Unreal Engine, an open and advanced 3D game engine developed by Epic Games, is engaged in a long-term research and development effort with Lockheed Martin to create more realistic simulation solutions. This technology capitalizes on commercial game engine advancements for an integrated, scalable architecture that leverages an extensible plugin framework for future training and visualization efforts.
Lockheed Martin builds and delivers all sorts of technologies to customers around the world. This collaboration brings commercial and aerospace technologies together to increase customer readiness.
“When Unreal Engine comes into play, it allows Lockheed Martin to lead ahead and focus on the things that we're good at doing,” said Adam Breed, Strategic Technologies Architect at Lockheed Martin. “For instance, integrating avionics systems and creating immersive learning environments. Unreal Engine can support us with visualizations, the architecture of the gaming and simulation environments. As a result, we can utilize what Lockheed Martin brings to the table while leveraging the best of the gaming industry to make it a security-oriented product.”
The idea that game-based experiences are only used for entertainment is no longer the case. Similar to how the aerospace industry is rapidly evolving with new technology, game-engine technology is also changing.
The gaming capabilities that were previously used for entertainment can now be used to teach operational personnel. The same thing that is entertaining can also be educational.
Trainees are used to seeing these crystal-clear visuals in today’s commercial video games. So, they now expect to see this same eye-catching realism in the simulations Lockheed Martin delivers.
“Lockheed Martin is focused on providing training in a lot of ways. The game-engine technology has advanced so fast, and those lines have now blurred significantly,” Breed said. “Concepts like photo-realistic worlds make better-educated pilots and operators. The more real it is, the easier it is to educate somebody.”
Lockheed Martin is exhibiting at I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida, at booth #1748.
