Arcus: Collins Aerospace's novel training image generator revolutionizes aircrew simulation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 28, 2023
Collins Aerospace, a business unit of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), has announced the release of its latest innovation, Arcus, an image generator designed to significantly enhance aircrew training. This new technology uniquely integrates advanced rendering tools developed by Collins with the dynamic gaming technology of Epic Games' Unreal Engine, promising a more immersive and modular training experience for aviation professionals.

Arcus represents a significant step forward in synthetic training environments. It is tailored to support a broad range of platforms, including fast jets, air transport, mission-specific, rotary wing, and commercial aircraft. The open systems architecture of the Arcus image generator enables a high degree of flexibility, allowing it to be adapted to various training needs and devices.

Sharon Tabori, Senior Director and General Manager of Simulation and Training Solutions at Collins Aerospace, emphasized the importance of visual realism in simulation training. "Effective simulation training requires high-fidelity visual realism, and customers also need these technologies to seamlessly adapt to their varied training needs and devices," said Tabori. She further highlighted that the Arcus image generator is designed to offer flight simulation experiences that are not only efficient but also remarkably realistic, thanks to its improved graphic capabilities.

The Arcus system is built on common PC hardware and is compatible with a wide range of software applications. This versatility makes it suitable for different types of simulated flight devices, including full-flight simulators, flight training devices, and headset-based virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) systems. The use of common hardware and software across these platforms could potentially reduce costs and streamline training processes.

One of the key benefits of Arcus is its ability to adapt to changing training environments and evolving mission requirements. The integration of Epic Games' adaptable gaming technology with Collins' advanced visual systems allows users to easily implement new features and modify their training scenarios as needed. This adaptability is crucial for keeping pace with the evolving landscape of aviation training and ensuring that aircrew are prepared for a wide array of scenarios.

Collins Aerospace's Arcus image generator marks a new chapter in the field of aircrew training. By combining the latest in rendering technology with the flexibility and dynamism of gaming platforms, Collins Aerospace is aiming to set a new standard for realism and adaptability in flight simulation.

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