DiSTI® News
DiSTI® to create 3D Virtual Environment for the F/A-18 Simulated Avionics Maintenance Trainer (SAMT)
The team of American Systems Corporation (ASC), DiSTI and SIMTECH have been selected to build an F/A-18 Maintenance Trainer for the US Navy.
ORLANDO, FL, February 6, 2004 - DiSTI will use their GL Studio software to create the graphics for the 3D environment. American Systems Corporation is the prime contractor and is providing project oversight, integration, quality assurance and integrated logistics support. SIMTECH will develop the system simulation models and provide subject matter expertise on the F/A-18.
The F/A-18 Simulated Avionics Maintenance Trainer or SAMT is the first in a new class of 3D virtual reality maintenance trainers. The SAMT provides a photorealistic 3D environment that allows a student to naturally interact with a virtual F/A-18 aircraft and perform maintenance tasks. The entire system is PC based.
Using a large plasma display with a touch sensitive screen, the student is able to walk around the aircraft, open aircraft compartments, attach simulated test equipment, diagnose faults, remove and replace equipment and observe realistic operation of complex mechanical systems.
The student is able to view the virtual aircraft from any desired angle and also create multiple views of the aircraft, allowing the student to perform tasks that require simultaneous access to different areas of the aircraft.
The 3D graphical environment is coupled to detailed electrical, hydraulic and fuel system simulations that accurately model the aircraft systems. Student interactions with the graphical environment directly affect the aircraft system models. This allows the student to engage in unlimited free play, allowing for any number of training scenarios.
The trainer also includes simulations of F/A-18 test equipment. The student is able to disconnect cables, use and test equipment to measure signals via a multimeter, oscilloscope, time domain reflectometer or any of over a dozen pieces of modeled test equipment. The trainer also includes simulations of munitions and other stores, allowing the student to load and unload the aircraft in any supported configuration.
The trainer includes a simulated cockpit that fully replicates the form, fit and function of the actual F/A-18 cockpit, including electronic displays. This cockpit is coupled to the trainer’s simulation model and interacts in real-time with the 3D virtual aircraft. A second large plasma screen displays ancillary information, including a photorealistic cockpit repeater that replicates the simulated cockpit.
Maintenance trainers allow personnel to train on major aircraft, shipboard or ground vehicle systems at a fraction of the cost of procuring the original equipment. Personnel will be able to train on subsystems such as fire control and armament; flight control and instruments; and communications, navigation and electronic countermeasures systems. Maintenance personnel will be able to perform both operational checkouts and troubleshooting on these systems.
Maintenance trainers can provide hundreds of tasks for maintenance personnel to perform, simulate malfunctions and allow safer training for potentially dangerous tasks. This can all be done on a desktop, laptop or accessible via the web.
GL Studio standardizes development and cuts down development time of interactive 2D or 3D graphics for reconfigurable training systems. GL Studio is a proven technology used in trainers for F-14, F-16, F-18, A-10, E-2C, EA-6B, EC-135, UH-60, MH-60, HH-60, AH-64, T-6 and T-39 to name a few.
GL Studio allows you to create maintenance trainers that are spatially accurate, high fidelity simulations with an interactive interface for the student and/or the instructor.
About DiSTI
DiSTI is a software development company providing a wide range of software and services to support the development of advanced visual applications. Our solutions allow our customers to develop human machine interfaces for embedded systems, maintenance trainers, courseware, and real time visual applications. DiSTI's mission is to simplify the development of human machine interfaces with tools developers can use produce photo-realistic graphics faster and cheaper then ever before. DiSTI's products are used by the titans of industry including Anteon, Boeing, General Dynamics, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, SAIC, INDRA Thales, and SAAB to name a few. DiSTI is headquarters are in Orlando, FL, neighboring US Army PEO STRI, NAVAIR and University of Central Florida research facilities. GL Studio is sold directly and through its distributors in North America, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia.
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Contact:
Chris Giordano
P: 407.206.3390 x29
F: 407.206.3396
cgiordan@disti.com
