From: pat@jupiter.risc.rockwell.com (Pete Tinker)
Subject: Re: Virtual war and news media (was Re: MUDs and Magic)
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 91 14:47:17 GMT
Organization: Rockwell International Science Center



Bob Jacobson writes:

> [MODERATOR'S NOTE:  I was contacted by a reporter for the BALTIMORE SUN
> asking for my opinion about something called Operation Odin, otherwise
> known as the "Magic Carpet."  Allegedly, a 3D VR mockup of Kuwait and
> Iraq was being prepared for installation in Gen. Schwartzkopf's command
> center, but was not completed in time before the end of the blitzkrieg.
> Anyone with further information about this, please come forward, if your
> info is in the public domain.  If not, prudence is advised. 

The "Magic Carpet" essentially combines real-time scene generation of
battlefield activities with a viewpoint under operator control.  The military
(Army, I believe) had a tank corps take detailed data during a Desert Storm
battle.  These data were later gathered, filtered, and corrolated to produce a
detailed history of the battle, which was then combined with a DMA terrain
database.  Military historians are delighted with it -- they had apparently not
seen anything like it before, although certainly the display technology has
been available for some time now.

	Pete Tinker (pat@risc.rockwell.com)

	Science Center,	Rockwell International Corporation
	(805) 373-4268