Evaluation of Game-Based Visualization Tools for Military Flight Simulation
Abstract
PC based commercial off the shelf (COTS) flight simulators native image generating capabilities can be harnessed to produce outstanding visual displays for a fraction of the cost of traditional image generator (IG) software. A high fidelity F-16 simulator's faceted Mobile Modular Display for Advanced Research and Training (M2DART) configuration display was driven by multiple instances of COTS game based flight simulation software. Laminar Research's X-Plane was selected primarily for its low cost and available Software Development Kit (SDK). This paper details the advantages and limitations of using game based software as a visualization tool. The realism and fidelity of the game-based synthetic visual environment and weather simulation, the graphics scalability, effects quality and display limitations were assessed. The most significant challenge encountered in adapting COTS game based software to serve as a visualization tool was ensuring terrain and model database correlation; potential methods of solving this problem were explored. Overall, it was shown that a COTS flight simulator is a viable and potentially cost saving alternative to traditional IGs in high fidelity flight simulation for certain training applications, given proper steps are taken to adapt and integrate the program for the user's specific needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA594585
Entities
People
- Adam Pohl
- Clinton Kam
- Craig Eidman
- Logan A. Williams
- Matthew Lisa
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory