PGSC (acquired by Booz Allen)

The ability for military operators to share tactical geospatial information and collaborate geographically via the Android Team Awareness Kit (TAK) has revolutionized the way personnel on the ground communicate with each other, their air support teams and commanders during ops. Bringing this capability into the training sphere allows users to truly train as they fight; and capabilities such as Battlespace Simulations, Inc.’ MACE and PAR Government’s Sit(x) TAK server augmentation solution have been instrumental in replicating the real world experience of sharing information during simulation-based training exercises. This includes everything from 9-Line targeting comms, Link 16 data, to geospatial imagery, and analytics overlays – everything that comprises situational awareness for the warfighter. Integrating geospecific Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) imagery into ATAK for our JTAC training system, the DJFT, has been a vital part of delivering a mixed-reality simulation system that replicates the look, feel and operational capability of real military equipment, while seamlessly immersing the user in the virtual world via the Varjo HMD. In fact, the physical experience of interacting with real and/or emulated military equipment in the real world keeps the user grounded and mitigates the effect of motion sickness while wearing an HMD for simulator-based mixed-reality training – even if wearing it for the first time. VRSG streams H264 video data link feed from a simulated overhead airborne asset, complete with MISB-complaint KLV metadata, so it is able to generate the range and coordinates of a designated target in the TAK ecosystem. In ATAK, the VRSG video stream is overlaid on the tactical map to ensure all parties in a mission are correlated on the correct target. Using the KLV metadata embedded in the VRSG video stream, ATAK can display the aircraft's position marker as well as its sensor point of interest. In our newest collaboration with PAR Government, this VRSG video downlink is able to be served to the training TAK device (a Samsung Electronics S23) from PAR Government’s Sit(x) server via wifi, cellular network or mesh. This means that the video downlink can be pulled from a VRSG-simulated sensor feed operating anywhere – such as an MJAT MQ-9 training simulator, in the same way these feeds are pulled from air assets being operated from remote locations in real world events. This means you can view the virtual VRSG sensor feed through the Sit(x) server on real, operational end user devices, such as Samsung’s S23 Tactical Edition phone. Drop by booth #3211 at #SOFWeek2024 to experience how our collaboration with PAR Government, Battlespace Simulations, Inc., Samsung Electronics, and Varjo and their best-of-breed technologies is contributing to the spiral development of our mixed-reality simulator for the Special Forces community. #SOF #mixedreality #military #training #specialforces #atak #tak #simulation #ussocom #JTAC

📢 Introducing new terrain: Tampa Bay 📢 Rapid geospecific terrain creation has significant implications for the Special Operations community when performing mission rehearsal. At #SOF2024 this week, together with PAR Government we are demonstrating a virtual replication of a live cross-national Special Forces Operations training exercise that was carried out in Tampa Bay in 2022. To support the effort, the MVRsimulation terrain team purpose built a high-resolution virtual representation of the Tampa Bay area, in a matter of weeks. To create the terrain, the team started with VRSG’s existing Tampa terrain dataset, part of the CONUS NAIP Southeast terrain drive. This dataset includes 1-meter NAIP imagery and elevation data compiled from 10-meter NED. A high resolution 3D model of Tampa Bay was created using CyberCity 3D, Inc.'s 3D's high-resolution model, textured using CityEngine, and compiled into the terrain. More than 32,000 procedural city model buildings, generated based on building footprints, also using CityEngine, were compiled into the area, and a number of geospecific building models were built and integrated in order to enhance detail of the virtual urban area, including the Tampa Convention Center and the iconic 345 Bay Shore Condominium building. Integrated road vectors from OpenStreetMap were used to depict the road infrastructure around downtown Tampa, and more than 4,000 tree models were distributed throughout the area for added realism. As the Tampa Bay shoreline is a key part of the simulated demonstration, bathymetric data at a 3-meter resolution was incorporated from NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to create the underlying shore elevation. A real-time 3D model representative of the cruise yacht that is permanently moored in the harbour was also built and placed in the virtual bay – where it plays a central role in the simulated scenario. Other VRSG 3D models that bring the simulation to life include MH-6 Little Bird and MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter (complete with switch state animation showing Special Operations personnel fast roping from the MH-60 onto the deck of the yacht), special operations ATVs, and SOCR MK VI Riverine craft. All this week, we invite you to experience the simulated exercise taking place in the virtual Tampa Bay terrain on booth #3211. VRSG is also generating a simulated MQ-9 RPAS sensor feed (complete with KLV metadata) for the mission, which is being fed directly to the trainee’s #ATAK device on the MVRsimulation Deployable Joint Fires Trainer (DJFT). The new Tampa Bay terrain is now available for download by all VRSG users. As with all new content added to the VRSG database, it can be downloaded by VRSG users on active software maintenance, at no additional cost. #SOF #TampaBay #mixedreality #military #training #specialforces #wintak #atak #simulation #defense #ussocom #socom #virtual #3dartist #usdod #JTAC #militarysimulation #terrain #geospecific #TheTampaCC