The current dramatic rise in the development and applications of modern graphics processors is evident in the world of ‘virtual reality’, but the immense power of these ‘reality engines’ and their suitability for other processing applications may, as yet, not be widely appreciated.

The similarity in the insonification of sea bottom objects by a ‘high profiling’ sonar and the illumination of the same from a visual camera provided just such an application to explore these possibilities.

The paper outlines a unique approach in the combination of the acoustic and visual simulation requirements within a host graphics processor for the production of high fidelity real time simulation in a complex mine-hunting scenario. It also demonstrates the benefits of improved performance and cost savings in the now familiar climate of cost efficient readiness, and how these techniques can be applied with similar results to other applications.

The implementation of the design concept and some of its remarkable features are highlighted in a system developed for the Sandown Class Single Role Minehunter Combined Operator Trainer which is now in service with the Royal Navy.