Vehicle crew training system
A computer based simulation system for virtual training for vehicle crews is disclosed. The vehicle crew training system (VCTS) simulates crew positions for different military vehicles. Two or more crewman modules are networked together to support a partial or full vehicle crew. The crewman modules are self-contained devices that are modular in hardware and software design, easily reconfigurable, and that require minimal facility space, allowing use in restricted environments such as trailers. The VCTS is modular at the crew position level; crewman modules are added or deleted as required to meet a particular training need. One of the crewman modules can be a gunner module, which provides an unrestricted view of the simulated environment to the gunner by means of a display and a simulated vehicle-mounted weapon.
1. A computer-based simulation system for training vehicle crew members for operation of a multi-crew member vehicle, the simulation system comprising:
a plurality of self-contained modules, configured to simulate the operation of the multi-crew member vehicle, and further configured to be connected to one another by a network, wherein each module comprises:
a self-contained physical structure configured to provide a position for only an individual crew member, dedicated to a simulation of a single distinct crew station of the multi-crew member vehicle, and configured to operate while geographically separated from at least one other of the plurality of self-contained modules; and
a mechanical mockup within the self-contained physical structure, configured to dedicate the module to the simulation of the single distinct crew station.
2. The computer-based simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the position is configured to support a virtual dismounting of a trainee such that the trainee can exit the simulated single distinct crew station of the multi-crew-member vehicle while maintaining the ability to interact with a virtual environment from the vantage point of a dismounted position.
3. The computer-based simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the self-contained modules are reconfigurable.
4. The computer-based simulation system of claim 3 , wherein reconfigurable involves adding, deleting, or changing the mix of self-contained modules.
5. The computer-based simulation system of claim 3 , wherein the self-contained modules are reconfigurable to simulate multiple types of vehicles.
6. The computer-based simulation system of claim 3 , wherein the self-contained modules are reconfigurable to simulate multiple types of weapons.
7. The computer-based simulation system of claim 1 , further comprising an instructor station.
8. The computer-based simulation system of claim 7 , wherein the instructor station is configured to function as a replacement of one of the plurality of self-contained crewman modules.
9. The computer-based simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the simulation of the single distinct crew station comprises presenting a visual imagery to a vehicle crew member.
10. The computer-based simulation system of claim 9 , wherein the visual imagery presented to the vehicle crew member is configured at multiple levels of fidelity.
11. The computer-based simulation system of claim 10 , wherein a number of controls presented to the vehicle crew member is proportional to the level of fidelity.
12. The computer-based simulation system of claim 10 , wherein a lower fidelity level presents a subset of capabilities as compared to a higher level of fidelity.
13. The computer-based simulation system of claim 10 , wherein a lower fidelity level presents a lower level of visual imagery in terms of field of view, resolution, and scene content.
14. A self-contained crewman module for use in a simulation system simulating an operation of a multi-crew member vehicle, comprising:
first and second self-contained physical structures, wherein the first and second self-contained physical structures are each dedicated to a simulation of a single distinct crew station of a multi-crew member vehicle, wherein the first and second self-contained physical structures are geographically separated and are configured to be connected to each other by a network; and
a mechanical mockup within each of the first and second self-contained physical structures, configured for the simulation of the corresponding single distinct crew station.
15. The self-contained crewman module of claim 14 , wherein the position is configured to support a virtual dismounting of a trainee such that the trainee can exit the simulated multi-crew-member vehicle while maintaining the ability to interact with a virtual environment from the vantage point of a dismounted position.