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America's Longest Established Simulation & Training Magazine

Special Section: Spotlight on Medical Simulation

Skill Builder Rear Admiral Michael S. White Commander Naval Education and Training Command

UAS Operator Training O Flight Simulation O Projectors Readiness O Night Vision Training

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May 2015

Volume 20, Issue 2

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military Training technology Features

May 2015 Volume 20, Issue 2

Cover / Q&A

19

special section

Projectors Meet Training Challenge

With the aid of rapid technological progress in the consumer movie and television markets, projectors used for military training are providing the lower costs and improved results needed to meet the challenge of increasing reliance on simulation systems.

By Erin Flynn Jay

Spotlight on Medical Simulation 11 Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Christopher M. Todd, Army product manager for medical simulation 12 Listing of leading medical simulation companies

16 5

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The explosion in use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or remotely piloted aircraft has created very demanding training needs. Constant improvement in sensors, communications and command and control means initial training must be constantly updated.

As night vision goggles become more common and vital to military operations, from ground combat to night flights by helicopters and other aircraft, industry is stepping forward with a variety of training solutions to ensure that users take advantage of the benefits and avoid the risks of the technology.

Diverse Tools Aid UAS Training

By Henry Canaday

Training for Night Vision

23

Training Technology for Readiness

24

Redefining Pilot Training

The United States faces a looming crisis of military readiness, and new training technologies could play a key role in the remedy, according to panelists at a recent government/industry event focused on the nation’s preparedness for future conflicts.

By Harrison Donnelly

As militaries continue to face tough budget decisions and maintain readiness in an evolving global security environment, industry simply must leverage innovation to deliver more realistic and robust aircrew training.

By Jon Rambeau

By Harrison Donnelly

Departments 2 Editor’s Perspective 4 Program Highlights/people 14 data packets 26 Team orlando 27 Resource center

Industry Interview Emanuele Merlo

Head of Integrated Training System (ITS) Alenia Aermacchi

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2015 is Our 20th Year

Rear Admiral Michael S. White

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“If we can leverage what they already know and build the foundational skills they will need to operate in the fleet, we can produce sailors who are better trained in a more rapid manner and motivated to do their jobs. It’s an exciting time to be here.”

— Rear Admiral Michael S. White

Military Training Technology Volume 20, Issue 2 • May 2015

Recognized Leader Covering All Aspects of Military Training Readiness Editorial Editor

Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Copy Editors

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Peter Buxbaum • Henry Canaday • Scott R. Gourley Erin Flynn Jay

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EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE In this issue’s article “Redefining Pilot Training,” Jon Rambeau highlights the continuing movement toward simulated flight training, due both to cost-effectiveness and to the ability to offer trainees a wide range of experiences. A recent Air Force project offers an example of another relevant factor—the potential impact of live flight training on the civilian population and economy.

Having received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in early spring, the Air Force is implementing a major expansion of the Powder River Training Complex, which will greatly expand an existing bomber training airspace to cover some 35,000 square Harrison Donnelly Editor miles in North and South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

The Air Force argues that the proposal would save up to $23 million a year in fuel costs while improving training realism. “Potential U.S. adversaries have developed, and are developing, targeting threats which, in turn, require the B-1 and B-52 aircrews to be able to address targets in different ways and from distances in excess of those possible in the existing Powder River” area, the service has warned.

The proposal has drawn strong support from the South Dakota congressional delegation, but equally vocal resistance from Montana lawmakers, who argue that the expanded flights could endanger or delay other aviation in their state. They also cite an Air Force report acknowledging that sonic booms and low-level flights could disturb residents and livestock.

In seeking approval for the expansion, the Air Force put forward a number of steps to mitigate the impact. Large exercises involving 20 aircraft would be limited to three days per quarter and no more than 10 a year, for example.

The expansion appears to offer advantages in enabling the Air Force to prepare pilots for the changing nature of air warfare, and FAA officials say they are committed to maintaining public safety.

Nevertheless, the discussion also points to another possible benefit of simulation technology.

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Naval ROTC incoming midshipmen freshmen perform a facing movement during NROTC freshman orientation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The week-long orientation introduces incoming NROTC freshman to Navy life and the training they will undergo during their four years at the university. [Photo courtesy of Naval Education & Training Command]

The U.S. Army recently purchased 300 licenses of MetaVR visuals for embedded training in its Universal Ground Control Stations and for Institutional Mission Simulators.

Since 2002, the Army has used MetaVR visuals for simulated UAV camera payload video for Shadow, Grey Eagle, Aerosonde, and Hunter training.

With MetaVR visuals used for simulated UAV camera payload video in ground control stations and in manned aircraft simulators, UAV operators, pilots, and JTAC trainees can achieve fully correlated HD H.264 simulated sensor video with accurate KLV metadata that replicates the actual sensor payload imagery of ISR assets during MUM-T and other distributed training exercises.

Real-time screen captures are from MetaVR’s visualization system rendering 3D virtual terrain of Kismayo, Somalia, and are unedited except as required for printing. The real-time rendering of the 3D virtual world is generated by MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene GeneratorTM (VRSGTM). 3D models are from MetaVR’s 3D content libraries.

Copyright © 2015 MetaVR, Inc. MetaVR, Virtual Reality Scene Generator, VRSG, the phrase “Geospecific simulation with game quality graphics,” and the MetaVR logo are trademarks of MetaVR, Inc.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Contract Cuts Costs of Diverse Training Portfolio A General Dynamics-led team has been awarded the Live Training Transformation (LT2) Consolidated Product-line Management (CPM) Next contract by the Army. The General Dynamics team was awarded the original CPM program contract in 2009 by the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Program Manager for Training Devices. With this award, the General Dynamics team will

continue managing the Army’s LT2 live training systems that include nearly 300 training ranges worldwide, with training that scales from individual soldiers to brigades participating in live force-on-force and force-on-target training. The CPM Next award is a five-year, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with a total potential value of $415 million. The LT2 CPM Next contract will help the Army continue to reduce the

Simulator Meets Attack Controller Training Needs

Modeling and Simulation Services Aid Night Vision Unit CACI International has received a $43 million task order contract to continue providing engineering support, including modeling and simulation of sensor and imaging systems, for the Army’s Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD). This 12-month contract, awarded under the Strategic Services Sourcing contract vehicle, sustains CACI’s business in its C4ISR market area. NVESD conducts research and development of advanced night vision and other sensor technologies, such as infrared weapon sights and surveil-

Rockwell Collins will provide the Australian Army with the latest-generation Joint Fires Observer ( JFO)/Joint Terminal Attack Controller ( JTAC) simulator designed to meet all of the service’s training requirements now and into the foreseeable future. This system, part of the RealFires family of JFO and JTAC simulators, will be located at the School of Air Force Colonel Christopher A. Artillery and is fully integrated with the Coffelt, who has been selected for the Rockwell Collins FireStorm Integrated grade of brigadier general, has been Targeting System. The Rockwell Collins assigned as commander, Spaatz Center FireStorm system forms the core of the for Officer Education, and commanLand 17 Phase 1B Digital Terminal Control dant, Air War College, Air University, http://www.rockwellcollins.com/~/media/Images/Products%20and%20Systems/Simulation/RealFires%20Trainer%2004[3/25/2015 10:52:03 AM] System. The RealFires system is a fully Air Education and Training Command, scalable solution that can be delivered as Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. a range of training solutions, from desktop to full 360-degree immersive domes. The Army Brigadier General John A. JFO/JTAC simulator delivered to the School George has been assigned as director, of Artillery includes training room facilirequirements integration directorate, ties, a 270-degree dome, high-fidelity Army Capabilities Integration Center, graphics and full simulation of FireStorm Army Training and Doctrine Command, sensors.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

PEOPLE

4 | MT2 20.2

costs and complexity associated with maintaining its diverse portfolio of training systems. Team members include Assured Information Technology Engineering; Alion Science and Technology; Applied Research Associates; Big Lever Software; Carley Corp.; General Dynamics Information Technology; Leidos; Madcap Software; nFocus Solutions; Phoenix Logistics; Productivity APEX; Raytheon; and Riptide Software.

lance systems that enhance the effectiveness of forces in nighttime and limited visibility conditions. Under this contract, CACI will provide modeling and simulation services to assist NVESD in evaluating sensor system technology and concepts to determine effectiveness of military training in relevant scenarios. The company will also assist in developing and deploying technology enhancements that increase reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities.

John Spadafore; jspadaforce@caci.com

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Christopher E. Brouady

Aptima has announced the promotion of Christopher E. Brouady to the position of vice president, contracts, where he will be responsible for the company’s contracts, security and intellectual property departments.

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Simulation systems make pilot training safer, more economic and even more realistic.

By Henry Canaday MT2 Correspondent

The explosion in use of unmanned aerial systems MetaVR offers the Virtual Reality Scene Generator (UAS) or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) has created (VRSG), a real-time, 3-D graphics engine that renders very demanding training needs. Constant improvevery large and realistic areas of a specific geographic ment in sensors, communications and command location. VRSG is commercial off-the-shelf and runs and control means initial training must be constantly on game-level Windows computers. updated.

Two VRSG features—physics-based infrared (IR) Lessons learned in the field using a still very young capability and its ability to simulate UAS video feeds— technology are another reason for refreshing training. are especially important to UAS training, according to And the many environments in which UASs are deW. Garth Smith, president of MetaVR. ployed and the varied missions and targets they handle For input to VRSG, MetaVR developed its Terrain further expand the training challenge.

Tools plug-in to Esri’s ArcGIS software, which enables W. Garth Smith Training with actual UASs is necessary but not sufusers to build high-resolution, geo-specific terrain wgsmith@metavr.com ficient to meet all these needs. Classroom instruction, with whatever imagery, elevation and culture data web tools, interactive sessions and simulated UAS operations are also sources they have. To enhance realism of 3-D terrain, MetaVR’s own necessary. As with manned aircraft, simulation makes training far remote-controlled aircraft collects image data at 1-inch resolution. more economic, safer and even more realistic. Simulation can repliMetaVR recently released a game-like editor, VRSG Scenario Edicate far more varied scenarios than live training could practically and tor, for creating 3-D scenes and scenarios in VRSG. Users drag and safely do. drop data on 3-D terrain, create paths with waypoints, assign appearThis is especially true for larger UASs and RPAs, which are very exances, and animations and sequence activities in time. pensive to fly, a bit risky to operate and may carry weapons whose deContent is critical to MetaVR applications, Smith said. A variety livery is their primary role. Smaller UASs are more practical to use in of geo-specific 3-D terrain databases are available free or at nominal training, but even here simulation improves efficiency and increases costs with a VRSG license. For the continental United States, 3-D terthe variety of training tasks that can be accomplished. rain at 1-meter or better resolution is available, as is terrain for Africa and much of Asia.

These terrain databases have high-resolution insets of areas of Simulation Software interest, some with geo-specific culture. The company has also built libraries with over 5,500 models and continually adds new models.

Software that provides extraordinarily detailed, realistic, flexible For UAS training, VRSG can stream real-time, HD-quality simand responsive portraits of UAS operational environments, such as ulated video that is indiscernible in composition from actual UAS that provided by MetaVR, supports some of the best simulation tools. www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2 20.2 | 5

it up in the air and work the camera. Automation keeps it where it’s video feeds. UAS operators can thus fly a simulated UAS using the supposed to be.” same hardware as the real system.

The larger Air Force RPAs require three to four months to train on, High-resolution geo-specific synthetic environments are imporand pilot and sensor operators are still separate. There is a push for one tant in UAS training, and realism in sensor mode is particularly impilot to control multiple RPAs, and automation might help here. portant. VRSG’s physics-based IR sensor modeling computes IR senIn training for RPAs and UASs weighing more than 100 pounds, sor images directly from a visual database in real time. It combines simulation is used much more extensively than in the case of small automatic material classification of visual red-green-blue images with UASs. “There are many reasons, including where you can fly. We could a physics-based IR radiance and sensor model. The simulated sensor not train on larger UASs without simulation,” he explained. scene thus emulates heat signatures of terrain, vehicles, characters BOSH is platform-agnostic, in contrast to UAS manufacturers that and objects. VRSG generates video feeds with the same format and train on their own aircraft. Some OEMs try to make their profits on content as real UAS data feeds. training after platform sales, Schoolfield suggested, adding, “We focus The higher the resolution of the terrain images, the better the solely on training, and we have no biases.” simulation. MetaVR’s new imaging aircraft comes in handy here, enThe Army and Air Force are pushing hard to get to a universal abling compilation of terrain at 1-inch resolution, Smith noted. “With ground station for UAS control, and BOSH wants to get involved in a 1-inch resolution database, users can create a physics-based IR prothat effort. “We want to understand that, so if it comes out we will be file of terrain with a very high degree of realism.” ready,” Schoolfield said.

MetaVR software is used for training Army UAS operators, and VRSG provides simulated video feeds for several intelligence-gathering platforms. MetaVR visual data has been used in UAS simulators Ghost Team mainly through the Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Laboratory Multiple Unified Simulation Environment/Air Force SynAnother example of innovative UAS training initiatives comes from thetic Environment for Reconnaissance and Surveillance simulation Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk Operations and Sensor Training system, at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and other UAS training sites. The (GHOST) team, which works out of Beale AFB, Calif., and Grand Forks Army uses VRSG to train operators of the RQ-7 Shadow, Gray Eagle, AFB, N.D. The GHOST team includes instruction designers, developAerosonde and RQ-5 Hunter in portable, classroom and embedded ers, graphic artists, programmers, subject-matter experts and instrucconfigurations. tors specializing in UASs, according to Julia Baldwin, VRSG is also embedded in the Army’s Universal program manager.

Ground Control Station in Universal Mission SimulaGHOST develops instructor-led presentations, tors, the next-generation simulator for multiple UASs. interactive web- and computer-based training, video VRSG Scenario Editor builds scenarios for UAS and simulator training for the RQ-4 Global Hawk. Its training in basic scans, route reconnaissance and QPort Toolkit offers customized computer training target identification. A common example is teaching and assessment. The web-based Qport provides a learnoperators to spot the placement of IEDs in urban enviing management system with interactive courseware, ronments. Combined with tactical air simulation, this performance tracking and quizzes. GHOST also has information can be used to simulate air strikes. instructors who do classroom instruction, simulator To learn vehicle identification, sensor operators training and flight training of sensor operators.

Julia Baldwin examine simulated thermal signatures to determine GHOST supports all Global Hawk models: EQ-4 whether vehicles are friendly or targets. At a fraction Block 20 Battlefield Airborne Communication Node; of the cost of live training, MetaVR scenarios can train both new UAS Block 30I Enhanced Integrated Sensor System (EISS); Block 30M Airoperators and seasoned veterans. borne Signals Integrated Program; and Block 40 Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program.

The team recently developed an interactive Part Task Trainer Live Flight (PTT) for Block 40 sensor operator qualification and continuation. PTT provides customized scenarios that enable sensor operaWith its experience training Army and Special Operations Comtors to practice ground-station setup and procedures for before and mand personnel on small UASs such as the RQ-11 Raven and RQ-20 during missions. Operators also practice ad-hoc tasking and target Puma, BOSH Global Services offers a training provider’s perspective. management, and PTT assesses their performance.

BOSH trains on RPAs at the Air Force Academy, where it also runs The GHOST team is now developing a blended approach that coman air operations center and trains in RPA command and control, exbines web training with PowerPoint and video, thus joining the advanplained Ervin Schoolfield, the company’s director of flight services. tages of classroom and computer-based training. Northrop Grumman BOSH uses both live flight and simulations for Army training is looking to this approach to exploit the knowledge of RPA experts in small UASs. Training starts off with simulation but then turns to in instructor-led presentations, economically providing on-demand live flight. instruction when needed.

“Simulation helps,” Schoolfield said. “But for most small UASs, GHOST staff members are also prototyping a virtual reality enthey have to get a hand on it and throw it up in the air. To simulate vironment for training RPA maintainers. Using a Unity Game Dethat, I would have to put a dome on it to get an entire field of view. velopment Engine and Oculus Rift headset, it puts maintainers in a That’s not practical.”

3-D world.

Small UAS training takes about eight days for students, who inThe courseware, with high-fidelity graphics, video, animations creasingly function as both pilot and sensor operator. “The military and interactive simulations, can train RPA crew in comparatively is getting into one-operator systems,” Schoolfield noted. “You throw 6 | MT2 20.2

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short periods, Baldwin said. PTT is also expected to further shorten training times and reduce requirements for instructors and live flights for break-in training.

Modular Architecture The last two years have seen an explosion of offerings in civilian and military UAS markets, noted Eric Simon, head of innovation modeling and simulation at Presagis. But, he added, the exponential number of combinations of different UAS flight platforms and sensor packages often makes it challenging for UAS operators to understand the best cost-performance solution for each mission.

So Presagis has been improving its own UAS capabilities. The firm does UAS research and performance analysis and also trains in tasks, missions Eric Simon and operation of UASs. Its UAS capabilities use a wide range of simulation eric.simon@presagis.com tools to support applications over the entire UAS life cycle.

Presagis offers a complete and modular simulation architecture.

Within this architecture are applications for specific UAS training challenges. For example, the FlightSIM and HeliSIM products handle flight platform dynamics, while its VegaPrime-IR/NVG and Presagis Radar simulate sensor packages. Presagis VAPS-XT works with UAS ground control stations and includes a path to certification under the FAA’s standard for safety in airborne software. For synthetic threats and natural environment, there is Presagis Stage, and Presagis TerraVista and Creator handle synthetic terrain and 3-D models.

Presagis software can simulate any configuration of either fixedor rotary-wing UASs, Simon explained. Simulations include the effects of any payload that affects the UAS’s mass, lift, drag, moment of inertia and center of gravity.

The company has already implemented Presagis models for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, IAI’s Eitan, or Heron TP, the MQ-8 Fire Scout and many others. “Our technical services can support any specific implementation effort required,” Simon said Most recently, Presagis has been working on support for quadcopters and octocopters. It is developing a sample application for a generic ground control station, launching a new high-fidelity radar simulator and furthering its FAA certification tools.

“Future development efforts will focus on flight path planning, mapping, visualization, analysis and interpretation of UAV sensor data on 3-D terrain,” he predicted.

A significant advantage of simulating UAS missions prior to actual sorties is that it enables pilot and sensor operator to improve coordination between platform dynamics and sensor performance. They can thus execute an optimal mission in one pass with the best range and angle for the sensors to capture information, thus minimizing mission risks and costs.

Immersive Environments

L-3 Link’s simulated sensors have the same capabilities, limitations and effects present in actual operations, including factors affecting data link and responses crews will see under varying conditions. “The goal is to realistically train for all missions with zero flight time in actual aircraft,” said Jeff Schram, director of business development.

L-3 Link makes the software and part of the hardware for the Air Force Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS). The system trains three crew members—pilot, sensor operator and another crewmember who can review images. PMATS simulates RQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper operation.

The company initially delivered 26 PMATS units, used at Holloman AFB, N.M., Creech AFB, Nev., March Air Reserve Base, Calif., various Air National Guard units and by U.S. Special Operations Command. The Air Force is considering deploying another 50 PMATSs. PMATS is used for both a lengthy initial training course and for recurrent training. L-3 Link keeps PMATS concurrent with many updates in payload and capabilities for each platform, and the company plans this year to field a number of concurrency updates.

L-3 Link is also intent on keeping PMATS an immersive training environment difficult to distinguish from actual flight. “Integration with the entire battlespace will be the norm for training,” Schram said, adding that concurrency updates come as frequently as every six months.

These upgrades may be for weapons or sensors, for example to provide higher-definition video or better handling of degradation

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MISSION EDITOR

www.presagis.com

MT2 20.2 | 7

by weather. Operators will be able to train on both current RPA programs as well as those about to be introduced. They will thus be fully prepared when new systems are installed on platforms.

L-3 Link also won a contract from General Atomics for eight appended Blue Box HD Block 30 training units for integration on Predator and Reaper ground control stations. The units will run the same software as PMATS. When crews are unable to fly real RPAs due to adverse weather, they can refresh their skills on a system connected to an operational ground control station. The Air Force currently conducts more than half of Predator and Reaper training through simulation, and L-3 Link systems are capable of even more training. Appended Blue Box systems enable crews to train in deployment without traveling to training facilities, and are also low-cost and easy to maintain.

Indeed, simulation is getting so close to real RPA flying that the Air Force would like to do all training on simulators, Schram said.

But it still needs to do live training for other parts of the RPA system, for instance physically launching and recovering aircraft, to exercise all personnel and equipment.

L-3 Link would like to exploit its experience with PMATS for new customers and other UASs. Schram noted that non-recurring engineering work has been done, so L-3 could save time and money in simulating Jeff Schram other UASs. The company is also interested in the international mar- jeffrey.schram@l-3com.com ket for UASs, which the Obama administration opened a bit for more exports in early 2015. “There is a big hunger out there for these.”

Serious Gaming Crew Training International (CTI) creates courseware and does instruction on the Predator and Reaper at the Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Matthew Black Nev. The school trains tactical exmblack@cti-crm.com perts and leaders of airmen skilled in integrated battlespace dominance across land, air, space and cyber domains, according to Matthew Black, CTI senior vice president, business development. Nellis has trained Predator and Reaper weapons instructors since 2008.

CTI also creates courseware and conducts crew resource management (CRM) training for Predator and Del Beilstein Reaper crews from Creech, Holloman and March, as well as Hancock Field dbeilstein@aegistg.com Air National Guard Base, N.Y. Using more than 20 years of expertise in courseware development, CTI is currently building an interactive serious game to train RPA pilots. This game will save time by supplementing training completed in the simulators.

8 | MT2 20.2

A pilot and sensor operator train on L-3 Link’s Predator Mission Aircrew Training System.

[Photo courtesy of L-3 Link]

“All students will be able to access our serious game program with their computers, allowing them to go through the game outside of normal classroom and training hours,” Black said. “It will also save them time in the simulator because students gain important skills and knowledge of RPAs through CTI’s serious game.”

AEgis Technologies’ Vampire simulation software is embedded in ground control stations (GCSs) for the Raven, Wasp and Puma. “It gives operators the same touch, feel and interface they will get on the real system because it is the real system,” stressed Del Beilstein, vice president of business development. Putting the software on GCSs lessens the load of deploying troops, while still allowing them to train anywhere.

The tool is integrated with FalconView mission-planning software for small UASs. Vampire includes geo-specific terrain, moving 3-D models, simulated weather, atmospheric and time-of-day effects, plus realistic tactical scenarios. It is the only simulation software for the three small UASs, with 4,000 licenses issued to the Army and Marines.

The Army used to send UAS operators to train at Fort Benning, Ga. About two years ago, the Army began training instructors at Fort Benning, then sending them to the field to do initial training. So AEgis developed Vampire Institutional Training System (ITS), a classroom version of Vampire. Instructors can control simulations on each GCS, see how students react to emergency conditions and grade the students. The ITS version allows one instructor to teach 10 teams of 20 students, with two on each GCS. AEgis has fielded 34 Vampire ITS systems.

Another innovation is the Vampire Bidirectional Advanced Trainer (BAT). The Army’s One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT) is a Toughbook computer that has allowed non-UAS soldiers to pull down sensor images from UASs. The service is now moving to a bidirectional OSRVT that allows non-UAS soldiers to also take control of UAS payloads. There are now 400 Vampire BATs training them in how to do it.

In a few months, Vampire will support a new UAS—the Shrike, a vertical takeoff and landing rotorcraft made by AeroVironment. O

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Hank Donnelly at hankd@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

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Goggles offer both benefits and significant

challenges that need to be dealt with in training. avionics displays. Each of these constraints As night vision goggles (NVG) become on their own could significantly impact more common and vital to military operaboth the safety and mission readiness of tions, from ground combat to night flights the crew,” noted Phil Perey, senior direcby helicopters and other aircraft, industry tor, strategy and business is stepping forward with a development for CAE. variety of training solutions “The goals of NVG trainfor ensuring that users take ing are to expose new airadvantage of the benefits crews to these constraints and avoid the risks of the and instill proper operatechnology. tional behaviors during NVG The green imagery of operations,” Perey continlight-amplifying NVGs has ued. “For example, crews are become familiar to movie trained to use a regular head and television viewers, and scanning pattern to circumtheir functionality has bePhil Perey vent the limited field of view come commonplace for phil.perey@cae.com of the NVG goggles. They are thousands of military, law also exposed to environmental conditions enforcement and emergency personnel. that cause depth miscues, such as distant The training offered by a number of comred lights as well as scene blackout effects panies for NVG in ground operations can caused by strong moon shadows.” generally be completed in about a day of “Although most of the emphasis is on hands-on practice. what NVGs can do, little is said about what In aviation, however, where NVGs ofNVGs cannot do. NVGs are great tools and fer not only major benefits in safety and certainly extend the aircrew’s capability, operational effectiveness, but also signifibut there are several imitations that are cant challenges that need to be dealt with not readily apparent,” said Dick Leland, in training. This is particularly true for president of the National AeroSpace Trainmilitary pilots of helicopters and other airing and Research Center, which is operated craft, who must cope with security restricby Environmental Tectonics Corp. (ETC). tions—lighting, for example—as well as For example, “NVGs do not provide the unique characteristics of NVGs. an easily discernible cue if the pilot is fly“Most NVGs restrict the field of view of ing into severe weather unless lightning the aircrew, reduce or eliminate 3-D depth is present. Severe weather is often only perception, generate halos and blooming cued by an increase in scintillation in the effects around reddish light sources, and NVG image. There is also a significant impact the crew’s ability to view aircraft

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By Harrison Donnelly, MT2 Editor amount of image interpretation needed when using NVGs, since inland bodies of water may appear as depressions, power lines do not show up well, and shadows show up as voids,” Leland explained.

Managing the interface between NVGs and other life support equipment is something that must be carefully considered and taught, as are such human factor issues as the weight of the goggles on the helmet, he said. “Additionally, since peripheral or ambient visual cues are very important in maintaining spatial orientation, spatial disorientation is a significant human factor issue, particularly in aerodynamically agile aircraft such as helicopters and fighters.

“An effective training program must address these issues, and trainees must receive comprehensive training including academic instruction followed by interactive training using their actual NVGs prior to engaging in flight operations with NVGs,” Leland added.

Instructional Technologies As in many other fields, NVG training choices are split between hands-on experience and simulated—or, in this case, also stimulated—instructional technologies.

Real-life instruction is a training focus for Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU), a night vision specialist that offers equipment, service, training and the cockpit modifications needed to accommodate goggle use.

MT2 20.2 | 9

can meet helicopter and fixed-wing aircrew “We don’t use a simulator. We have training requirements, and can be delivlooked at them and know that the Air Force ered in both full-flight simulators and flight and others use them. But we don’t see a training devices. value. I’ve used simulators, and we don’t Providing support for NVG training rethink there is a value based on the cost of quires a system-design apthe simulation or stimulaproach touching the cockpit, tion, and the additional time visual system and instrucrequirements, and the gain is tor operator system, Perey very little,” said Kim Harris, noted. “First, the cockpit inASU director of operations. struments and panels must “We do a one-day acabe NVG compatible. This is demics course for initial accomplished through use of qualification and then begin original aircraft equipment flying the next night. Most designed for NVG, or simuof the training occurs in lated equipment fitted with the customer’s aircraft and Kim Harris appropriate filters. location. We travel to wherkharris@asu-nvg.com “Second, our CAE Medalever they are and provide the lion-6000 visual system includes modeling training in their environment,” Harris said. capabilities to distinguish between the ap“Simulation has a value, but it’s not as good pearance of objects in visible light (without as what we see in real life. They just don’t NVG) and the near-infrared range to which have a grasp on the simulation. There are NVGs are more sensitive, and real-time various technical issues with the projectors shadow generation reflecting the moon that they are battling with. It’s solvable but phase and position,” he continued. “Both of expensive to get there.” these features optimize the training that can The company emphasizes effective use be provided. The visual system hardware, of aircraft lighting, such as searchlights and and particularly the projectors, are selected landing lights. “In the civilian world, we’re and configured to provide the dark scenes not worried about people shooting at us, so necessary for NVG operation.” we use searchlights and landing lights to Recent innovations include the CAE great effect, which is contrary to military Medallion-6000 image generator’s real-time guidance. When you’re flying for the milishadow simulation, which enables pilots to tary, lights just make you a target,” he said. experience the change in appearance of a “Even with the military operations, particular terrain area as a function of the though, there are a lot of times when skilled position of the moon. In addition, selective use of aircraft lighting, whether visible or filters have been added to the display system infrared, can make a dramatic difference in projectors to enhance the black level and how well we can see and locate obstacles in improve the fidelity of the NVG appearance. difficult environments. It’s not intuitive how you use it because the way we use aircraft lighting with NVGs is significantly different Simulation/Stimulation than how we do it unaided. If you turn the light on and try to use goggles, it will cause ETC provides classroom NVG trainthe goggles to gain down and degrade the ing that includes academic instruction and image. So you really have to know what you hands-on learning, as well as simulators are doing with it,” Harris continued. that offer NVG compatibility.

CAE, meanwhile, focuses on simulated “A hallmark of ETC’s simulators is the systems that are fully integrated into the ETC profile editors, which allow users to use cockpit training environment, which Perey ETC-supplied training profiles or to create, explained “enables the crews to train all store and run new training profiles. This caphases of the NVG mission, including tranpability allows the simulators to keep pace sition into and out of NVG use, crew and with changing training needs. It also allows avionics interactions, and realistic scene apfor mishap investigation and training of lespearance under varying weather and lightsons learned. Profiles can be automated or ing conditions.” instructor- led,” Leland said.

The company provides flight simulaSince ETC’s simulators support spators with full NVG training capability, which tial disorientation training and have a full

10 | MT2 20.2

meteorology menu, virtually any NVG flight situation can be presented to the trainee, he noted. The Authentic Flight Simulator-400 also allows trainees to practice NVG operations in a realistic sustained G environment that very closely replicates what they will experience in the aircraft.

“With ETC’s level of simulation fidelity, the trainee takes away a full appreciation of what the NVGs can do, what they cannot do and how to use the NVGs effectively and safely in both normal and emergency flight situations. The trainees’ risk-management skills are made significantly more robust as a result of the training,” he said.

Another important distinction in NVG training is between stimulation and simulation programs.

“Stimulation involves creating an environment that accurately replicates the real world where the actual NVGs can be used, while simulation usually involves simulating the NVGs using cathode ray tubes,” Leland explained.

“For training fidelity, stimulation is superior,” he contended. “In stimulation, the trainees use their actual NVGs. They learn firsthand the value of proper preflight, fitting and focusing. They also learn firsthand how the actual NVGs operate in the operational environment and therefore understand and appreciate all of the nuances of NVG use.”

Display and integration technologies can also be critical in this area. With its unique systems integration technologies such as Christie AutoCal, ArrayLOC, AccuFrame and Twist, for example, Christie can address key criteria in simulated environment design such as automatic calibration, geometric accuracy, image blending and warping, resolution, color and brightness uniformity, latency, smear reduction, and overall reliability and sustainability, according to Curtis Lingard, technical product manager.

“With their unique dual-input architecture and using Christie InfraScene, Matrix Series projectors use separate channels for visible light and near-infrared spectrum for a more realistic NVG training experience,” he said. O For more information, contact MT2 Editor Hank Donnelly at hankd@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

www.MT2-kmi.com

Spotlight on Medical Simulation

Rehearsing lifesaving interventions that keep warfighters alive on the battlefield.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher M. Todd, Army product manager for medical simulation (PM MedSim) within the Program Executive Office Simulation, Training & Instrumentation (PEO STRI), recently gave Military Training Technology readers an update on his organization’s work.

Q: How would you describe the mission and current deployment of the Medical Simulation Training Center (MSTC), and what is your role in overseeing the program?

A: The MSTC mission is to save lives by supporting unit medical readiness requirements. It provides commanders a turnkey approach to sustain and validate combat medic (68W) emergency medical technician (EMT) recertification requirements and facilitate combat lifesaver (CLS) training to non-medical soldiers. The system provides instructor/operators, often augmented by local medical assets, to teach Army Medical Department Center and School-approved (AMEDDC&S) performance-oriented training curricula to soldiers from the active, reserve and National Guard components. Its suite of integrated specially selected training devices, environmental simulation capability and computer-based training and validation tools create the foundation to optimally create and sustain combat casualty care skills necessary for warrior survivability.

By allowing instructors to recreate the sights, sounds and situations of combat environments, medics and non-medical personnel can rehearse lifesaving interventions that keep our soldiers, sailors and Marines alive on the battlefield. There are currently 21 MSTCs located in the United States, Europe and Korea. PM MedSim is responsible for managing the life cycle of the MSTC program of record and, in collaboration with the AMEDDC&S, continuously assesses emerging technologies.

Q: What are you doing to expand the impact and bring the benefits of the approach taken by the MSTCs to other areas?

A: Sustaining combat medic proficiency through a centralized approach has become a cornerstone of maintaining unit medical readiness. One example is the Transport Medical Treatment Laboratory (TMTL). The TMTL, a simulation system developed to improve Army flight paramedic skills, immerses students in stressful environments that include a realistic UH-60 cabin while caring for critically injured patients simulated with high-fidelity human patient simulators.

Q: What are some of the key technologies used at MSTCs, and what are the promising new technologies on the horizon?

A: Short of actually treating combat casualties, treating a simulated patient is the only way to prepare Army combat medics and soldiers to perform urgent lifesaving procedures necessitated by combat trauma. The current MSTC system utilizes high-fidelity patient www.MT2-kmi.com

simulators to provide accurate clinical simulation (simulating a patient) and enhanced environments to provide tactical simulation (simulating the environment in which a patient and care provider interact). In combat trauma training, it is critically important that patient simulators provide real-time physiologically accurate responses and look, act and feel realistic to the senses. This realism helps inoculate the trainee to the shock of seeing serious injury and affects how certain procedures are performed. There continues to be significant advances in realistic-looking synthetic materials that accurately replicate skin, blood, bone and organ density.

Q: Your office recently asked industry for information on medical multi-task and part-task trainers. What role do you see for these types of systems?

A: One of PM MedSim’s roles is to develop synergy within the organization to optimize the procurement of medical simulators. It is critical that we are capable of providing the best simulation capability to meet user needs and remain abreast of technological advances that influence technology refreshment programs. Part-task and multitask medical trainers are at the foundation of quality clinical simulation. Patient simulation technology has become an integral part in educating health care providers at all levels. Deliberate rehearsals in a risk-free environment, whether in a hospital or an austere location, allow providers to hone their proficiency and decision-making in complex emergency interventions. Our goal is to understand the capabilities of industry as we seek to meet user needs. Industry gives us the pulse on current and future medical simulation technology and capabilities.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add?

A: PM MedSim is dedicated to providing solutions that improve the training and sustainment of Army health care providers while reducing total ownership cost. Through an interagency agreement with the Veterans Hospital Administration (VHA), PM MedSim is able to leverage VHA medical modeling and simulation advancements for Department of Defense providers throughout the Military Health System. We have also recently added Lieutenant Colonel Dan Irizarry, M.D., to our staff. Dr. Irizarry is a board-certified family physician with experience in both combat and clinic based medicine. His role is to provide advice and assistance in synergizing acquisition with clinical imperatives to field solutions best fulfill requirements, and ultimately, save lives and improve health care. O MT2  20.2 | 11

Spotlight on Medical Simulation

Medical simulation plays a critical role in maintaining operational readiness for military medics, and the developers who provide these solutions are consistently using innovative technologies to meet the needs of the military.

At the same time, the military is one of the most important markets for medical simulation, providing much of the funding for development and offering some of the most pressing needs for it.

The medical simulation industry is a large and growing field, encompassing technologies from mannequins and simulated blood to virtual patient avatars. In general, the market is segmented into mannequin-based simulation, web-based simulation, simulation software and simulation training services. Growth factors include the increasing focus on training of medical practitioners, rising health care costs, focus on patient safety and demand for minimally invasive technologies.

Although medical simulation is becoming critical throughout the health care industry, military applications have played a large part in its success and funding. Some examples of scenarios useful for medical applications include casualty assessment, war trauma response, emergency evacuations, training for communications between teams, team/individual after action assessment and scenario recreation from recorded data.

Medical simulation of combat trauma through the use of mock injuries applied to people, dummies or fake body parts to emulate casualties provides a realistic combat environment while also lessening psychological trauma experienced by former students when exposed to actual injuries.

Following is a list of the leading companies in the field.

12 | MT2 20.2

CSC CSE Software Inc.

Human-Centered Engineering

Aptima Matt Puglisi mpuglisi@aptima.com www.aptima.com

Dedicated Computing Mike Pape mike.pape@dedicatedcomputing.com www.dedicatedcomputing.com

B-Line Medical Bohemia Interactive Simulations CAE Healthcare

Defense Logistics Support Inc. Design Interactive Inc.

CHI Systems Inc.

WWW.STRATEGIC-OPERATIONS.COM

(858) 244 - 0559

www.MT2-kmi.com

Spotlight on Medical Simulation Diamond Visionics Discovery Machine Inc. Engineering & Computer Simulations

Gaumard Scientific Company Fathia Lyn sales@gaumard.com www.gaumard.com

General Dynamics Information Technology Heartwood Inc. ICF International

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. Laerdal Medical

Pocket Nurse

Syndaver Labs Techline Technologies

Polhemus

Leidos

John Farr jfarr@polhemus.com www.polhemus.com/micro-sensors

Lockheed Martin

Saab

Vcom3D Inc.

Medical Simulation Corp.

SAIC

Carol Wideman carolw@vcom3d.com www.vcom3d.com

Medical Training Consultants

Simbionix USA Corp.

Mimic Simulation MYMIC LLC Nasco NGRAIN

Simetri SIMmerion LLC Simulab Corp.

Virtual Heroes— A Division of ARA

Smooth-On Inc.

Randy Brown randy.brown@virtualheroes.com www.virtualheroes.com

STRATEGIC H Y P E R -R E A LI S TI C TM

PERATIONS M E D I C A L TR A I N I N G

IngMar Medical

Operative Experience Inc.

Strategic Operations Inc.

Innovation in Learning

Organic Motion

Interact Medical

Kit Lavell kit@e-stops.com www.strategic-operations.com

pocket nurse

Virtual Reality Medical Center

MICRO SENSOR 1.8

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MT2 20.2 | 13

DATA PACKETS Cloud Simulations Enhance Training Realism

Sundog Software has released version 4 of its SilverLining Sky, 3-D Cloud and Weather SDK for simulation and game developers. The update offers a new representation of stratus and overcast cloud layers with 3-D depth, and a physically rigorous simulation of how light scatters within thick clouds.

“SilverLining 4’s new stratus clouds are so realistic you’ll even see effects like fogbows, glories and anti-solar points on them, and it just falls naturally out of the math behind it all,” said Frank Kane, founder of Sundog Software. “The stratus clouds also have a new level of 3-D detail that makes them seem even more real, and that’s especially important in today’s virtual reality applications.”

SilverLining 4 achieves these effects by rigorously simulating the scattering of light within clouds using the best model available: Mie scattering, which is simulated down to 0.1 degree resolution at multiple wavelengths. By taking advantage of the capabilities of modern graphics cards, this level of detail can be applied to cloud layers 200 kilometers across, while still running at hundreds of frames per second.

“It’s all about creating immersive virtual environments,” Kane said.

“In an outdoor scene, an overcast sky might make up half of the image. If it doesn’t look real, your brain will pick up on that. We especially don’t want that to happen in flight training and simulation, where the reduced visibility associated with these clouds is a big deal.”

Frank Kane; fkane@sundog-soft.com

Simulator Improves Navigation Maintenance Training The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS), working with Surface Training Systems Program Office at the Naval Sea Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, is completing the development and installation of a training simulator funded by Surface Warfare Resource Sponsor to improve shipboard navigation system maintenance training.

The need for a new training approach was driven by navigation mishap investigation reports and combat missions requiring precise navigation data. This new integrated navigation training solution teaches electronics technicians the interrelationships of shipboard navigation architecture and its importance in effective weapon system employment.

Navigation systems in Navy surface ships are made up of various components that obtain or distribute navigation data throughout the ship to multiple ship systems. But current training methodology approaches each system individually and does not present the technicians with an opportunity to train in a system of systems environment.

“In order to overcome the training gap, a Navigation System Maintenance Trainer (NSMT) is being installed at CSCS Unit Dam Neck that will feature a training system composed of simulation devices and technical training equipment,” said Captain Len Remias, CSCS Unit Dam Neck commanding officer. “The NSMT will permit electronics technicians to receive hands on training in preventive and corrective maintenance troubleshooting procedures. In addition, the NSMT will train students on all the components of the complex navigation system network.”

Alliance to Develop Rotary-Wing Training Solution AgustaWestland North America, Bristow Group, Doss Aviation and Rockwell Collins have announced that they are in discussions to develop a turnkey solution to address the rotary-wing pilot training needs of U.S. military and government customers. The solution would provide for total life cycle support and management centered on the United States-built AW119 helicopter, the best-in-class, single-engine aircraft that is a versatile platform for pilot training. The services-based support solution would include provision of training helicopters, simulators, ground instruction, fleet management and maintenance of the aircraft.

This support model offers a distinct advantage to military and government customers in that they no longer have to incur the significant costs associated with acquiring this new technology fleet, nor the infrastructure to support it.

“This solution will lift the financial burden of buying and ease the burden of supporting commercial aircraft for government and military customers with pilot training needs,” said Robert LaBelle, CEO of AgustaWestland North America. “It will allow them to focus their vital

14 | MT2 20.2

resources on core military missions instead of investing unnecessarily to recapitalize a total end-to-end pilot training system. With the contribution of other consortium partners, this solution will also capitalize on AgustaWestland’s experience in delivering turnkey support and training solutions on a global basis in both the commercial and government markets.”

The four companies developing the solution are leaders in their respective industries with extensive experience in pilot training, fleet management, operations and maintenance. AgustaWestland is one of the world’s most innovative manufacturers of rotary-wing aircraft, training and support solutions. Bristow Group is a global leader in fleet operations, maintenance and pilot training, including the world-renowned Bristow Academy. Doss Aviation provides fixed- and rotary-wing pilot and flight training for the U.S. Army and Air Force, while Rockwell Collins is a global supplier of avionics equipment, flight simulation systems and services.

The AW119 is a modern helicopter built and assembled at AgustaWestland’s U.S. facility in Philadelphia, Pa.

www.MT2-kmi.com

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Laser Projection System Boosts Brightness, Contrast Christie, a provider of digital projection solutions, has announced its laser projection system platform and products.

Anchored by the Christie Freedom laser illumination system, the Christie Solaria CP42LH (Cinema), Christie D4K60LH (ProVenue) and Christie Mirage 4KLH (Immersive Environments) models are now available for widespread adoption, having been field-proven with key Christie customers in 2014/2015 in both publicly announced and non-disclosed installations.

“By providing from 5,000 to 60,000 lumen brightness, 4K resolution and on up to the Rec. 2020 color space for the best color reproduction in the industry,

Christie’s RGB laser systems are setting new standards for incredible brightness, wider color gamut and astounding contrast,” said Don Shaw, senior director, product management, Christie. “With this announcement, Christie redefines what the world’s best shared experiences are capable of by increasing performance and capabilities across multiple applications and markets.”

The Christie laser projection system used in all models is based on a scalable laser light source with a choice of projection heads and a fiber cable that connects the laser light source with the projection head. The complete laser

Navy Seeks Improved Sonar Training Under a contract with the Navy, Charles River Analytics, a developer of intelligent systems solutions, will improve sonar training for the Navy. The system for Sonar Training, Motivation, Assessment, Tailoring and Enhanced Remediation (ST-MASTER) aims to improve sonar training and operation on ships conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

ASW is a vital strategic concern to the Navy since hostile submarines can pose serious threats to naval forces and seaborne lines of communication. “For ASW-capable surface ships, reaching and maintaining ASW proficiency is complicated by the lack of opportunities to interact with submarine targets,” explained Navy Captain Wayne Thornton (Ret.), principal investigator on ST-MASTER at Charles River.

To address this issue, the Navy has developed Surface ASW Synthetic Trainer (SAST), a system for conducting high-fidelity synthetic training to improve the sonar proficiency of ASW-capable surface ships. The Navy seeks to improve the ability of commanders to assess the sonar readiness of their units, as well as providing for sonar operators and teams being able to assess themselves.

“We are developing and evaluating ST-MASTER to work with the Navy’s SAST to improve sonar training and provide timely, detailed feedback on sonar proficiency,” continued Thornton. “It will incorporate motivation models, assess users’ motivation levels and provide tailored feedback enhanced by immersive learning simulation features.”

ST-MASTER includes a number of innovative features to improve individual and team motivation and learning, such as motivation models that harness both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. It also takes a novel approach to tailor training and feedback for individuals and teams by using intelligent agents to modify training scenarios and customize rewards to achieve proficiency goals and dynamically maintain motivation. www.MT2-kmi.com

projection system is engineered to produce high brightness levels and exceptional color utilizing a high-bit-depth 4K resolution imaging engine.

The Christie Freedom laser illumination system’s modularity allows for 5000 lumen increments (‘steps of light’) output per module in a rack-mounted array of modules. The Laser Module consists of multiple RGB lasers, a cooling system and a fiber connection, which allows each module to be self-contained, thus providing modular redundancy to the Christie Freedom laser illumination system.

Mike Garrido; mike.garrido@christiedigital.com

Image Software Produces High-Fidelity Environments

TerraSim, a Bohemia Interactive Simulations company, recently showcased new product innovations that included MaterialMAP 1.2, the upcoming release of image classification software that generates, attributes and exports surface material maps for use in a variety of modeling and simulation runtimes, such as VBS2/3, Steel Beasts Pro, OneSAF OTF, JCATS and JSAF CTDB. These surface material maps are used to determine entity mobility and routing, visual effects and sensor simulation, all of which produce higher-fidelity environments for more accurate training.

Key new features within MaterialMAP 1.2 include faster image processing and classification; new reassignment tools to redefine classified pixels to other surface types; vector import support to supplement image classification and pixel reassignment; aggregation support for VBS3 extended surfaces; and a new defined class for storing vector polygons to preset pixel colors.

TerraSim will also be demonstrating new functionality planned for TerraTools 5.1, the next version of the company’s flagship terrain generation software. Notable features include new and continued support of the latest runtime updates across constructive, visual and serious simulation; importation of geospatial data and model content from the CDB terrain format; and file and personal geodatabase import improvements.

Spencer Huff; sch@terrasim.com

MT2 20.2 | 15

Skill Builder

Q& A

Training that Resonates with a New Generation

Rear Admiral Michael S. White Commander Naval Education and Training Command Rear Admiral Michael S. White became the 18th commander of the Naval Education and Training Command on January 24, 2014.

His career as a naval aviator includes assignments with Attack Squadron (VA) 72, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, executive and commanding officer of VFA-137, air operations officer for Carrier Group One, and deputy commander and commander, CVW-5.

White’s assignments to shore and staff billets include Naval Strike Warfare Center, Bureau of Naval Personnel, VFA-125, director of the commander’s action group at U.S. Northern Command, director of Aviation Career Management Division (PERS 43) at Navy Personnel Command, the chief operating officer for Naval Education and Training Command and assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for Career Management (PERS-4).

White also served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 (Nimitz Strike Group) completing a deployment that included exercises in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas. He has flown more than 3,800 flight hours and made more than 1,000 carrier-arrested landings.

He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Colorado and earned a Master of Arts degree from Webster University in 2005.

White was interviewed by MT2 Editor Harrison Donnelly.

Q. In your first year as commander of NETC, what have been your greatest challenges and achievements?

A: My big challenge coming here was in understanding the magnitude of the training domain. On any given day, 30,000 or more sailors are in training at some location around the world. Because of that magnitude, we have tremendous leaders who ensure that production continues and that training is effective and efficient.

They are overseeing the IT systems, labs and classrooms that go into training, making good decisions and balancing priorities. So I have the privilege of watching them operate. Any organization this large brings with it the constant set of balancing priorities, when we want to put more sailors of a certain type through, for example, and how we repurpose our training to flex with the needs of the fleet.

On the positive side, it’s been inspirational when I go out and visit our centers, and get to meet young men and women who have chosen to serve their country in a tumultuous time. It’s great to see their dedication and desire to serve and contribute. That is the highlight of what I do.

16 | MT2 20.2

Q: What are some of the key programs or initiatives you plan on implementing in 2015?

A: You may have seen Vice Admiral Bill Moran, chief of naval personnel, talk about how we must adapt our training system, which has evolved over time but is still very much a rote system where everyone goes through the same classes at the same time, into something that is tailored to the individual, and that the sailor of 2025 would be more accustomed to. We have a lot of technology that is already developed and more that is emerging, which, for example, enables us to take a reconfigurable flat screen and display on it the exact type of engine that a sailor might work on. Rather than having one training device that everyone used going through their primary school, we will be able to get them hands-on experience on a basic device, and then show exactly what they are going to see when they report to their unit. We’re starting to bring those reconfigurable trainers online now, which is one of the most exciting things we are doing. It enhances the realism of what sailors will see and better prepares them for what they are going to do. It resonates with this generation of learners.

Another exciting area is what we are calling “eSailor,” which we are going to pilot in a few weeks by handing out tablet devices to our newest recruits. On the devices, we will have various publications, such as the Bluejackets Manual, and will also experiment with serious games—gaming technology designed to help people learn. www.MT2-kmi.com

They will also have other tools that we haven’t had before. We will see how this resonates with this group of sailors, and how we can apply our investment to make that a bigger project, and truly put a device into the hands of sailors that enhances their performance and learning all the way through their training.

Q: What changes would you like to see in the Navy’s A schools? If you break the “one school, one time” model for basic training, as you have suggested, what do you replace it with?

A: We will always have an obligation to teach some fundamental skills to new sailors, such as safety and life-protective equipment. We need to emphasize procedural compliance and checklists, and in many cases teach basic tools skills if they don’t have that experience. There is a place in the A schools to deliver all of these safety, procedure and compliance skills, as well as A student at Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School tapes a fuse prior to removal during a training scenario in the Tools and Methods division. The school provides high-risk, specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to more the theory behind it. If you are going to be an electri- than 2,200 U.S. and partner nation military and selected U.S. government personnel each year. [Photo courtesy of U.S. cian’s mate, you need to understand the basic theory Navy/by Ensign Elizabeth Allen/Released] are in a classroom, with an avatar for the instructor. We can use of electricity. I believe that this requirement will continue to exist blackboard and smartboard programs so that a subject-matter exas our starting point. But what I would like to see in the future is pert, perhaps sitting at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center in that we deliver these basics to sailors at the start of their careers, Dahlgren, Va., could teach a class to someone in Spain. I think that and give them the skills they need to operate for the first 18 to 24 technology has yet to mature to the level we want, but we are exmonths on their ship, squadron or submarine. Then we bring them perimenting and prototyping it now. back, and now that they have had some hands-on experience and have spent time holding a checklist in their hand, we can take them Q: How are you working with the fleet to better enable readiness? to an advanced level much more quickly using some of the technology we talked about, but also capitalizing on the experience they A: Our goal is to make sure that as soon as a sailor walks across the have to accelerate that part of their learning. Rather than teach evbrow of the ship he has been assigned to, we have imparted as much erything up front, let’s give them a basic set of skills to get started, knowledge as we can upon him. The place I think I can help in the and then after they have had their hands on the equipment for a readiness equation is to get training that is very specific to a unit a bit, pull them back and help them understand on a deeper level. sailor will go to, whether at the accession level or later in a career, That’s where I’d like to take our A schools, and beyond them create so that when they walk aboard, they know the exact type of radar or a continuum of learning across a career. In that continuum, we software that they are going to use, which they have been able to get need refresher training as well. For example, you may be a machintrained on through simulation. I believe this will produce sailors ist’s mate who spent three years as a recruiter. When it is time for who are better prepared to fulfill their billet the moment they walk you to return to sea, you may not have touched an engine for three aboard their unit, and lead to better readiness. years, and things may have changed. So we owe it to you to provide refresher training so you are ready for that assignment.

Q: How do you get the latest information on what equipment and systems they are using and how things have changed?

Q: What are your plans for bringing more advanced training to the forward-deployed sailor?

A: In the formal sense, we have human performance requirements reviews. We bring in sailors and learning experts who review the A: In the near term, one plan is to use “flat-panel simulation,” formaterial for a certain rating, and decide if it is still relevant or needs mally known as the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System. to be updated. That happens every two to three years for every ratIt’s a flat-panel screen that we can display anything on. It’s not just ing, and that is how we keep our basic courseware up to speed. We a touchscreen, but [it] also has some tactile motions, such as the also try to distribute training effectiveness surveys. Most of our turning motion of a wrench. The bottom line is that instead of havlearning centers are in three concentration areas, so we can get a ing to build a large training device and place it in a building in an pretty good amount of feedback from instructors and fleet leaders. overseas location, now we have screens that we can put in virtually But we probably have some work to do to formalize that process, any classroom, and update or load them with the equipment the and I think we’ll have to do that when we move to this continuum sailors there are working on, and allow them to get upgrades in of learning. training right where they live and work. That’s for the near term— to keep moving this type of technology out to classrooms all over Q: What benefits do you see from adoption of virtualized classroom the world, and then leverage what it can do for us. In the longer instruction, and how do they compare with more traditional term, we’re starting to experiment with virtual worlds. In virtual teleconference instruction? worlds, you are at a computer terminal, and it appears as if you www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2 20.2 | 17

A: We’ve just done a small pilot using virtual world technology.

What separated this from a standard teleconference was the fact that we could link the sailor to training equipment. We conducted the pilot with sonar men who were at computer terminals. They would interact with a training sonar system in a separate location, and the instructor was able to monitor what the student was doing.

Instead of just a one-way delivery, like a teleconference would offer, we now had an instructor watching students manipulate their console and providing feedback as if they were standing over their shoulders. That is an exciting way to deliver remote training, but much more technologically challenging than a teleconference. We started the pilot with initial A school students, taught them using the virtual classroom and then compared their exam scores with those of students who were taught in the traditional way. In our first run, the scores were nearly identical, so we determined we didn’t lose anything going this way. But we did learn much about how to deliver instruction and how instructors need to understand the virtual world. So we’re looking forward to continuing to research and develop this technology and experiment with it. The vision is that one day if a ship home ported in Singapore needed some upgrade training, we could deliver it to them without flying a group of instructors there. We’ll get there, although it may take a few years.

Q: What do you see as the mission of the Center for Information Dominance (CID), and how are you moving to streamline training there?

A: The CID covers a lot of our ratings, from what you could call cyber-warriors to the basic information technicians who keep our networks running day to day. The exciting development we have had there is what we call digital tutoring. This is a technology that many people are probably familiar with, where a sailor is at the digital tutor console, and the curriculum they are receiving is in a constant feedback loop so that if a sailor appears to have mastered a topic, he moves past it quickly. But if he struggles, it is reinforced multiple times. We have done some pilot tests, and it was hard to pry the sailors off the machines at the end of the day because it was so engaging. It reached them at a curiosity level and a motivational level that made them want to learn. What the digital tutor does is get us away from having to teach every sailor at the same pace in a classroom. They work at their pace as the machine delivers it. It’s pretty exciting technology. Our first class is going to start soon, and we’ll be tracking them very closely to see how their performance is. This is another opportunity to revolutionize how we train.

forward as well. The last thing applies more to our soft skills—the avatar and serious game technologies. You can use an avatar to help teach counseling skills, or even suicide prevention, such as recognizing when a peer is in distress. Some of the avatar technologies coming forward are taking us out of a role-playing mode and into something that immerses the student and really brings the knowledge transfer. Serious games is another area—the idea that a sailor can play a game and walk away with some knowledge.

Q: What role does industry play in the command’s work, and how could both government and companies change in order to improve the way they do business together?

A: All of the things I’ve described to you did not come from my office, but from the smart people in industry. The things that they are presenting to us, and what we are learning from various conferences, have opened our minds on how we break away from the sequential group training methodology into something that is tailored, personable and immersive for the sailor. So we will continue to watch very closely what industry develops and figure out how to capitalize on that. What we owe industry is a better coordination of our learning requirements. If aviation needs a trainer for a plane, they will buy a single trainer, and if the surface community needs a trainer they will buy one as well. But what we have found is that there are best practices in industry that we could leverage across these community stovepipes to create a better experience for our sailors. We are trying to look at training solutions that are applicable across a variety of areas.

Q: As a performance-driven organization, how does the NETC measure success?

A: This is an interesting question for us. We can measure that a student, at least at the time she took the test, had absorbed the knowledge to pass it. That’s good information, but what we need to measure more effectively is how they perform on the job when they go to their first tour. We have some survey mechanisms to do that, but we have not matured to a level where we can rapidly assimilate that feedback, since it goes through a relatively long process. There are some exciting technologies out there, so that when people train on electronic devices, we can monitor more closely what they mastered quickly and what they struggled with. That will help us understand the weaknesses in our training, so that we get everyone to an appropriate level. We haven’t delved far into that, but we’re very interested in how some of these measurement techniques available with many devices can help us produce a better sailor.

Q: What new education and training technologies do you see as having the greatest potential for NETC?

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say?

A: The one that I think will really give us some leverage is the reconfigurable training system I mentioned. This allows us to say that this morning this will be a destroyer, and this afternoon it will be a cruiser. Then we will be able to give sailors an immersive experience of the ship or aircraft they will go to. The second emerging area is first-person gaming. If we can model the inside of a ship and have a sailor walk through as in a first-person game, and conduct a material inspection, for example, or go through the steps for damage control in a very immersive way, that will be an exciting step

A: We’re at a transitional time. The technology of learning is really emerging and becoming affordable at the same time that we are having a new generation of sailors come to the Navy with different skills. They are very adept at using their mobile devices to their advantage, which was not a skill I brought into the Navy 32 years ago! If we can leverage what they already know and build the foundational skills they will need to operate in the fleet, we can produce sailors who are better trained in a more rapid manner and motivated to do their jobs. It’s an exciting time to be here. O

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New systems support increased reliance on simulation by cutting costs and offering improved visual results.

By Erin Flynn Jay MT2 Correspondent

aircraft,” said Lieutenant Commander Dave Hunter, HC-144A With the aid of rapid technological progress in the coninstructor pilot. sumer movie and television markets, projectors used for miliA primary challenge facing trainers is to affordably move tary training are providing the lower costs and improved remore of the training out of the aircraft and into the simulated sults needed to meet the challenge of increasing reliance on environment, noted Tom Stites, special projects manager for simulation systems.

JVC’s Visual Systems Division. In the past, howKey trends in projector training for the ever, the resolution of available projectors and military include reducing maintenance time the required image generators to drive them limand support costs of projector-based visual sysited their ability to do this. tems; 20/20 visual acuity; reduced motion blur JVC’s primary product for the U.S. military and improved dynamic response with greater is the DLA-SH7, a 4000 lumen, 4096x2400 lumen efficiency; and day, night and all-weath(10 megapixel) projector that, over the last four er night vision goggle (NVG) simulation and years, has been widely adopted for “fast jet” sensor integration. training applications.

The needs are evident at the Coast Guard’s “The projector is based on JVC Kenwood’s Aviation Training Center, which provides initial, direct-drive image light amplification (D-ILA) recurrent and upgrade training for the HC-144, Tom Stites technology, a distinct form of liquid crystal on MH-60 and MH-65 aircraft using a blend of interactive courseware, lectures, simulator events tstites@us.jvckenwood.com silicon (LCoS) technology. A smaller number of our HD resolution 2K projectors are also used and flight events. for less demanding applications, often in rotorcraft simula“Many of the more challenging events are placed in the tors,” he said. simulators to reduce the risk to students and aircraft and to “Stimulated NVG training was also quite challenging. Now, provide a more realistic training environment for the students. that is no longer the case. The challenge now is being able Some of these high-risk evolutions include failures of the ento do this affordably, given the budget constraints this market gines, flight control systems and other critical systems to the

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“One example of high acuity of view would be the Boeing Constant Resolution Visual System (CRVS), which was the first visual system installed in four-ship mission training centers around the world to support 20/40 visual acuity over the full field of view of an air superiority fighter cockpit,” he added.

Several hundred ultra-high-definition projectors have been delivered as part of the Boeing CRVS over the last three years. The CRVS also provides high-fidelity NVG stimulation using flight hardware goggles. A high-deployability training example would be the Apache Longbow crew trainer, which provides a high-fidelity visual and sensor training environment in an air mobile container.

Boeing began installing LED-based projectors to replace the original CRT projectors in these devices more than four years ago and has now provided more than 200 of these solid-state, light-source projectors to the program.

“In considering what type of light source to use for each projector application, the type of projection screen must be considered. Front projection screens are relatively inefficient because of the large size required to enclose the cockpit and allow for front projection from within the dome or partial dome. Such front projection displays require arc lamp illumination to meet the high lumen output requirements.

Rear projection screens are much more efficient, but are more prone to speckle, especially with laser illuminated projectors,” said Streid.

Boeing has worked with the major suppliers of rear projection screens to develop screens that are less susceptible to speckle and are well-positioned to begin fielding laser illuminated projectors to satisfy full-field-of-view training applications at higher reliability and reduced operating costs.

In the future, Boeing plans to continue expanding the types of training tasks that can be performed in the simulator by integrating projector technologies that have met the demanding reliability requirements of the commercial marketplace. “The pace of innovation in the display industry today requires the expansion of the traditional integrator’s role of simply cabling up off-the-shelf projectors. Exploiting today’s projector technology requires leveraging image generator and database capabilities,” said Streid.

Harry Streid “More recently, Boeing is improving the visual harry.streid@boeing.com system dynamic response as required for the most demanding man-in-the-loop training applications by exploiting emerging 120 Hz projector update capability with a unique IG architecture,” he continued. “Going forward, particular emphasis will be placed upon integration of projector based visual systems with sensors and helmet displays, especially for the wide range of visual training environments encountered in nighttime tactical scenarios.”

segment is laboring under. We have brought the projector side of the equation down considerably over the past four years and will continue that trend even further as we progress with new technologies,” said Stites.

Until recently, all JVC projectors used a reliable, high-performance lamp-based illumination system. The alternate illumination technologies did not lend themselves to their core D-ILA imaging design without severely limiting their brightness and contrast ratio capabilities or driving the cost to an unacceptably high level.

“We are now manufacturing our 2K projectors with our new long-life BluEscent Laser-Hybrid illumination system. This system provides illumination system lifetime of 20,000 [hours] to more than 40,000, depending on output level, without sacrificing any of the image attributes that our D-ILA technology is known for,” said Stites. “Maintenance costs for lamp changes and calibration can be substantially reduced over the lifetime of the projector. I expect to see broader adoption of BluEscent technology in our product line as we move forward.”

JVC’s path forward will address the challenge of more affordably providing solutions that bring “eye-limiting” resolution to a wider array of training devices and applications, while reducing the long-term cost of ownership. The company has started this with its e-shift technologies, in both the 4K and 8K class of projectors, and will continue to push the boundaries of performance in all areas.

Performance Requirements

Boeing provides projector-based visual systems to U.S. and foreign militaries to satisfy a broad range of aircrew training requirements. It uses training task analysis and visual system design tools to select projectors to satisfy the unique performance and supportability requirements of each program.

“Projector characteristics evaluated as part of each selection process include resolution, brightness, ANSI and sequential contrast, power consumption, cost of consumables, NVG stimulation characteristics and motion-base compatibility,” said Harry Streid, associate technical fellow for Boeing Training Systems and Government Services. “Although there are additional features that have been designed into purpose-built simulation peculiar projectors in the past, many of these features, such as warp and blending, can now be added to the image generator by the system integrator and be performed more cost-effectively there.”

With the pace of innovation in projector technology no longer being driven by the simulation and training industry, Boeing is looking more toward the digital cinema and consumer marketplace for state-of-the art products. Projector types currently being fielded by Night Vision Misty Dawson Boeing use all of the major projector technologies, including D-ILA, LCoS and DLP. Rockwell Collins provides several projector platmisty.dawson Boeing has met a number of major challenges in forms to the U.S. military. “We offer our ProSim ul@rockwellcollins.com support of military training commands, Streid noted. tra-contrast projector, which was recently awarded “Depending upon the aircraft platform, training task set and training Military Training Technology’s Blue Ribbon for Innovation. ProSim environment, these challenges have included high acuity (approachwas designed to meet the demands of complex military and commering 20/20) over a full field of view, high deployability and high supcial aviation training requirements by providing the darkest night portability, combined with night and NVG training in addition to day/ and night vision system capabilities while still delivering full-brightnight and all weather conditions. ness light points and realistic daytime scenes,” said Misty Dawson, 20 | MT2 20.2

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The DLA-SH7NLG is an advanced 4K2K projector incorporating three 1.27-inch 4K2K D-ILA display devices. It produces extremely high-quality images for use in planetariums, museums, simulators and medical institutions. [Photo courtesy of JVC]

programs manager, display and projector products with Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions.

“The projector enhances simulation using Rockwell Collins’ patented fourth panel technology to achieve an industry-leading native contrast ratio without the use of a light-limiting iris or filter.

In addition to our own projector series, Rockwell Collins also offers third-party commercial projectors with Rockwell Collins-designed enhancements to meet specific U.S. military requirements by incorporating features such as control software, electronic and optical blending, and automatic alignment,” she explained.

Military forces rely heavily on enhanced vision systems such as night vision and helmet-mounted display devices, but training with these devices presents a challenge in simulation when trying to replicate the real world in an out-the-window display. Since the transition from CRT-based calligraphic projectors to fixed matrix displays such as LCoS, LCD and DLP, replicating a true night scene has required technology enhancements, as these architectures inherently allow residual levels of brightness that prevent a true black image.

Rockwell Collins has addressed the black level issue with a patented technology utilized in the ProSim projector. It radically improves the dark level of fixed matrix displays without reliance on filters or irises that compromise the peak whites needed to recreate a realistic scene usable for training.

“This allows us to project a true night sky, greater scene content such as cultural lighting and landing lights, and effects like flares and explosions. In addition, this technology eliminates the need for optical masks typically placed in front of a projector to create good blending at various times of day and night. Because our projectors are purpose-built with simulation in mind, our technology enables simulation and training content without compromises such as optical blend masks or irises,” said Dawson.

The projection device cannot be assessed independent of the visual system, as there are challenges that require high levels of integration between the projector and the rest of the display to create an enabling solution to overall training requirements. “Projectors are typically used in multichannel environments to create a truly immersive reality. One challenge is how to combine those devices into a system that presents multiple projectors as a single seamwww.MT2-kmi.com

With its 2nd-generation LED illumination system, the Barco FL35 offers double the resolution and 50 percent more brightness than any other LED-illuminated projector. [Photo courtesy of Barco]

less image,” said Dawson. “Our Griffin rear-projected dome offers a seamless 25-channel solution that utilizes Rockwell Collins’ autoalignment to align the geometry, tune luminance, chromaticity, gamma, and edge-blends automatically.”

Another challenge at the display system level is that the coating selection of a projection screen, lens choices and incident angles of projected light can radically impact the resulting brightness and contrast a pilot perceives from the eyepoint. Rockwell Collins addresses this issue by taking an integrated systems engineering approach to address all training requirements and ensure that the display system meets the training needs of the military.

The company’s current offerings include mature lamp-based technology that offers much higher brightness than legacy CRTbased lighting and current LED technology. The higher brightness projector platforms enable them to utilize more robust screen coating approaches, which create a higher-contrast scene than would be available with a lower light output projector.

High-contrast systems make it easier to resolve details in imagery and provide a better training experience than low-contrast systems. Contrast affects the perceived resolution and lowcontrast images look washed out. For NVG stimulation, a good ratio of infrared to visible emission is needed to properly stimulate night vision systems.

“Projector-based training in the future will continue to improve as new technology is introduced and existing technology is enhanced. Solid-state lighting also is improving, with trends showing increases in brightness and the emergence of laser phosphor platforms. These improvements, coupled with improved life cycle costs, will provide cost of ownership savings for the military,” said Dawson.

“We have also been fielding high-resolution 4K projectors on military programs for several years, and now that the consumer and entertainment industries have embraced that technology, we can feel confident it is here to stay,” she said. “Higher frame rates also open up opportunity at the system level to reduce smearing and blur to provide less distraction in fast-paced scene content.”

There are no display devices currently in the market that enable full field-of-regard training that mimics the real world like mosaiced projection based display systems. “These systems are capable MT2 20.2 | 21

to play a prominent role in training devices used in both military and commercial training applications,” Fluegeman predicted. “Resolution and speed will continue to advance, with 4K 120Hz on the doorstep.

But these will be gradual adoptions, as moving to these performance levels puts a great demand on the image generator, and can drive additional cost via the need to upgrade performance on the compute side of the visual system.”

of beyond 20/20 performance in a full 360-degree immersive environment, providing content beyond users’ peripheral vision no matter where they look,” said Dawson. “We will continue to watch both projector trends and other display trends to find the best fit for enabling simulation displays. The question for the future will be how much realism we need in training, and how can simulation and training providers most efficiently enable that reality as technology continues to advance.”

Lighting Techniques

David Fluegeman

Color Imagery

dave.fluegeman@barco.com

Digital Projection provides a wide variety of projectors for use by the military. Its 3-chip DLP Titan Barco provides a scalable line of DLP-based projectors are used in many command and control projectors, which range from the very compact and applications as well as in research and development lightweight F22 model up to the larger and more and simulation applications where the Titan’s brightlight-intensive 3-chip F85 model. “The F22 model is ness, 120 Hz capability, portrait mode capability, and well-suited for helicopter simulators with its possibilreliability are desired features. ity to project with a higher vertical field of view, while “Our 1-chip DLP M-Vision LED projectors are the F85 model is ideal for applications demanding used on flight trainers, forward observer trainmore light, like ship bridge simulators,” said David ers and other trainers where their good brightFluegeman, director of training and simulation for ness, great color imagery and NVG compatibility Barco. “We have chosen to use DLP technology to enprovide a robust, low-cost projector solution,” said sure the projectors are future-proof with a stable imPhil Laney Phil Laney, director of simulation and visualizaage year after year, and we’ve designed all the projecplaney@digitalprojection.com tion. “Our 3-chip DLP HIGHlite projectors are tors to operate 24/7, which is a huge benefit for the used by the military in many secure rooms where we do not know military, trains round the clock and has a key concern about cost.” how they are being used, but we do know that the projector’s Barco provides lamp- and LED-based projectors to the training brightness, warp and edge-blending capability were desired features and simulation industry. Both lighting technologies are highly reliby those end-users.” able and proven in all segments of the market. However, FluegeFrom the projector display point of view, Laney said, the trainman said, deploying LED-based projectors, particularly in high-use ing commands have challenges in finding projectors that can meet simulators, can substantially reduce the total cost of ownership over training needs while being reasonably priced and having low costs the life of a simulator compared with lamp-based projectors. This of operation. is due to several factors, including the limited number of moving Digital Projection says it offers the highest number of projector parts in the projector, little no need for calibration after the initial models with solid-state illumination, as well as the brightest solidinstall, and an LED life expectancy of up to 100,000 hours. Additionstate projectors in LED and laser-phosphor illumination. ally, because the LED has a greater color gamut with high contrast The company markets three lines of LED projectors in brightand deep black levels, LED-based projectors provide a very rich color ness up to 3,000 lumens and up to 4K resolution with 60,000 hours palette, which improves overall image quality. of run time for the LED illuminators. These projectors have options Barco recently introduced its first laser phosphor DLP projector, for IR channels for NVG stimulation, dimming, smear reduction and and continues to adapt its designs to achieve the form/fit/function/ many other features. price profile that the simulation market demands.

“The future holds great promise for display systems. Along with Positive training demands realism—total immersion in the the expected march to higher resolutions, I expect higher contrast task or mission without direct cognizance of being in a simulator. levels and greater color space will be two projector drivers to even “The challenge faced by military training commands worldwide is better perceived resolution with a better ability to resolve targets at to provide high-fidelity trainers that deliver the positive training our a distance,” Laney said. troops demand, while dealing with an environment of constantly “Most projectors these days can only reproduce about 30 perstrained acquisition and operational budgets. By providing a scalcent of the colors we see in the real world,” he continued. “New able product line that can deliver high levels of visual acuity at variprojectors, including models from Digital Projection, offer the ous price points, Barco can address any program requirement and ability to reproduce up to 70 percent of all colors the eye can see. deliver exceptional visual quality,” said Fluegeman.

A greater dynamic range for contrast and color are areas being exProjector-based simulators have a promising path forward in the ploited now in the projector industry that the military will eventumilitary training market, he continued. “Projectors still provide the ally benefit from.” O best pixel precision of any display technology used, and they provide truly immersive, seamless, and realistic environments for training while being cost-efficient, especially when you think about full 360-degree dome systems and complex curved screen designs.

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Hank Donnelly at hankd@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives “Projectors, along with adjacent developments in continuous for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com. color balancing, auto-calibration, and warp/blending, will continue 22 | MT2 20.2

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“Game-changing” methods include social media, big data analytics, advanced metrics and digital tutoring.

By Harrison Donnelly, MT2 Editor “What’s cool about a MOOC is that it The United States faces a looming crisis allows you to teach a lot of people simulof military readiness, and new training techtaneously, and it uses the social media nologies could play a key role in the remedy, component to reach people in the course according to panelists at a recent governwho might have valuable knowledge. We’ve ment/industry event focused on the nation’s termed that ‘transmedia social learning,’” preparedness for future conflicts.

DiGiovanni said.

The panel session, held during the NaAnother promising area is using big data tional Training and Simulation Association’s analytics to improve both recruitment and recent Readiness Summit, focused on the training, he suggested. “There is enough topic, “What Technologies Could Drive Nextdata out there for us to figure out who we are Generation Training Concepts?” bringing into the military. Are we recruiting For participants in the daylong summit, for the people and skills we concerns about readiness staneed? Do we have the right tus have grown both because balance and people who are of and in spite of the past deagile? Can we use big data to cade of conflict. Operations in better assess people and then Iraq and Afghanistan have crenurture them throughout ated a large cadre of exceptiontheir careers?” DiGiovanni ally skilled military personnel asked. but also left potential gaps in Thomas H. Killon, actthe future supply, particularly ing director, Office of Naval of those prepared for major Research, emphasized the state-to-state combat rather Frank DiGiovanni need for improved training than counterinsurgency. metrics. “How do you effecTo respond to those tively measure the progress needs, members of the panel in learning of the individual identified a variety of “gameand use that information changing” technologies apeffectively to manage the plicable to training, including training environment and social media, big data analytthe curriculum in a way that ics, advanced metrics, digifacilitates acquisition of extal tutoring and the latest in pertise?” he asked. neuroscience research.

“We have the tools to do Frank DiGiovanni, direcit more efficiently, but we tor of force readiness and Laura J. Junor need to press forward,” Killon training in the Office of the continued. “One aspect of that is the ability Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Readto rapidly create and manage the scenarios iness), for example, pointed not only to the that we generate. We need to make it easier popularity of massive, open, online courses for instructors to create the right kind of (MOOCs) but also to the opportunities creenvironments and manage those environated by combining them with social media. ments effectively to provide the right kind “There is a lot of learning going on in of training.” the social media environment, including While most military training focuses on MOOCs,” he observed. “Because the courses the collective instruction of groups, J. Dexter are so large, students have gone to social Fletcher of the Institute for Defense Analyses media to fill in gaps on learning. If you look called for greater attention on individual tuat what tech can do, there is promise in the toring, which studies have shown produces use of social media to build social learning much greater progress for the student. But environments. www.MT2-kmi.com

while providing every student with a tutor would obviously be prohibitively expensive, he said, digital tutoring using intelligence programs can yield “astronomical” results compared with collective instruction, as was the case with a recent Navy program that used a digital tutor to train IT specialists to troubleshoot network problems.

Chris Fall, national security adviser for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, held out the promise of using recent research on the brain to improve training.

“Despite two decades of investment in brain science, we know next to nothing about how the brain works,” Fall noted. “But what we do know is that the most realistic training environment is the most effective way to get someone trained. So if we can leverage the science of learning, we could speed that up.

It’s about tapping into the processes that the brain is operating on.”

Earlier, summit attendees heard from Laura J. Junor, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, who outlined the readiness issue within the context of the recent uncertainty in the defense budget.

“Circumstances like this create a valuable opportunity for innovation,” Junor said.

“We need to focus more on intelligent tutoring capabilities to improve how fast we train individuals. We not only need to help people pick up the nuances of combined arms, but also not forget the real training they picked up in the field, such as the decisions they had to make in isolation without leadership approval. We need to make sure that they don’t lose that skillset.

“If we have hope of maintaining and improving readiness while people are deployed, we’re going to have to get at this another way.

We’re going to need to invest in instrumentation that allows us to seamlessly blend live and virtual training,” Junor said. O For more information, contact MT2 Editor Hank Donnelly at hankd@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

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Today’s challenge is to drive innovation in the use of simulation to deliver more affordable, integrated and portable solutions.

By Jon Rambeau

As militaries continue to face tough budget decisions and maintain readiness in an evolving global security environment, industry must leverage innovation to deliver more realistic and robust aircrew training.

Using real-world aircraft or weapons systems for training can cost thousands of dollars per hour. By comparison, the cost of training using simulation-based training devices is generally only hundreds of dollars per hour, presenting a compelling case for virtual solutions.

Simulation technology has progressed exponentially over the past five years through richer visual systems and architectures that make it easier to generate realistic training scenarios. The challenge today lies in driving innovation in the use of simulation to deliver more affordable, integrated and portable training solutions.

Simulation plays a prominent role in cutting-edge weapons systems such as the F-35 Lightning II—much more so than legacy platforms. Because of the sensors and advanced capabilities of the F-35, it is not possible to adequately challenge pilots in the live environment alone. Simulation redefines how pilots train by providing the range of experience required to maximize the F-35’s fifth-generation capabilities.

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The suite of F-35 pilot training technologies currently allows 72 percent of initial training flights to be accomplished virtually, driving affordability and effectiveness. To compare, about 40 percent of initial qualification for the F-16 is conducted through simulation.

At present, the F-35 training syllabus includes technology-driven academics with interactive desktop trainers, 18 flights in the Full Mission Simulator and seven flights in the aircraft. The syllabus is designed to download training tasks into the lowest-fidelity, most affordable environments possible, while still achieving the desired training outcome.

The F-35 Full Mission Simulator is the highest-fidelity trainer in the F-35 pilot training technology suite, replicating all sensors and weapons employment. As a first for military aviation, the Full Mission Simulator is being developed in concert with the F-35 platform. The simulator and aircraft use the same software, which drives affordability while providing pilots with training on new capabilities as they are introduced to the fleet. With 360-degree visuals, the Full Mission Simulator presents an immersive environment for initial, transition, refresher, continuation and mission rehearsal training.

Flexibility is fundamental to the training system design to accommodate training for the three aircraft variants and all 16 participating F-35 services. Since F-35s will be located around the world, distributed training is vital, so that pilots who will fight together are able to train together.

Maintainers also benefit from simulation. Currently across all F-35 maintenance disciplines, 95 percent of training occurs during computer-based courses and handson exercises with part-task trainers. One unique system is the Aircraft Systems Maintenance Trainer. With this training tool, maintainers are represented by avatars that interact with a virtual aircraft to gain familiarity with the air system.

Simulation supports aircraft availability since the jets aren’t taken off the flying schedule for the majority of training tasks.

With simulation, maintainers also get to see a variety of emergency and wear-andtear conditions, so the first time they deal with them isn’t when they have a limited window to service the jet and return it to readiness status.

Looking to the future, the lessons learned designing the F-35 Training System can be applied to new and emerging platforms to ensure virtual tools deliver maximum impact. With nearly 500 suppliers www.MT2-kmi.com

contributing to the F-35 Training System, industry has the breadth of experience to continue driving technology forward.

Integrated LVC Training I see tremendous potential to support customer affordability needs by increasing ground-based training and decreasing live flying, including through the use of integrated live, virtual and constructive (LVC) training. Preparing fourth- and fifthgeneration aircraft pilots for the complex challenges and threats on the horizon requires the ability to train virtually on scenarios that can’t be affordably replicated in live environments. Such training requires integrating LVC elements into one realistic combat experience.

LVC is the future of effective training for operational readiness. With LVC, pilots can fly within existing, limited physical airspace constraints while simulating challenges outside of that physical airspace for a broader training envelope.

Integrated LVC also offers instructors greater flexibility in optimizing training resources. Through the synthetic training environment enabled by LVC, instructors can download training from higher-cost platforms to more affordable, simulation-based solutions. Using a ground range infrastructure, integrated LVC allows for training scenarios to be modified in real time for more spontaneous mission planning and modification.

Until recently, the challenge to developing an LVC environment was transmitting data between the ground and an aircraft. My company developed a unique LVC solution to move data between ground and aircraft sensors, helping pilots train with simulators, computer-generated forces and other aircraft in the same synthetic environment.

In 2014, we demonstrated this capability with a simulator and a live flying F-16 engaging in the same shared synthetic environment, and additional exercises proving out this capability are planned for additional fourth- and fifth-generation platforms in the years to come.

In the LVC environment, transmitting data also requires ensuring the right cybersecurity and data protection measures are built into the system. Some of the world’s leading cybersecurity experts, including those working on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency National Cyber Range program as well as within Lockheed www.MT2-kmi.com

Head-wearable displays in particular present significant cost savings when compared to traditional training media. [Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin]

Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business area, are helping drive data protection into our LVC concept.

For LVC to truly succeed, collaboration across industry and government will be required to securely deliver the LVC environment of tomorrow and support training the next generation of warfighters.

Right Technology, Right Time All training solutions must be grounded in the science of learning. Through human performance engineering, training tasks can be matched to the right level of technology to help learners quickly master new skills. This approach has the dual benefit of cost-effectiveness and a faster path to learning.

For instance, some training tasks historically conducted in aircraft can be effectively conducted in simulators, and procedures training traditionally conducted in simulators can be downloaded to desktop or mobile trainers.

Head-wearable displays in particular present significant cost savings when compared to traditional training media.

Through the development of ultra-wide field-of-view lenses and unique algorithms that build virtual worlds, head-wearable devices have tremendous potential to leverage virtual and augmented reality and provide more realistic training. The user can truly “learn by doing” as the displayed image supplements their hands-on skill development.

These visualization tools can also be used for anytime, anywhere training,

enabling customers to stay mission-ready anywhere in the world.

Customers frequently tell us about the importance of effective training in today’s complex operational environment. Often, their stories tell us how our training technologies helped save lives or accomplish their mission flawlessly. That’s what keeps us all motivated to amplify the power of simulation to redefine next-generation pilot training. O

Jon Rambeau

Jon Rambeau is vice president and general manager of Training and Logistics Solutions at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business. Lockheed Martin partners with the U.S. armed forces and international allies to provide advanced simulation and training capabilities to customers in more than 50 countries.

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Hank Donnelly at hankd@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

MT2 20.2 | 25

3-D Printing Improves Training Capabilities

By Theresa Bradley

The Objet500 Connex2 by Stratasys was used to produce comEngineers and designers at Naval Air Warfare Center Trainponents of a weaponry system called Modular Advanced Traininging Systems Division (NAWCTSD) are finding solutions to difMarksmanship Proficiency (MAT-MP). ficult training challenges with 3-D printing. In Orlando, NAW“MAT-MP is packed with electronics, neatly and snugly in a very CTSD’s Rapid Prototype Design and Fabrication Lab—part of the small package,” Portoghese explained. “It has high-def video, a 1 Advanced Simulation, Visual and Software Systems Division—is GHz computer and wireless capability. The printed components’ equipped with sophisticated 3-D printers that produce training delighter weight, smaller size and increased design complexity allow vices more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional methods. In us to pack all those features in one device that can be attached to some cases, it’s creating parts that were impossible to produce in any live-fire weapon and used in training.” the past.

While video records the trainee’s line “3-D printing has opened the door to of sight, sensors monitor trigger and imagination and creativity. In just half an butt-stock pressure and tilt of the weaphour, over lunch, I printed a device encloon. This information is recorded and sure that we couldn’t have made in our delivered to the trainer, who then gives machine shop. This process offers greater instantaneous feedback on very precise flexibility and complexity of design,” said adjustments.

Rocco Portoghese, senior research and MAT-MP is currently being tested by development engineer with the Rapid the Marines, Army and law enforcement.

Prototype Design and Fabrication Lab. 3-D printing technology is still 3-D printing is also reducing cost emerging, and its applications in trainand speeding development of simulated pieces of tactical gear for trainers. Simu- The Objet 500 Connex2 provides the Rapid Prototype Design and Fabrication ing aren’t fully understood throughout the military. Portoghese acknowledged lators have traditionally used bodies of Lab with 3-D printing capabilities. [Photo courtesy of Team Orlando] that many in the Navy don’t completely understand its capabilities. warfare equipment and filled them with simulation-specific gear.

“There are a lot of challenges we can help resolve with this techThese shells, based on the actual bodies, are generally expensive and nology. We can often do it at a much lower cost and in a very short have long production lead times. time frame compared to traditional manufacturing and prototype The cost of a previously integrated laser-target-designator body methods. I can produce an item and tell clients that this is what it is $18,000, and it takes almost six months to procure. But that same will look like. After the design phase, there is no ambiguity about item, developed on a 3-D printer, will cost $200 for materials and what will be delivered,” he said. take about four hours to print in plastic. Although not as sturdy as Team members at the lab see a tremendous benefit to giving the real body, it is suitable for training. warfighters direct access to 3-D printers. On ships, for example, 3-D printers operate similarly to traditional printers but use a replacement parts could be printed on demand. Instead of storing variety of materials, such as plastics, elastomers, titanium, steel and and hauling hundreds of parts, most of which will never be needed, carbon-fiber composite. The printing process differs with various the ship could store a digital inventory of part designs and print as machines. Two of the lab’s machines use polyjet technology. Print needed. If a part didn’t exist in inventory, it could be created by a jets lay down a single layer of material that is cured by high-intensidesigner located either onboard or remotely. ty ultraviolet lights. Each subsequent layer is laid upon the last until The Rapid Prototype Design and Fabrication Lab serves all the final piece is completed. branches. Through NAWCTSD, it is a member of Team Orlando—a The third of the lab’s printers uses a process called fused decoalition of Central Florida-based military, federal government, inposition modeling, in which a thin filament of thermoplastic resin dustry and academic institutions that have united around a common is melted by a single-point print head, extruded, placed on a build individual mission: to improve human performance through the use surface and cooled to a solid form. The print head then draws out a of modeling, simulation and training technologies. Through colcross-section of the part to complete a single layer, and the process laboration, cooperation and partnerships, Team Orlando maximizes is repeated until the part is built. organic capabilities, training solutions and mission readiness, while NAWCTSD added 3-D printing to the Rapid Prototype Deminimizing costs and developmental/delivery timelines. O sign and Fabrication Lab in 2012. Today, it produces a wide range of plastics in varying hardness and colors with two polyjet and one fused-deposition-modeling printer. These range in cost from $20,000 to $300,000. The most sophisticated prints up to 140 For more information, contact MT2 Editor Hank Donnelly at hankd@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives materials by combining polymers in a finished size up to 19.3’ x for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

15.4’ x 7.9’.

26 | MT2 20.2

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S I M T H E T I Q E S T O R E . C O M

July 2015 Vol. 20, Issue 3

NEXT ISSUE America's Longest Established Simulation & Training Magazine

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Col. Bradley M. Crites Commander Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation

Special Section: Who’s Who in PEO STRI

Features: • MOUT Training • Virtual Worlds/Avatars • Hand Held Devices for Training

Command Profile:

National Center for Simulation Insertion Order Deadline: June 1, 2015 Ad Material Deadline: June 8, 2015 MT2 20.2 | 27

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Military Training Technology

Emanuele Merlo Head of Integrated Training System (ITS) Alenia Aermacchi Emanuele Merlo, head of ITS for Alenia Aermacchi, was born in Milan, Italy, in 1961. In 1986, he joined Alenia Aermacchi as aerodynamicist in the Advanced Study Department. He became responsible for M-346 aerodynamic design in 1993 and chief of aerodynamics in 1999. In parallel, he followed all the AEJPT (EuroTraining) Study working phase. From 2005 to 2010, he became technical leader for a national research program with the objective of designing, integrating and testing affordable, low-radar cross-sections on M-346. In 2006, he also became responsible for ITS and integrated logistic support, and for research and innovation in 2009. Since January 2012, his responsibilities have been concentrated on ITS. Q: Can you describe Alenia Aermacchi’s history and evolution?

A: In 2013, Alenia Aermacchi celebrated its first 100 years of activity. On May 1, 1913, the Società Anonima Nieuport-Macchi was incorporated. A century later, the brand Alenia Aermacchi groups the whole aviation sector of Finmeccanica, the main Italian industrial group operating in high technologies. It is a worldwide leader in the design, development, production, maintenance and modification of commercial and defense aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, military training aircraft and aerostructures. Alenia Aermacchi has a wide network of joint ventures and product and program partnerships, such as Eurofighter with the British BAE Systems and Airbus Defence and Space for Germany and Spain, ATR with Airbus Group for the production of turboprop regional aircraft, and SCAC with the Russian company Sukhoi for the Superjet100 regional jet. Alenia Aermacchi has also a strategic partnership with Boeing for the design and production of the stabilizer, center and rear fuselage of the 787 Dreamliner.

A: Live-virtual-constructive (LVC) is now a delivered product for Alenia Aermacchi. Our LVC technology is able to link in real-time M-346 airplanes with ETTS virtual entities/ threats sharing in datalink virtual scenarios planned in the MPDS, FMSs replicating M-346 including the same ETTS scenarios, and a real-time monitoring station with capability to change the virtual scenario for both M-346 aircraft and FMS. Everything is recorded and then merged for debriefing, mixing manned doctrine in flight, manned doctrine on the ground and virtual doctrine coming from ETTS. We also have an immersive training system for maintainers in final development. training gap between fourth- and fifthgeneration combat pilot training. Besides the M-346 aircraft, we provide our military customers with a suite of integrated mission support systems (mission planning and debriefing system, JMPS compatible, and a real-time monitoring station) and training devices, ranging from CBT classroom (pilots and maintainers) to full mission simulators with a TMIS orchestrating the whole training activities.

Q: How are you positioned for the future within the U.S. military?

Q: What are some of your key products in the defense training and simulation industry?

A: Alenia Aermacchi is fully committed to the North American market with a range of products, including the C-27J, a fixedwing, multimission military cargo aircraft, also in service with U.S. Coast Guard; M-346 ITS, the world’s most modern, advanced and comprehensive next-generation flying training system; and the MC-27J, a new multimission version of the combatproven C-27J. Upcoming opportunities in the North America market are the U.S. Air Force T-X program with a dedicated version of the M-346, the T-100 and the Canadian Air Force FWSAR replacement. On the latter project, we are partnered with General Dynamics Canada, DRS Canada and other Canadian companies.

A: M-346 ITS is the most advanced. We moved quickly from a concept to an integrated product capable of filling the existing

Q: What are some of the new training/ simulation technologies Alenia Aermacchi has developed for 2015?

28 | MT2 20.2

Q: What is an example of your success in the military, and what are some of your goals (specific to the training/simulation industry) over the next year?

A: As I mentioned, M-346 ITS is one of our successes. Our near-term goals are to complete the M-345 ITS in order to provide our customers with the most cost-effective training pipeline (considering both aircraft and related training systems) and to extend the M-346 ITS role to red air and companion training in order to provide our customers all the solutions to optimize their training process well into the operational environment, producing enormous cost savings.

The ITS concept is going to be applied to the training suite supporting C-27J as soon as customers require it.

Q: How do customers benefit from Alenia Aermacchi’s varied resources and expertise?

A: Alenia Aermacchi ITS is the actual benefit. We are growing in order to be capable of fully supporting our customers in the field, providing continuous instructor/specialist training and technological support and evolution, and providing our instructors/specialists supporting daily training operations.

The new IT and simulation technologies are growing exponentially, and keeping up-todate knowledge is mandatory to get all the advantages provided by the new ITS. O www.MT2-kmi.com

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