VBS2 Virtual Training Kit – Available April 2008
VBS2 has passed a major milestone, with the completion of the extensive Virtual Training Kit (VTK) enhancements. Through the sponsorship of both the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MoD), and feedback from other major customers including the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces, VBS2 VTK represents the state-of-the-art for commercial-off-the-shelf, desktop PC-based virtual training.
Our mandate for VBS2 VTK was simple: extend the capability of VBS2 to deliver a truly customizable, robust and feature-rich virtual environment oriented towards tactical training and mission rehearsal. The target for the VBS2 VTK is the military end user – BIA has effectively handed the power for content creation (rapid development of 3D models and terrain) and modification over to the boots-on-the-ground either at home or deployed.
The VBS2 VTK enhancements represent 12 months of continuous development by Bohemia Interactive Australia (BIA), in close partnership with Bohemia Interactive Studios (BIS) and Calytrix Technologies. Almost every aspect of the simulation was improved with an emphasis on ease-of-use, building upon a decade of lessons learnt from previous Bohemia Interactive products including DARWARS Ambush!, VBS1 and of course VBS2 which has been in heavy use since its initial release in early 2007.
The VBS2 VTK replaces the VBS2 Desktop Trainer and will be available worldwide from early April 2008. It will be provided as a free update to all customers. VBS2 VTK is a completed product, a highly capable virtual environment ready for use by modern warfighters. Go to the VBS2 VTK product page for more information...
|
Editor and AAR Enhancements:
Mission editor improvementsThe Offline Mission Editor (OME) now supports 3D waypoints and linking, a greater range of IED related features, and includes a briefing editor. The VBS2 Editor now also supports layers and merging scenarios.
Group, unit and weapon editorsNew types of groups and units (individual entities) can be defined from within the VBS2 mission editor, and weapon attachments can be configured in-simulation.
RTE improvementsThe Real Time Editor (RTE) can now be operated on any computer on the network, updates automatically as the scenario changes and now includes a developer console.
C2 Interface improvementsThe Command and Control (C2) Interface now supports group hierarchies, allowing individuals to command large numbers of subordinate units in Real Time.
After-action review enhancements The VBS2 After-Action Review (AAR) now includes bookmarks and statistics, and supports playback of recorded voice (requires additional products, contact BIA for more info).
 |
|
|
Development Suite Enhancements:
Rapid terrain development enhancementsImport real-world data quickly and efficiently, and also in-simulation real time terrain editing.
Configuration editorModify a wide range of configuration settings for simulated entities in a stand-alone application with an intuitive user interface.
Import of 2D mapIt is now possible to import a geo-referenced topographical map as well as satellite imagery when importing real-world terrain. |
|
|
Environment Enhancements:
Destructible environmentThe VBS2 environment can now be made to destruct in a realistic fashion, including destructible buildings (an example destructible terrain area is provided).
Deformable terrainThe VBS2 terrain can be deformed in real time and will deform as a result of explosions.
BreachingThe capability to breach wire, doors, walls and windows has been added via a range of new action menu items, and interaction with urban areas in general has been greatly improved. |
|
Entity Enhancements:
Updated fatigue/morale/suppression modelsPhysical and psychological characteristics can now be defined for entities (either AI or human controlled).
Handling of wounded and enemyVBS2 now supports battlefield clearance (dragging wounded), and the ability to command POWs (who may surrender depending on their situation and morale).
Realistic inventoryThe VBS2 inventory is now weight-based and supports containers, and is tied into the updated fatigue model.
Hand SignalsVBS2 now supports gestures (separate upper torso animation), which are used to provide hand signals and also reloading on the move.
Support for culture and language trainingVBS2 VTK supports two-way Arabic conversations with AI entities via a text-based conversation system. More realistic crowd AI has been implemented and also crowd control functions.
Improved AI
AI path-planning has been improved and optimized (multi core processors are now exploited), and AI will now use cover, lean around corners and generally act more realistically.
Additional civilian representations
VBS2 now includes children and also afghan entities.
 |
|
|
Vehicle and Weapon Platform Enhancements:
Thermal ImagingVBS2 now includes a highly researched TI model with numerous modes and configuration options, with support for heating and cooling of vehicle components in real time.
Armored gunnery enhancementsVBS2 now features commander override and a generic lase/lead lock simulation, as well as more realistic gunnery sights.
Vehicle recoveryVBS2 now supports towing and articulated vehicles. |
|
|
Incident Response Enhancements:
Non-lethal weapon simulationA range of non-lethal weapons are included, ranging from non-lethal shotgun rounds through to a functional Active Denial System (ADS) for crowd clearance.
Basic incident response simulationAdditional IEDs have been implemented and IED options improved, and VBS2 now includes a bomb disposal unit and a bomb detection dog.
Basic NBC simulationUSMC MOPP levels are simulated (a simulated entity can now don an NBC suite), and NBC munitions are simulated at a basic level. |
|
|
US Army Content:
VBS2 now includes a wide range of highly realistic US Army entities, weapons and vehicles. DARWARS Ambush! 3D representations have been replicated in VBS2 at much higher levels of detail and realism. |
|
|
Open Platform Enhancements:
Application Scripting Interface (ASI)With a view to supporting external AI, VBS2 now supports external ‘plugins’ DLL's that can directly access the powerful VBS2 scripting language. |
|
|
|
