QinetiQ Selects Tempest for DSALT
November
2009
XPI Simulation Ltd (XPI) has been awarded a contract by QinetiQ
to supply a solution developed around its “Tempest” simulation
graphics software as part of an upgrade to the
MoD Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training (DSALT) facility
at RAF Waddington.
PC based image generators with XPI’s Tempest software will be integrated into the QinetiQ run DSALT facility as part of a series of current system upgrades to deliver greater availability and system robustness. The Tempest software provides both pilots and ground forces with high quality computer generated terrain imagery, along with many of the military and civil assets and structures commonly found in Afghanistan and other global regions. It has been optimised to operate on the latest PC hardware platform but still offers a future proof development and upgrade path.
“Tempest is a mature product which meets the customer’s current needs for high quality visualisation, while providing a future proof path to forthcoming advances in graphics technologies such as real time ray tracing and common databases,” explained Simon Skinner, managing director of XPI. “We are pleased to have been selected for this contract. Working closely with QinetiQ on this demanding requirement, Tempest software will provide improved capability and performance to the DSALT facility.
The DSALT facility is a key element of the Air Battlespace Training Centre, a partnership between RAF and industry to improve the training of UK frontline forces. The facility can also be linked to a variety of other simulated or live air, land or maritime assets to further enhance the training.
The DSALT facility is primarily used for pre-deployment training for HQ level fire planning cells and fire support teams who are going to the Afghanistan front line. These teams act as the eyes and ears on the front line for artillery batteries and often work alongside the RAF pilots operating in the region while engaged in ground attack missions. By working together in this training environment they will safely experience the complexities of operating in fast-moving situations and be better equipped to effectively control aircraft, artillery and other assets.
ENDS