An Inexpensive real-time interactive three-dimensional flight simulation system

Abstract

A prototype flight simulator for the Fiber-Optically Guided Missile (FOG-M) is presented. This prototype demonstrates the practicability and feasibility of using low-cost graphics hardware to produce acceptable simulation of flight over terrain generated from Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) digital elevation data. The flight simulator displays a dynamic, three-dimensional, out-the-window view of the terrain in real-time while responding to operator control inputs. The total system cost (software and hardware) of the simulator is an order of magnitude less than most flight simulation systems in current use.