Past performance
The long history of before and after the creation of DEFIANTXR.
Instructor station for the RW lab.
563Rd FTS DARPA REALWORLD
In 2007, the 563rd Flying Training Squadron at Randolph AFB, created a laboratory to experiment with networked gaming technology. They leveraged GATER II, which later became Air Combat Environment (ACE). Dan Meeks incorporated the laboratory into his undergraduate and international curriculum. This included the introduction of nascent Virtual Reality technology.
The “Mullet Mod” of the T-1A.
T-1A CSO MoDIFICATION
The CSO school moved from Randolph AFB to NAS Pensacola. The retired T-43A, where GATER II was used with GPS enabled laptops, was replaced with a modified T-1A Jayhawk with ACE-CSO integrated throughout the flight deck. Dan Meeks was involved in the delivery of this training system and was the first Field Service Representative serving Operations and Aircraft Maintenance.
Highly customized AJS configurations.
AFSOC JTAC SIMULATOR / J/TOSS 2.0
AFSOC held a “fly off” of industry available JTAC simulators to replace their existing simulator system. The combination of the MetaVR’s VRSG and BSI’s MACE was a perfect combination. Dan Meeks headed up the global rollout of these highly flexible Joint Fires simulators. Soon after Air Combat Command deployed a similar solution with Dan Meeks’ help. These systems trained many warriors until they were replaced with a more immersed solution: the AAJTS and JTC-TRS
Dan Meeks role playing during an exercise.
AAJTS and JTC-TRS
This grand iteration of a Joint Fires simulator involved many more companies and talented engineers to accomplish. Dan Meeks’ part to play was training operators on how to use the system, developing the giant volume of required content for the simulator. This involved accounting for all the relevant characteristics to be simulated as well as ensuring the audio and visual representations were realistic and immersive.
International collaboration in aviation.
CAVE, iCASS, and similar systems
While The AAJTS and JTC-TRS were large programs of record, the US Navy ordered their own versions, similar, but leveraging many existing components. Also, coalition partners wanted their own MACE/VRSG based joint fires simulators. Dan Meeks traveled to world to train teams and operators on how to integrate the various software and hardware involved to make a solid simulator.
XR being used at an exercise.
AFSOC, A-10C, MQ-9, and Readiness Traning Centers
The benefit of simulating Joint Fires is that you must simulate many things well and have them interoperate at the same time. MACE was simulating every aspect of the battlespace for networked training! MACE became the entity generator of choice at many Readiness Training Centers networked through out the world. Dan Meeks participated in many exercises and often visited RTCs to train technicians on the latest features and troubleshoot problems.
A Varjo based MACE/ARMOR cockpit.
Unity and the VR rennaissance
During most of Dan Meeks’ career desktop and projection dome simulators where the norm. However, new, inexpensive XR products were becoming available. Soon after, Dan Meeks delivered MACE/VRSG XR configured simulators. The Unity engine was at the forefront of this renaissance, and Dan Meeks, along with the BSI team, created Augmented Reality Mission Observation and Rehearsal (ARMOR). This is a versatile 3D battle viewer showing all the dense information which MACE processes in the battlespace.
VRARA Seattle Chapter meeting webspace.
WebXR and “The Metaverse”
While the rapid developments of the VR Renaissance were underway, Dan Meeks was heavily involved in a modern iteration of VRML, JanusVR: an application which turned the World Wide Web into a physical place. This project has moved to JanusXR, an open source project. Dan Meeks continues to develop for WebXR making various art, experiences, and applications.
VR ROCkdRILL
Also known as the ROC Drill (rehearsal of concepts). This is typically done with makeshift objects in an open space. VR ROCKDRILL was a collaborative VR tool to remotely brief a mission with user configurable terrain and imagery.
Reconfigured AFAMS SLED
AFAMS SLEDS
Dan Meeks headed up the refurbishment of the Unites States Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulations eXploration Division’s Strategic Lightweight Exploration Devices (SLEDS) These were former Pilot Training Next Immersive Training Devices re-fitted and networked with MACE and ARMOR, using various immersive hardware.
Mission Monitor shown on a tablet.
Mission Monitor
DEFIANTXR’s first product. This is a tool which leverages the power of MACE’s webserver assist those providing training. Being browser based affords countless use cases. These are the first steps to bringing this MACE content into WebXR.
A virtual visitor dances next to Dan.
WebXR experiments
Current public facing WebXR experiments like “Office Hours” and “Cul du Sac” are fun ways to test out ideas for immersive technology. These concepts are cemented in a sprit of play before being honed for serious applications.
SUNSHIELD modification
SUNSHIELD
A goal of DEFIANTXR is to make XR spatial in the world, not just within the confines of a room. SUNSHIELD is an attempt to make HTC XR hardware not designed nor warranted for outdoor use to operate with minimal risk outdoors in fair weather conditions.
DEFIANTXR LLC incorporated in October 2024. After leaving employment at Camber, Dan Meeks had been an independent contracting sole proprietorship doing business as himself or referred as Dan Meeks Consulting since 2011. Now Dan Meeks is the owner of DEFIANTXR LLC.