Imitation of remote objects in the surrounding environment is ensured by collimator visual systems. Owing to the system of projectors, prisms and mirrors, such simulators generate lookup and lookdown imagery going to infinity. The shortcomings of collimator visual system simulators are their being cumbersome, lack of the 3D visual effect, limited field of view and ability to see the surrounding environment from the pilot’s station only.
The MiG corporation has developed a drastically novel type of advanced fighter simulator, which lacks these shortcomings and allows a high degree of accuracy in simulating the 3D surrounding environment the pilot sees from the cockpit. The simulator is based on the concept of generating 3D lookup and lookdown imagery with the use of special spectacles similar to those used in 3D cinemas. Just don the spectacles and the double flat image on the screen goes 3D. Owing to this, there is the complete illusion of real flight, and even a rookie pilot can easily guess the range to and the size of the objects he sees.

The advanced 3D simulator from the MiG corporation comprises the cabin imitating the combat station of the pilot of the up-to-date fighter of the MiG-29 type with real aircraft, engine and basic system controls, a projection system with a display, and digital computers with relevant software, controlling the operation of the simulator. A graphic example of the implementation of 3D effects in MiG’s advanced simulator is the imitation of mid-air refuelling, during which the contact between the virtual image of a tanker plane’s refuelling drogue and the real refuelling probe fitting the 3D simulator cabin is rendered.

The advantages offered by the 3D simulator’s 3D surrounding environment imagery has been appreciated by not only MiG’s test pilots, but pilots from other Russian aircraft developers and the Air Force. Foreign pilots sat in MiG’s 3D simulator when it was unveiled in Zhukovsky during MAKS 2011 in August this year. Many of them gave it raving reports, for there are no systems in Russia, Europe and the United States to rival the simulator.