Weather is a force multiplier and its affect on tactical operations can be significant, due to the dependence of modern weapons systems on multi-spectral electro-optical technology. To ge effective training and planning devices, combat simulation systems often lack the performance required for high fidelity simulations, due to a variety of limiting factors, including access to or availability of modeling and graphics software, computer equipment, I/O technology and user interface restrictions. In order to develop high-fidelity simulations requires advances in all of the above areas. The specific area to be addressed in this proposal is combining visual and physical realism of simulated weather conditions to support high fidelity simulations of military operations. We propose to investigate, evaluate, select and develop advanced, innovative techniques for physically-based modelling and rendering of environmental conditions to support high fidelity of military operations. In particular we will examine the use of massively parallel computers, distributed computing and a physically-based model for weather conditions in the creation of visually realistic weather simulations. The proposed technology will then be used as the basis for a weather visualization system to be developed in Phase II.
