LED displays gain ground for military simulator technology

IDSI's Visionflex Direct View curved LED display showcased at I/ITSEC 23. (Giles Ebbutt)

New display technology using LED (light emitting diode) panels, which offer advantages over traditional projector-based systems, was evidenced at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2023 in Orlando.

Immersive Display Solutions Inc (IDSI) showcased its Visionflex Direct View (DV) curved LED display. Andrew Jamison, IDSI general manager – special projects, told Janes that the display consisted of 144 panels arranged on a 150° × 40° curve with a 72 inch radius. The 0.9 pixel pitch panels were driven by two computers with Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation graphics cards, with three display output ports per card feeding into a display controller.

Although not confirmed by Jamison, an IDSI I/ITSEC press release revealed that the LED panels were supplied by Nanolumens from its Nixel Flex range. Jamison said that the cylindrical display is fully scalable, could extend to 360°, and be increased in height.

Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions (LMTLS) also showcased its Amorphic Appearance Zero-Projector Environment (AMAZE) visual display system (VDS). AMAZE integrates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) LED modules, based on those used in digital signage, and light relay technology to create a dome-like immersive solution using flat panels. The company exhibited a prototype half-dome system.

John Magda, Lockheed Martin visual display system engineer, said that the technology was based on using fibre-optic light relays that bring the image from the LED panels forward to create the full immersive effect.