SIMNET was a wide area network with vehicle simulators and displays for real-time distributed combat simulation: tanks, helicopters and airplanes in a virtual battlefield. SIMNET was developed for and used by the United States military. SIMNET development began in the mid-1980s, was fielded starting in 1987, and was used for training until successor programs came online well into the 1990s.
At the time SIMNET was fielded in 1987, I was the commanding officer of K Troop, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment (2ACR) in Amberg, Germany, during the Cold War. My tank platoons were the first to train in SIMNET at Grafenwohr, Germany. Surprising me, the white cell (or controller) hardware consisted of Macintosh Plus computers (I bought my first Mac in 1986). Our SIMNET experience was followed by a successful tank platoon live fire exercise.
SIMNET was developed by three companies: Delta Graphics, Inc.; Perceptronics, Inc.; and Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN), Inc. There was no prime contractor on SIMNET; independent contracts were let directly to each of these three companies. BBN developed the vehicle simulation and network software, as well as other software such as artillery, resupply, and semi-automated forces often used for opposing forces. Delta Graphics, based in Bellevue, Washington, developed the graphics system and terrain databases. Delta Graphics was eventually bought by BBN. Perceptronics, based in Los Angeles, was responsible for the actual SIMNET simulators; the company's engineers, human factors personnel and manufacturing team designed, developed and built over 300 full-crew simulators, integrating the controls, sound systems and visual systems into the special simulator shells; they also installed the simulators in a number of facilities in the US and Germany, trained the operators and supported the system for several years.
The major software components of SIMNET have become almost standard fare among distributed simulators today:· The Network Interface allows the software to interoperate with other simulators on a computer network.· The Image Generator Software creates the beautiful full-color images that present the scenario to the training audience.· A Controls & Displays Interface covert digital information from the computers into information that can be displayed on instruments in the vehicle. They also transform trainee input into digital signals that can be processed by the simulation computers.· The Other-Vehicle State Table tracks the state data on the other vehicles in the scenario.· Own Vehicle Dynamics software is used to model the vehicle in which the trainee is sitting. This software generates vehicle movement, firing, and communication.· The Sound Generator recreates the deafening sounds of combat - the roar of tank engines, the clanking of tracks against the terrain, the firing of munitions, and the explosions of incoming rounds.
SIMNET, along with the tank crew trainer UCOFT simulator, helped make K Troop, 2ACR, one of the top two tank units in the United States Army Europe.
At the time SIMNET was fielded in 1987, I was the commanding officer of K Troop, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment (2ACR) in Amberg, Germany, during the Cold War. My tank platoons were the first to train in SIMNET at Grafenwohr, Germany. Surprising me, the white cell (or controller) hardware consisted of Macintosh Plus computers (I bought my first Mac in 1986). Our SIMNET experience was followed by a successful tank platoon live fire exercise.
SIMNET was developed by three companies: Delta Graphics, Inc.; Perceptronics, Inc.; and Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN), Inc. There was no prime contractor on SIMNET; independent contracts were let directly to each of these three companies. BBN developed the vehicle simulation and network software, as well as other software such as artillery, resupply, and semi-automated forces often used for opposing forces. Delta Graphics, based in Bellevue, Washington, developed the graphics system and terrain databases. Delta Graphics was eventually bought by BBN. Perceptronics, based in Los Angeles, was responsible for the actual SIMNET simulators; the company's engineers, human factors personnel and manufacturing team designed, developed and built over 300 full-crew simulators, integrating the controls, sound systems and visual systems into the special simulator shells; they also installed the simulators in a number of facilities in the US and Germany, trained the operators and supported the system for several years.
The major software components of SIMNET have become almost standard fare among distributed simulators today:· The Network Interface allows the software to interoperate with other simulators on a computer network.· The Image Generator Software creates the beautiful full-color images that present the scenario to the training audience.· A Controls & Displays Interface covert digital information from the computers into information that can be displayed on instruments in the vehicle. They also transform trainee input into digital signals that can be processed by the simulation computers.· The Other-Vehicle State Table tracks the state data on the other vehicles in the scenario.· Own Vehicle Dynamics software is used to model the vehicle in which the trainee is sitting. This software generates vehicle movement, firing, and communication.· The Sound Generator recreates the deafening sounds of combat - the roar of tank engines, the clanking of tracks against the terrain, the firing of munitions, and the explosions of incoming rounds.
SIMNET, along with the tank crew trainer UCOFT simulator, helped make K Troop, 2ACR, one of the top two tank units in the United States Army Europe.
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