When designing a new aircraft, engineers must be able to get a feel for how the jet might come together and, generally, the only way to do that is to actually build a mock-up and crawl inside. Lockheed Martin is about to try a simulated approach the Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory. The CHIL is an advanced technology virtual reality and simulation laboratory that offers a smarter, cheaper and lower risk opportunity in building space systems, including satellites, exploration spacecraft, launch vehicles and missile defense systems. The virtual environment offers some tangible benefits (besides cost) over a real prototype. For one, changes can be made and quickly evaluated without having to build an entirely new model. It also makes it possible for several people to collaborate on a single model from across the country or across the globe. Models can even have data superimposed over them, so that engineers can quickly see important measurements. With a variety of technology applications, the CHIL can improve every stage of a program, from the concept phase to the operations and sustainment phase. If you’re like me, you’re wishing for a ‘port’ of Bad Company 2 or pretty much any RPG for total game immersion. For more information visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/ssc/chil/CHILbrochureexternal.pdf
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