BAE Systems Brings Royal Air Force Training to Life with Presagis Modeling & Simulation Software

Montreal, QC, Canada – April 28, 2010 – Presagis™, a leading provider of commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation and embedded display graphics software, today announced that BAE Systems is using Vega Prime and Creator software to create and display terrain and entities to provide a synthetic emulation of an airborne advanced targeting pod to enhance training for frontline Royal Air Force aircrew and Forward Air Controllers. This is one application of BAE Systems’ Integrated Aircrew Training (IAT) program, integrating live, virtual and constructive elements, into increasingly complex training environments including electronic warfare and air-to-air combat.

 “Using Presagis software helps us to deliver realistic, blended training environments that can be easily adapted according to the RAF’s specific needs,” said Dave Bowman, Chief Engineer IAT, BAE Systems. “The application emulates actual operational experiences and will support the advanced training requirements for aircrew and supporting assets.”

To emulate the advanced targeting pod, such as those currently fitted to a number of RAF aircraft, BAE Systems harnessed the power of three Vega Prime modules. Vega Prime Camera provides BAE Systems with the ability to simulate the aircraft’s pod image. To increase the fidelity of the simulation, the Company uses Vega Prime FX to add special effects (including simulated explosions, missile trails and fire) to the scenario. To ensure the simulation runs smoothly and eliminate the jitter normally experienced when developers load databases manually, BAE Systems also used the Vega Prime LADBM (Large Area Database Management) module which automatically pages in new databases that are larger than can be contained in physical memory.

Models within the scenario, including urban landscape, aircraft and vehicles, were created using Creator Pro and Creator Terrain Studio from Presagis. Using photographic images as references, BAE Systems created aircraft and ground vehicle models. To optimize runtime performance, multiple levels of details are used and switch nodes represent damage states. To develop the vast urban terrain consisting of 8,000 buildings, the Company used pre-processed Shape Files to automatically generate the models in Creator Terrain Studio.

“Airspace availability, expense and time can be huge barriers to consistent and efficient pilot training,” said Nick Giannias, Vice President of Research and Technology and Program Management at Presagis. “BAE Systems is using Presagis software to create true-to-life scenarios that integrate live and virtual elements to reduce costs and shrink timelines – all while ensuring the quality of training remains first-rate. Presagis is looking forward to the successful completion of BAE Systems’ application as it moves to production for the RAF.”

The multi-player system was successfully demonstrated in Warton, England for the RAF in June 2008. During this test a Tornado GR4 aircraft was equipped with an emulated advanced targeting pod and flew over Lytham, England. Coupled with a scenario that included two patrolling tanks and ground troops in Lytham, a virtual RAF forward air controller (FAC) controlled proceedings from a vantage point near the town. While the system can run on a single aircraft, this demonstration proved the IAT is able to link to the ground and interface with the telemetry equipment on-board the aircraft.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$31.4 billion) in 2007. www.baesystems.com