Joint Fires & Effects Trainer System – Close Air Support Module
Overview
The JFETS CASM is an immersive training environment enabling Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) to practice calling in close air support and communicating with pilots. A custom cylindrical display was designed to give JTACs an unobstructed view of a realistic simulated sky. Its unique display and rear projection design makes it the first trainer where students can make visual contact with a pilot and watch aircraft fly in overhead.
A 20-foot diameter, 12-foot tall screen provides a 300 degree panoramic view with 360 degree overhead view through the use of 11 channels of rear-projected video. A 14.2 3D surround sound system offers realistic audio to sync with the visuals as aircraft fly overhead. JFETS CASM was created for Ft. Sill in collaboration with the Institute for Creative Technologies.
Date delivered: August, 2005
What GPS Created
Cylindrical display environment under construction:
GPS designed and built the unique cylindrical display and the set it contains. US Army simulation drivers and ICT research technologies were integrated. Virtual views are seen all around the trainees and through the M22 binoculars, LLDR (Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder), GLDT (Ground Laser Target Designator), IZLID (Infrared Zoom Laser Illuminator Designator) and SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) Radio.
Control Room:
GPS built the control room where an operator controls the simulation and plays the role of the Fire Direction Center and Pilot during the talk on. Displays show views as seen by the trainees, and microphones let the instructor talk to trainees over a virtual radio or as an omniscient observer, outside the realm of the immersive experience.
Classroom:
The B-training classroom gives students the same observation views as the instructor and an audio feed allows them to hear what is going on in the virtual environment as well as the simulated radio traffic. The instructor can show them virtual views as seen from the virtual environment, or views unable to be seen by the trainees, such as an aerial view of the battle area.
How it works
The cylindrical display is a unique way to overcome the impracticalities of a dome display. With a cylinder, rear projection can be used, so no shadows are cast. When trainees look up, they see realistic views of aircraft coming in over their position, not a projector.
The JFETS CASM allows soldiers to practice issuing close air support (CAS) requests and to interact with pilots throughout the mission. The 3D sound system lets trainees hear the approaching aircraft realistically as it flies overhead.
In order to simulate the talk on and let the operator see what the pilot would see, GPS created the cockpit view. GPS also designed a special targeting mouse that lets the operator move the cursor from landmark to landmark and input target coordinates in real time.
Trainees use simulated M22 binoculars, Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) and Ground Laser Target Designator (GLDTII). They use a simulated SINCGARS radio to call in close air support requests. Motion tracking of equipment, such as the virtual binoculars, allows the view in them to correspond accurately with where they are pointed.
The JFETS CASM is currently being used to simulate open terrain, but can also be used to simulate other settings, such as urban locations, by changing the projection and set dressing.
For more information about the JFETS CASM, please contact us.
Impact
The JFETS CASM was chosen by JFCOM as the number one simulator for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and was approved to replace live Close Air Support training missions for the purpose of certifying JTACs. The JFETS CASM is the first close air support trainer that can simulate Type 1 CASM.
-
Full Spectrum Command
FSC version 1.5 was created to allow trainees to experience tactical command and control of a US Army Light infantry Company. This interactive training tool lets commanders hone skills learned through traditional instruction on a virtual asymmetrical battlefield.
-
Full Spectrum Leader
FSL was created to allow trainees to experience tactical command and control of a US Army Light Infantry Platoon in a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) environment. Another version was customized for the Singapore Armed Forces.
-
ELECT BiLAT
As part of their deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Army officers have become responsible for maintaining the peace while working together with locals. This tool was designed to help them gain skills for cross-cultural meetings and negotiations at the interpersonal level.
-
C3IT
The Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) needed to be able to demonstrate some of their technologies at conferences and other locations. C3IT was created as a portable immersive environment that would showcase speech recognition and natural language understanding.
-
IIT
In the Infantry Immersive Trainer (IIT), Marines experience close-quarters battle in a realistic urban setting complete with sights, sounds and smells.
-
JFETS UTM
In an urban environment, the challenges for Army forward observers include limiting collateral damage and noncombatant casualties as they call for artillery fire. The JFETS UTM lets forward observers gain the value of lessons learned in a challenging training system.
-
JFETS CASM
The JFETS CASM is an immersive training environment enabling Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) to practice calling in close air support and communicating with pilots using a custom cylindrical display with an unobstructed view of a realistic simulated sky.
-
CAD-TS
Patriot Missile crews have traditionally been trained using radar simulations, whiteboards, field manuals and sand tables. Instructors have not had the tools necessary to teach the critical skill of visualizing the battle space in three dimensions.
-
FCS MDT
The Boeing Company required a way to showcase capabilities of various Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) concepts. The FCS Mobile Demonstration Trailer has traveled across the country, giving visitors a hands-on, interactive experience including vehicle simulators.
-
ELECT UrbanSim
High ranking Army officers in Iraq are now charged with maintaining stability, fighting insurgency and crime, and reconstructing infrastructure. ELECT UrbanSim lets commanders reap the benefits of lessons learned in a realistic way, without risk.
![[Photo of the GPS offices]](images/design/gps-location.jpg)