Montreal, Quebec – September 15, 2009 – Presagis™, a leading provider of commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation and embedded display graphics software, today announced it is partnering with General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited to help system integrators more easily develop PC-based and embedded display applications. Integrating VAPS XT, the software for rapid development of dynamic and interactive real-time graphical human machine interfaces (HMI) from Presagis, with General Dynamics UK’s digital mapping solution, SoftMap, gives developers the ability to easily create complex tactical display applications and deliver better situational awareness on the ground, at sea or in the air. 

 “Knowledge is power and nothing could be more true than in the case of situational awareness,” said Robert Kopersiewich, Vice President, Product and Program Management, Presagis. “New generations of high-performance embedded tactical displays must provide a comprehensive view of the battlespace to ensure our military forces can make the best decisions possible to remain safe and be successful.”

The integration between VAPS XT and SoftMap gives systems integrators the ability to quickly create advanced embedded display applications that incorporates digital maps while reducing the costs associated with in-house development and integration of software.  VAPS XT integrates with SoftMap out-of-the-box through a VAPS XT 2-D moving map object and allows developers to render a map on screen.  Users have the ability to create object overlays on top of the map, including symbology, buttons and menus.  Touch-screen capability can also be easily added for additional interactivity. This integration has been optimized for use in complex simulation applications or to be deployed as a part of embedded systems such as airborne systems requiring safety-critical certification in compliance with standards like DO-178B.

“The integration of SoftMap with VAPS XT builds on our award winning SoftMap integration with previous VAPS versions,” said Paul Brewer, SoftMap Technical Lead, General Dynamics UK. “By combining both companies’ many years of proven, in-service experience in their respective domains, this new integration offers the most advanced and flexible environment for rapidly creating digital map and situational awareness applications for a wide range of platforms and domains.”

About SoftMap
General Dynamics UK’s SoftMap is a platform-independent software solution offering rapid, intelligent, coherent and precise multi-layered digital map, navigation and terrain displays through to full tactical situational awareness. It provides extensive functionality and supports a wide range of raster, matrix and vector map formats making it suitable for all air, maritime and ground based applications that require advanced digital map/geographic information system (GIS) capability in both 2-D and 3-D.  General Dynamics UK has over 15 years experience in developing and delivering map systems for platforms including Merlin Mk1, Italian AMX and M346.  SoftMap has been in service on the Merlin Mk-3 since 2006 and has been selected for the AgustaWestland AW159 (Future Lynx) helicopter and the Harrier GR9 Capability E upgrade.

About Presagis VAPS XT
VAPS XT is a full-featured and advanced software tool for the rapid development of dynamic, interactive graphics for embedded displays. With its user-extensible core architecture and integrated logic capabilities, VAPS XT allows developers to design and create highly optimized and visually sophisticated graphics through its support for advanced graphical features, including transparencies, gradients, texture-mapping, and smooth shading.  Using automatic code generation, VAPS XT PC-based applications can be easily ported to virtually any real-time operating system.  Presagis HMI software has been deployed on dozens of fielded civil and military aircraft globally for over twenty years.

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About Presagis
Presagis is a world leader in commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation, and embedded display graphics software, and creator of the first unified COTS modeling and simulation software portfolio for the global aerospace and defense markets. Presagis is built on a combined legacy of innovation and service, delivering superior customer value through rapid technology advancement. The company services more than 1,000 active customers worldwide, including many of the world's most respected organizations such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, BAE Systems and CAE. For more information, visit www.presagis.com.

About General Dynamics UK Limited
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading player in the UK’s knowledge economy and industrial base.  Established in the United Kingdom for over 40 years, it employs over 1,600 people at 10 UK and international facilities.  A prime contractor and complex systems integrator, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other allies, growing key intellectual property, skills and capabilities in its UK research facilities and workforce, whilst harnessing world-leading technology.

General Dynamics UK led a key MoD Defence Technology Centre research consortium and, together with a growing C4I export programme, plays a central role manufacturing and developing technology to deliver network enabled capability and ISTAR in the battlespace.  The Company is widely recognised as a leading contender to supply and integrate the next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles for the British Army.  For further information visit www.generaldynamics.uk.com

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

For more information, contact:

Presagis
Tracey Ades
Director, Marketing Programs
+1-514-341-3874 ext. 282
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
 

General Dynamics UK Limited
Amanda Jackson
Head of Marketing Communications
+44(0)1495 236443

© 2009 Presagis Canada Inc. and/or Presagis USA Inc. All rights reserved.

Presagis means Presagis Canada Inc., Presagis USA Inc.  and/or  Presagis Europe SA.  The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.