February 6, 2012
The Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), a unit of the UI Center for Computer-Aided Design, has produced a new video showcasing its research collaboration with Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA.
To view, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fGOV5Jaod0.
Rockwell Collins and OPL are leaders in the development and testing of Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) systems. The system enables such training to be performed with the players in the wargame being in different areas of the world but training together as a team. With LVC, the warfighters and aircrew can stay sharp without having to move aircraft or people to training ranges. They simply use their combat equipment to connect up to LVC training federations wherever they may be.
The jets, owned by OPL, are two-of-a-kind flying flight simulators. In the back cockpit of each jet are computer screens that allow the backseater to play the role of any fighter plane, anywhere in the world. Each jet also has a specialized data radio that behaves like a long network cable, connecting the two jets to each other and to any number of ground based flight simulators. Using this new cutting-edge technology, developed by Rockwell Collins and OPL, the jets can play air warfare "games" with other similarly equipped aircraft and with flight simulators throughout the world. The technology will change the way military pilots train. In the current age of budget limitations, the distributed training concept will speed the training cycle of military pilots and reduce the wear and tear on aircraft while at the same time increasing the quality of training.
