3D video helps Pentagon visualize future weapons

Military contractors oftentimes have to “sell” people at the Pentagon and Congress to make investments in new military/weapons technology before it is even developed. Military contractors are finding that 3D video animations of their technology proposals can provide a powerful visual representation of the capabilities of newly proposed military/weapons technology.

We can share with you a few examples of such 3D video animations created for Raytheon, ATK and EDO by Heartwood Studios (www.hwd3d.com). Two examples include:

· Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – ATK wanted to communicate the drastically improved performance, utility and capability of its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). They went to Heartwood Studios to create a digital story using 3D animation and visual effects to illustrate how the product would be implemented and how it fit into the current system of existing components. Moreover, the 3D animation video provided the stimulation and emotional appeal that they had previously lacked. ATK used the digital story to educate its entire acquisition chain about the advantages of the new system, from the operator to the eventual developer and procurement officer, ensuring purchase and keeping this $150 million program alive in the military and in congress. This success gave ATK a leading edge in engaging the Italian Air Force and Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division for a successful test firing from an F/A-18 aircraft on May 25, 2007.

· Electronic Protection System – EDO worked with Heartwood Studios to develop a 3D animation video for their Electronic Protection System, which represented a $200 million contract that had initially been approved but then was shelved at the start of the war in Iraq. The 3D video is being used to reauthorize the project, and EDO believes it has been very helpful to their efforts to do this.