ABSTRACT
Detailed digital databases that represent real-world areas can now be developed quickly and accurately. With an appropriate flight simulator, aircrews can interact with this representation of the anticipated environment to rehearse an upcoming mission. Historically, mission rehearsal involved media such as scale models of the objective area or live exercises with mission participants operating in a full-scale replication of an area (see, e.g., Kyle, 1990). Simulation now gives warriors three-dimensional imagery based on National Imagery and Mapping Agency data, enhanced with cultural features and other details. Figure 7.1 shows an image taken from a large area, photo-specific, real-time visual database that is also capable of depicting physics-based, correlated sensor displays. Instead of deploying for live exercises (which is rapidly becoming unaffordable given today’s budgets), warriors can now rehearse the planned mission at their home unit in high-fidelity, networked simulators that allow interactions with other members of the tactical team.
