Distance training and learning in a distributed simulation environment

Web-based training systems offer enhanced functionality for co-operative courseware production and management. Neverthe-less, these system approaches are mostly dedicated to distributed information presentation, and interaction exploring the poten-tials of current Internet / WWW technologies (e.g. Java, HTML, VRML). In this article a simulation-based training scenario in a distributed environment is introduced, which offers extended functionality for interaction and demonstration within the training scenario. The runtime infrastructure is based on HLA/RTI while Clients are based on Qt as well as on MFC developed using Visual C++ as well as on the Java development kit. This article describes a research project at the Computer Graphics Center (ZGDV) in collaboration with small Small and Medium Enterprises in the Maritime field application area.