Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 licensed for US Army Research

IT systems integrator, Intelligent Decisions has licensed Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 from ARA to further develop 3D training simulations for a U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) contract.

ID creates wearable device technology for mission training and "rehearsal world." It's contract with the U.S. Army revolves around creating a realistic training environment within the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS), a virtual training simulation developed by ID. The DSTS is currently used by the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation to improve instruction and "combat preparedness."

"Unreal Engine 3 will give ID's training scenario composers the ability to integrate an incoming fire haptic feedback system, full skeletal controls, and to customize terrain, weather, enemy forces, and other treacherous aspects of real life combat missions," said Clarence Pape, vice president of simulation and training at ID said in a prepared statement.

The licence comes through a partnership with ID, Applied Research Associates and Epic Games, to become a new member in the Unreal Government Network. The UGN is a network of government licensees of Epic's Unreal Engine.

"We selected the Unreal Government Network because it gives us access to a professional-grade ecosystem of resources that include full Unreal Engine source code access, technical support, training, and pre-existing simulation tools," Pape continued.