MoreImageLinks announced the availability of its TrueTerrain visualization/simulation data sets covering five of the world’s current areas of political interest – Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Qatar and the Korean Peninsula.
These highly accurate multi-layer terrain data sets were created by ImageLinks from multiple satellite image and spatial data sources using advanced rigorous sensor models, proprietary fusion algorithms, and control data for use in large-scale computerized flight simulation. These five data sets are available for rapid delivery in a variety of output formats.
“ImageLinks developed the TrueTerrain visualization/simulation products to enhance the efficiency and safety of military and commercial pilots,” said Tim Leary, ImageLinks Director of Business Development, Eastern U.S. “TrueTerrain data sets simulate extremely realistic topography and ground cover that enable pilots to rehearse low-level flying and landing in unfamiliar terrain before they actually go there.”
ImageLinks creates TrueTerrain products by merging and mosaicking multi-source satellite and aerial imagery of varying resolutions to achieve the illusion of descending in an aircraft and seeing increasingly sharper ground details. Elevation data is integrated to provide realistic terrain features. ImageLinks converts these extremely large data files into the unique formats and tiling structures required by computerized flight simulators.
“We have developed advanced rigorous sensor models to project the image data very accurately on the elevation data, creating extremely realistic terrain,” said Leary. “We also use atmospheric correction, robust tonal balancing and feathering algorithms to blend imagery of differing resolution to eliminate abrupt visual changes that can distract a pilot during training.”
ImageLinks builds the TrueTerrain products from several satellite image sources including 15-meter Landsat; 2.5-, 5- and 10-meter SPOT; 5-meter IRS; 1-meter IKONOS, and 0.6-meter QuickBird. Integrated CIB and DTED layers are also available to U.S. government agencies.
