By John McHale
SAN JOSE, Calif.-Officials at Acme Worldwide Enterprises in Albuquerque, N.M., recently selected real-time visual computing solutions from Quantum3D for a military trainer.
The Quantum3D Independence Image Generator (IG) solution will be used for an upgrade of the U.S. Air Force KC-10 Boom Operator Trainer (BOT) program.
Acme was awarded the Air Force contract to upgrade the two KC-10 Boom Operator Trainers located at Travis and McGuire Air Force Bases, restoring and improving the supportability and maintainability of air refueling training devices. Acme has purchased two Independence systems, along with Quantum3D GeoScapeSE databases, to improve device fidelity for increased training effectiveness.
Quantum3D is also working with Acme to develop special visual system enhancements, such as real-time shadows for the boom and precision collision-detection techniques to simulate the way the refueling boom interacts with the tanker and fighter aircrafts.
The latest model in the Independence family of IG Solutions, the IDX 2500, combines the latest in extended-life-cycle advanced PC technologies with value-added software, hardware, and life-cycle support in a System Level Parallel Rendering Architecture (SLPRA), Quantum3D officials say.
The generator is designed to sustain 60 Hz (120 Hz for stereo applications) out the window and 30, 60, or 120 Hz for monochrome sensor simulation applications, all on high-resolution, geospecific visual, and materially classified sensor databases.
Applications include: fixed wing, fast jet, and helicopters; gunnery, weapons system, and sensors; hardware-in-the-loop sensor simulation; military and commercial advanced ground vehicles; fixed-base and forward air traffic control; ship’s bridge simulation and training; and mono and stereo scientific visualization.
“In-air refueling is a very difficult and dangerous operation, so providing high- fidelity training for KC-10 Boom Operators is truly a mission-critical activity,” says Ross Q. Smith, Quantum3D co-founder and president.
“Recent extensive upgrades which Acme made to the U.S. Air Force’s two KC 135 Boom Operator Part Task Trainers have been very well received,” says Andy Levandoski. “These improved devices significantly enhance Boom Operator Training effectiveness and provided a proven track record for the [Air Force] to entrust Acme with this critical modification to the KC -10 Boom Operator Trainers.”
For more information, see www.acme-worldwide.com or call 505-243-0400. For more on Quantum3D visit www.quantum3d.com.
