The decision by the USMC to purchase an enterprise license of VBS marks a milestone for the product and validation that the Real Virtuality engine remains one of the most flexible, extendable and cost-effective military simulation tools available today.
Bohemia Interactive is delivering a wide range of VBS1 modules and functionality improvements including the USMC1 pack, After Action Review 3 (AAR3), Instructor Interface and other USMC-specific enhancements. Two versions of VBS1 will be delivered – ‘VBS1 Developer’ provides a fully functional product for use in simulation centers, and ‘VBS1 Lite’ is provided for wider distribution.
Bohemia Interactive is working closely with the USMC to finalise Virtual Battlespace 2 (VBS2), a completely new product based upon the brand new game engine Real Virtuality 2. VBS2 is being constantly improved in accordance with military feedback received from a range of VBS1 customers, including the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the USMC. VBS2 extends the adaptable, customisable nature of Operation Flashpoint and VBS1 to provide a tool that delivers rapid terrain generation for mission rehearsal in high fidelity, realistic environments, in addition to a host of other functional and graphical improvements.
Thanks to LVC (Live-Virtual-Constructive) Game by Calytrix, VBS1 and VBS2 will also be integrated into the USMC DVTE network, seamlessly interoperating with simulations such as JSAF. The DVTE will soon leverage a wide range of VBS2 enhancements including command and control functionality, modifiable agent-based AI and real-time mission editing. VBS1 and VBS2 may also be integrated with C2PC to provide a high-fidelity, networked environment linking the live and virtual domains (live marines in the field, tracked by GPS, interoperating with virtual entities controlled from within a USMC simulation centre).