NEWS BRIEFS

Mountain View, CALIF. — The Czech Air Forces is using SGI visualization and supercomputing technology to help train its pilots at Namest nad Oslavou. SGI, in conjunction with Virtual Reality Media and Letecke opravny Kbely, helped to develop a fully reconfigurable simulator modeled on the Russian Sukhoi Su-22 attack aircraft.

The system is based on Silicon Graphics Onyx2, the world’s most powerful visualization system, with three InfiniteReality2 graphics subsystems. The Su-22 simulator also includes a complete set of mathematical models for all aircraft systems as defined by FAA category D, including hydraulic and pneumatic systems, instruments and indicators, and over-pressure simulation which is created by using anti-G-force trousers.

While training in the full-mission simulator, pilots use virtual reality weapons in virtual combat situations in which they experience the re-creation of reactions and responses that occur in real life. The technology allows training in the use of missiles, bombs and guns which can be conducted repeatedly without pilots having to operate expensive weaponry.

Flying tactics that are difficult to practice in reality can be taught without restriction, such as low-level flight training that would otherwise disturb local communities. Limitless training scenarios can also be run in the simulator allowing extreme or unusual flying conditions to be experienced in complete safety. Different weather and time simulations allow pilots to learn how to fly in all kinds of conditions and to practice their skills in unfamiliar environments.

“Visualization systems in modern armies make training programs much more effective and permit the simulation of potential future conflicts, allowing the evaluation of planned tactical, operative and strategic decisions,” explained the Commander of the Czech Air Forces Lt. Gen. Ladislav Klima at the certification service celebration. “The training system at Namest nad Oslavou is unique in the Czech Air Forces and will be used for safe, cost-effective, intensive flight training and tactical flight practice.”

“IT now plays an important educational role in all modern armies, and the implementation of the Su-22 flight simulator will help to bring the Czech Air Forces’ training program up to NATO standards,” said Michal Klimes, SGI sales director and country manager for the Czech Republic. “It heralds an important step in the modernization of the Czech Air Forces.”

The simulator is fixed on a unique vibration platform that imitates the aerodynamic effects that occur during flight maneuvers such as take-off, touchdown and sharp-angle attack flights. The software and hardware systems powering the simulator have been designed as separate modules so they can be easily upgraded. The Czech Air Forces plans to connect the simulator by DIS protocol with the Aero L-159 training center and command staff simulator. This will help to conduct common tactical exercises in a synthetic environment.

Virtual Reality Media (V.R.M., Ltd.) Czech Republic is a part of a growing international holding company. It is a leading, technologically oriented company providing customers with targeted and, with regards to investment protection, economic solutions with added value in the area of its own know-how supported by a clearly defined spectrum of customer service.

V.R.M., Ltd. deals with the development, production and implementation of trainers, simulators and complete training systems, designated primarily for air forces and civilian aviation.

Solutions delivered by V.R.M. are based on the most advanced generation of simulation and training technologies, including 3D visualization.

V.R.M. is a member of the Association of the Defense Industry of the Czech Republic and the Association of the Aviation Producers of the Czech Republic.

Letecke opravny Kbely is the largest aircraft repairer in the Czech Republic and one of the largest aircraft repair works in central Europe. The plant opened before World War II and it now provides technical service, repairs and maintenance for various types of planes, as well as repairs aggregates and electronic equipment, product flight simulators and simulation systems.

SGI provides a broad range of high-performance computing and advanced graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their toughest computing problems. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices worldwide, the company is located on the Web at http://www.sgi.com .

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