Limitations in wide angle image generation and display technology historically have prevented dome simulators from portraying all of the visual cues required to train Air Combat Maneuvers (ACM). Dome simulators typically displayed trainee aircraft attitude but could not display other cues, such as altitude, position, translational velocity and vertical velocity, needed to prevent inadvertent collisions with the terrain. This paper will describe advanced Computer Image Generation (CIG) and wide angle projection techniques used in Device 2E7, the F/A-18 Weapons Tactics Trainer, to overcome these limitations.

The approach to be described achieves an unrestricted 360° field-of-view CIG scene that provides all of the sky/earth and target cues needed for ACM training. This approach features high-speed calligraphic image generators incorporating dome image predistortion algorithms to produce solid color sky/earth scenes and a CT-5 CIG to generate realistic air targets. The device 2E7 visual simulation also includes surface targets, and permits training in a wide range of air-to-ground weapons tasks in addition to the basic ACM capability. Moreover, the visual system may be upgraded in a straightforward manner to achieve greater air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities, in order to support fully the broad mission of the F/A-18.