Training via distributed mission simulation has the potential to enhance force readiness and operational effectiveness in coalition operations. An essential condition for an effective mission simulation environment is correlated representation of the real-world natural and cultural environment in the distributed simulation. Correlating existing geospecific environmental databases is costly, both in effort and in money, and the end result will always be hampered by technical incompatibilities. A generic and non-geospecific, widely available simulation environment could overcome these problems.

In 2008 the NATO RTO task group MSG-071 Missionland started. Its prime objective is to construct a coherent dataset of a static environment, from which databases can be constructed for a wide range of simulators. Based on inputs from military end users the task group has identified the user needs and requirements for a dataset of a virtual continent, named Missionland. The task group has created a design for Missionland and set it in the North Atlantic. Missionland covers multiple climate zones and various elevation regions. The Missionland dataset provides the users with terrain elevation data, vector data, imagery, 3D models, and textures. The users can generate with this dataset the databases they need for their visual out-of-the-window and sensor views, terrain servers and computer generated forces applications.

This paper outlines the approach the task group has undertaken in developing the dataset. It starts with an overview of the user needs, followed by the design of Missionland. The data generation process and the dataset elements are discussed, emphasizing the necessary deviations from standard real-world database development techniques. It explains the tools, technology and data sources used for data generation. Finally the paper describes the deployment of the Missionland dataset for end user applications.