Buckley AFB receives MetaVR VRSG-equipped F-16C training simulators

Pilots at Buckley Air Force Base (AFB) will shortly betraining on four newly delivered F-16C Block 30 simulators featuring MetaVR’sVirtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG).

The F-16C four-ship training simulators have been installedat the new mission training center at Buckley AFB, Colorado, where they will beused for proficiency and currency maintenance pilot training by the 140th Wingof the Colorado Air National Guard.

The simulators were relocated from Vermont Air NationalGuard facilities at the Burlington International Airport prior to theirdelivery to Buckley AFB, and underwent a significant upgrade, which includedbringing them up to the current Block 30 System Capabilities Upgrade 9.0(SCU-9.0) configuration being used in the F-16C Block 30 aircraft.

The simulators feature 60 VRSG channels to simulate multiple views: out-the-window, embedded HUD, HMD/HMIT, real-time streaming protocol (RTSP) in the central display unit, ground map radar, targeting pod, and maverick missile displays. Together with MetaVR 3D terrain and models, the eight-screen cockpit displays with native 4K (4096-by-2160) resolution offer combat pilots an immersive field-of-view that renders the out-the window virtual environment with near 20/20 visual acuity.

MetaVR created a virtual replica of Buckley AFB and theGreater Denver area for the Buckley AFB simulators in order to providerealistic training for pilots. Details including runways, runway lights,signage, geospecific control tower and buildings, and other culture were builtusing MetaVR Terrain Tools for Esri ArcGIS from 15-centimeter-per-pixel imageryof the airfield area, and geolocated on the terrain with VRSG Scenario Editor.For simulating night scenes, the terrain contains thousands of cultural lightpoints of the airfield, Aurora and Denver.

The simulators are currently undergoing Initial OperationalCapability, with operational training set to begin in the fall.

“The F-16C is one of the world’s most widely deployed combatjet fighters, with a service life expected to continue for decades to come,”Garth Smith, president of MetaVR, commented. “Equipping its F-16C Block 30simulators with MetaVR’s VRSG is a vital part of keeping the US Air Force andAir National Guard F-16C training simulator capability in line with the realaircraft, enabling pilots to maintain currency in hyper-realistic environmentsto help ensure mission success.”

The installation of VRSG-equipped F-16C simulators atBuckley AFB follows the installation of F-16C simulators in the sameconfiguration at Lackland AFB for the Pilot Training Next initiative and TucsonAir National Guard Base in the fall of 2018. Luke AFB in Arizona also recentlyrenewed software maintenance for 62 VRSG licenses and one MetaVR Terrain Toolsfor Esri ArcGIS license for its F-16C Block 30/40 full-mission trainingsimulators; while F-16 simulators at Homestead Air Reserve Base and Ft. Worth NavalAir Station Joint Reserve Base have also recently renewed 22 VRSG licenses.