The present and future cargo transport and gunship fleet of aircraft will consist of multiple block configurations. Once a conventional training simulator is modified to a new block configuration, the old block material that can be taught or simulated is limited. Air Force and industry partners have developed a transportable PC and SUN based, real-time, Re-configurable Desktop Simulator to resolve this issue. This paper presents RDS methods, technology and design features used to drive down cost and maximize functionality. These include single and dual aircraft configurations that represent one aircraft with two pilots or two aircraft with each pilot flying separate missions using the same or different block configurations simultaneously. This paper presents the method used to enable a Distributed Interactive Simulation environment for formation missions including the training and evaluation of formation lead using logging and playback feature.
The RDS is equipped with satellite imagery integrated with World Wide Digital Terrain Elevation Data level 1 for out-of-the window visual presentation of terrain and selected airfields. A generic runway can be selected to represent any airfield that is not in the visual database. This paper explains the technology and the methodology used for dynamically generating and loading out-of-window visual data during flight. Pre-designed RDS training scenarios include flight profiles for airland, airdrop, formation and air refueling rendezvous missions. System specific profiles are provided for Global Air Traffic Management with a Ground Earth Station, Traffic Collision Avoidance System, Terrain Awareness Warning System and future changes. Free Play permits "what if" scenarios for all of the above listed missions. This paper emphasizes the coordination and integration of the associated activities, and technologies applied to present and future flight training concepts.