color imagery ranging from 0.25 to 2 mpp resolution for the newly built Alaska and Hawaii areas. Demos included F-16 takeoff, flight, and landing sequences over high-resolution areas built up with cultural content such as Luke Air Force Base, Nellis Air Force Base, Ft. Worth Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base/Carswell Field, Homestead Air Reserve, and VT Air National Guard facility at Burlington International Airport. 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 US.

MetaVR also demonstrated MetaVR Terrain Tools for ArcGIS, which enables users to turn their geospatial data into real-time 3D terrain from within their GIS software. The 3D terrains featured in all of the company's I/ITSEC demos were built with MetaVR Terrain Tools.

MetaVR's Terrain Tools for Esri ArcGIS. MetaVR receiving MT2's Innovation award for 2013. (Photo courtesy of MT2.) MetaVR hosted several business partners in its booth: BSI demonstrated the latest version of MACE, a computer generated forces (CGF)/semi-automated forces (SAF) software application, which uses VRSG for its 3D visuals and is capable of simulating a contested battlespace. BSI also demonstrated its other software simulation and training products: Viper, a low-cost PC-based DIS radio, and DIScord, a DIS recorder used for after action review. In addition, BSI's MACE was demonstrated in the Air National Guard's AAJTS system described below.

Close Air Solutions, providers of close air support training in all fields of air-land integration, facilitated training exercises in the JTAC training classroom.

EdgedSign, MetaVR's preferred provider of military models, built and geolocated most of the culture on MetaVR's new Kismayo 3D terrain and demonstrated model creation as part of the terrain workflow.

Close Air Solutions in the JTAC classroom. EdgedSign inspecting model placement in VRSG Scenario Editor.

Immersive Display Solutions demonstrated its ImmersiveDesktop curved screen display in the JTAC training classroom and ran VRSG as part of a demonstration of a new desktop display. In addition, Immersive Display Solutions' 5-meter dome was demonstrated in the Air National Guard's AAJTS system described below.

Radiance Technologies demonstrated the Ground Procedural Trainer (GPT) developed for the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) to provide training for airborne sensor operators on the Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Multifunction (ARL-M) and Medium Altitude, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (MARSS) platforms. The student workstations use the same hardware and tactical IMINT and COMINT software from the aircraft workstations to provide a realistic training environment. The student workstations consist of two computers: one computer uses VRSG version 5.8 with VRSG's new physics-based IR to display a simulated EO/IR sensor, and the second computer hosts the tactical software. A simulation host links these two computers to provide interaction between the simulated EO/IR sensor and the tactical software. Using VRSG Scenario Editor, hundreds of unique scenarios have been created for the GPT to train students on different missions.

Radiance Technologies demonstrating the Ground Procedural Trainer. Battlespace Simulations (BSI) demonstrating MACE.

MetaVR technology was also demonstrated by other exhibitors at I/ITSEC: AAI Corp. demonstrated in Booth #829 a partial Shadow UAS Crew Trainer mobile classroom, with VRSG generating the simulated UAV camera payload.

The AAJTS simulator. Photo courtsey of QuantaDyn. The AAJTS simulator. Photo courtsey of QuantaDyn.

The Air National Guard Trainer Development and QuantaDyn demonstrated in Booth #1963 the Advanced JTAC Training System (AAJTS) prototype simulator.

The AAJTS is a fully immersive simulator designed to support US Air National Guard JTAC and combat controller squadron-level continuation, qualification and mission-rehearsal training. The simulator encompasses high-fidelity visual displays, geospecific visual databases, equipment emulators, and associated hardware and software. The AAJTS is designed to meet the requirements for unit training at US Air Support Operations Squadrons and Special Tactics Squadrons. The system is provided by QuantaDyn and is comprised of, in part, commercial off-the-shelf components provided by BSI (semi-automated forces and instructor operator station), Immersive Display Solutions (immersive dome), MetaVR (image generator and terrain), and ASTi (voice communication and sounds). The AAJTS at I/ITSEC featured a 5-meter dome running 14 VRSG channels with additional VRSG channels for the instructor station, emulated military equipment, stealth viewer, and role player station.

AVT Simulation demonstrated in Booth #2741 its reconfigurable aerial refueling receiver simulator, which uses MetaVR VRSG for the receiver operator trainee's out-the-window views.

MetaVR visuals in Plexsys Interface Products booth. MetaVR visuals in AAI's Shadow Crew Trainer mobile classroom.

Pathfinder Systems demonstrated in Booth #129 its helicopter door gunnery simulator, which uses MetaVR visuals. The cabin for the display represents the front portion of a UH-60 cabin with a brand new Pathfinder Systems' window-mounted M240 machine gun. Pathfinder's demo simulator uses two VRSG channels and BSI's MACE.

Plexsys Interface Products demonstrated in Booth #2175 MetaVR visuals in Zedasoft's reconfigurable desktop simulator.

Sierra Nevada demonstrating EO/IR sensor simulation. ZedaSoft demonstrating the Scorpion Concept Demonstration Simulator.

Sierra Nevada demonstrated in Booth #2715 MetaVR visuals in its EO/IR sensor simulation.

ZedaSoft demonstrated in Booth #2075 VRSG as the sole visual system in all of its simulators, running MetaVR's terrain of Afghanistan and the southwest region of MetaVR's CONUS++ 3D terrain. Among ZedaSoft's simulators was the new Textron AirLand Scorpion Concept Demonstration Simulator. ZedaSoft developed this simulator to assist Textron AirLand in demonstrating capabilities of the Scorpion aircraft. The simulator demonstrates key ISR/Strike mission concepts for the aircraft mission systems, weapons, and sensors. VRSG provides the out-the-window visual scene and sensor views to simulate the L-3 WESCAM MX-15 and FLIR Systems EO/IR sensor payloads.

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