Current estimates show that approximately one-thousand image generators are now in use for a variety of simulation applications. The cost of developing new data bases for these and future image generators is tremendous. One way to reduce up-front costs is to reuse existing simulator data bases rather than generate databases from scratch.

This paper describes the results of investigations undertaken by McDonnell Douglas Training Systems into the feasibility of reformatting three data bases into the Project 2851 Standard Simulator Data Base (SSDB) Interchange Format (SIF). These data bases, originally developed for the suite of A-6/E S/WIP and F-14D trainers, support visual, infrared, and radar simulations over large areas of the East and West coasts of the United States. They would be valuable and cost-effective additions to the Project 2851 repositories. We evaluated the following aspects of the A-6E S/WIP and F-14D data bases:

Levels of Detail

Feature Representations

Terrain Representations

Model Formats

Texture Representation

Infrared Attributes

We conclude that it is feasible to reformat terrain elevations, cultural features, models, and textures, given certain conditions on spatial resolution, thermal attribution, and texture representation. The results uncovered a need for minor changes to the SIF/HDI standard format.

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F. Eckelmann