The use of atmospheric obscurants such as battlefield smoke to modern day tactics is critical. Recent military activity in the Middle East Gulf Conflict has highlighted the impact of reduced visibility on manned vehicle and smart weapon system effectiveness. Battlefield smoke is used for tactical cover and concealment, to silhouette targets, and to cause enemy disorientation and confusion. The simulation of this feature will ensure faithful and comprehensive tactical team training for armor, and airborne vehicles.

The technical challenges presented by the simulation of volumetric atmospheric obscurants have hindered prior implementation of battlefield smoke in tactical trainers. This paper considers technical limitations associated with simulation of visual effects of smoke using real-time computer image generation, as well as less obvious problems such as the effects of smoke on various sensors (e.g. thermal sensors). Further, emphasis is given to challenges associated with creating a consistent and realistic simulation of smoke for trainers that are networked together in a distributed simulation environment. Recent advances in real-time computer image generation and simulation system technology can now be applied to solutions for simulating battlefield smoke.

This paper provides an overview of the issues associated with the visual simulation of atmospheric obscurants (e.g., battlefield smoke) in tactical team training. First, it reviews the training requirements for atmospheric obscurants in training systems by providing background on the tactical significance. Secondly, the problems associated with simulating obscurants such as smoke in tactical trainers are discussed. Finally, solutions to these problems are proposed. Photographs and video tapes will be used to illustrate the benefits of proposed solutions.