U.S. Air Force looking for space combat simulator

by Conrad Quilty-Harper on Jan 3rd 2006 8:15PM

DefenseTech.org brings us news of a massive research proposal from the United States Air Force, that calls for a space combat simulator to train people to shoot down satellites. This request is part of a larger effort of research into weapons in space and is entitled "Gaming and Training Environment for Counter Space Operations". In case you were wondering, the Air Force is also looking for concepts behind "High Power Optical Amplifiers", (friggin') lasers to you and me.

The report goes on to state that the objective is to "develop and demonstrate a game-based approach to training, rehearsal and exercise for offensive and defensive counterspace" and the report also mentions that the game should feature a "multiplayer gaming environment". The part where the report enthusiastically states "several of the activities in this effort represent true "firsts" for a game" confuses us a bit. Several of the requirements for this simulator are met by a small (literally - 2.6MB) game called Space Combat, developed by the creator of the popular flight sim X-Plane. Space Combat uses the same simulation techniques as its bigger brother, which has been used in the past by NASA and the people behind Space Ship One.

On the surface it looks as if the US Air Force got a little jealous of the popularity of the Army's official game: America's Army. The reality is that it's highly unlikely the Air Force would want to release such a simulator to the public if or when it's made. Whilst AA is used by soldiers as a training tool, the reason it was released to the public was to serve as a recruitment tool. But if you're desperate to see a U.S. Air Force branded version of Galaga, then you'll be interested in the requirement for "dual use commercialization". Apparently companies need to shoot down enemy satellites too.

[Thanks, noah]

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Reader Comments (4)

Space combat...?

Sounds like a little Tie Fighter to me.. man I would pay to see actual working X-Wing replicas

Im surprised there is not more posts.. But hello a simulator has been out for years "asteroids" And a magnifying glass makes a good optical amplifier.

Duh who's in charge here.

And this is where Babylon 5: Into the Fire would have been a good starting point had it not been canned. Real newtonian near-earth and deep space physics (3 laws), inertia, etc would have made a good base for a simpler mod (if required). Ah well, at least there is I've Found Her...

Come on, where's the love for FreeSpace and FreeSpace 2? FS1/2 to this day is one of the best space sims ever released. Though I did like the physics in Tachyon: The Fringe. Where oh where have all of the great space combat sims gone? (I'm looking at you, Volition!)