F-16 flight simulator

This article describes available F-16 simulations from the low end game to the high end research simulation. Focus is placed on fidelity and network/integration capabilitys and use of COTS products.

F-16 simulation Software
* Falcon4 F16 combat game
* Microsoft_Flight_Simulator simulation game focused on civilian flight simulation, but includes a simple F16 version.
* Gforce research simulator at TNO
* Arenalogic PC based F-16 combat flight simulator.
* Link3 flight simulators

Falcon 4
The legendary F-16 simulation game, has been considered the highest fidelity F-16 game on the market since it's initial release in 1998.

The game is a COTS product in itself. Several COTS hardware interfaces such as F-16 PC joysticks can used with the simulation

The game can be networked, but can not be integrated directly with other simulation platforms. Some tools exsist to extract some of the internal data from the simulation in realtime via shared memory. The primary purpose has been for cockpit builders to get dials and knobs operational in hardware cockpits.
see Falcon4

Microsoft_Flight_Simulator
Microsoft flight simulator models the F16 flight model and cockpit layout. The avionic implementation is however not complete, and lack most of the combat features.

HLA gateways has been developed for Microsoft flight simulator allowing it to be connected to other simulations.

Gforce F-16 research simulator
The National Aerospace Laboratory NLR operates a large, full motion, research flightsimulation facility: GFORCE (Generic Fighter Operations Research Cockpit Environ-ment). GFORCE is used for a range of different applications:— operational & human factors cockpit evaluation— distributed mission training research— training technology research— mission rehearsal— avionics integration research— rapid prototyping of new cockpit concepts— embedded training testbed— experimental PVI (Pilot Vehicle Interaction) devices.

The simulators use of COTS products is limited.

The Gforce simulation may opperate in a HLA environment.

Arenalogic F16 simulator
The F16 combat simulator delivers military level fidelity in weaponsystem, environment simulation and geo-specific large scale terrain support. The simulation is not available as a game, but is used for military training and for companies which need a professional air combat platform to integrate against.

The simulation is build using COTS products such as hardware accelerated physics (Ageia physics), Trackir and modifyed

Simulated systems include:
* LITENING_targeting_pod
* Sniper_XR

The simulator is HLA compliant allowing it to be networked with High-End military systems, as well as with other produtcs based on COTS products. The integration options include:
* Forward_air_control simulator
* Fighter Allocator simulator

Link3 F16 Aircrew training simulator
Link3 F-16 simulators is a High-end system used for military pilot training. It can be networked and integrated with SimuSphere visual displays and PC-based SimuView image generation systems.

Link's F-16 simulators support sensor simulation, head tracking, goggle displays and correlated databases into a single integrated system.

The system can be networked with other link3 simulators.

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