The race for realism in flight simulation has entered a new lap with both CAE/Sogitec and Evans & Sutherland (E&S) revealing plans for new versions of their high-end image generators.
E&S has begun work on an enhanced version of its Harmony image generator, which entered training service last month with the UK's Defence Helicopter Flying School. EADS Germany has already ordered the next-generation system, dubbed Harmony EPS(enhanced performance with shadows), for its Eurofighter development simulator.
Harmony EPS will offer "everything Harmony has, plus more at reduced cost," says Dave Janke, E&S vice-president, simulation systems strategy and marketing. The Salt Lake City, Utah-based company is aiming for a price/performance improvement of "better than two times", he says.
E&S will deliver an interim seven-channel Harmony system to EADS by the end of this year, and plans to hand over the definitive 11-channel Harmony EPS late next year. The simulator will feature a dome display using a "mosaic" of liquid-crystal display projectors.
CAE, meanwhile, plans to complete development of its Max-Vue Medallion high-performance visual system by year-end, adding features such as high-resolution calligraphic lighting to Sogitec's Apogee-3 image generator.
Work on an enhanced system, dubbed Medallion X, will start in January, says CAE. Development will involve a "respin" of the hardware to improve price/performance and is expected to take about 18 months. The enhanced system will be available from 2003 and will be offered for Eurofighter training devices.
• American Airlines has ordered two Evans & Sutherland ESIG-3350 visual systems for installation on Boeing 737 and 757 simulators at its Dallas, Texas, training centre.
Source: Flight International