Conference Papers

Emerging Concepts

A Distributed Systems Engineering Environment for Simulation Based Acquisition

Abstract

The acquisition of training systems with an increasing dependency on interoperability with other fielded systems presents new opportunities for the government and contractors. As training systems move from development and production into fielding, they are expected to be interoperable out of the box. Standards and protocols only provide a limited amount of confidence that interoperability is achievable, actual connectivity and testing prior to delivery is preferable to reduce risk. This paper will present a methodology for developing and maintaining a Distributed Systems Engineering Environment (DSEE) for training systems. This simulation based acquisition approach provides a capability to test system-wide concepts that previously were seen as too risky. Successful anecdotes from an existing instance of the USAF Distributed Mission Training (DMT) Development and Test Network (DTN) will be balanced against lessons learned and recommendations for the future. Foundation concepts for acquisition of diverse new training systems such as the US Army’s Future Combat Systems, with affordable risk reduction through a DSEE, will be presented. Increased performance of contractors and reduced cost to the government will be discussed.

Download and view full paper (PDF - 394 KB) - (23 Jun 08)

Achieving Standardized Live-Virtual Constructive Test and Training
Interactions via TENA

Abstract

Various implementations of Live, Virtual, and Constructive (L-V-C) interactions have been demonstrated across numerous test and training ranges over the past few years. However, the virtual world remains largely disconnected from everyday live test and training activities. The Test and Training Enabling Architecture (TENA) standard being adopted by the soon to be fielded P5 Combat Training System and the next generation Enhanced Range Application Program presents a host of possibilities for standardized live virtual interactions. The Air Forces Combat Air Force (CAF) Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) Office, responsible for a distributed, interoperable, high fidelity, global training solution for virtual-constructive Mission Training Systems, is currently implementing a TENA interface as part of their DIS-HLA Portal solution. This TENA Portal has the potential to link the P5 CTS, EnRAP and DMT systems via a standard TENA interface.

This paper identifies, reviews, and analyzes the current DMO L-V-C effort and near term opportunities to provide live virtual interfaces between live P5 CTS and EnRAP systems and virtual CAF DMO systems utilizing the TENA standard. These interactions’ would allow real-time live entities to be brought into the DMO virtual domain, and likewise, DMO entities brought into the live test and training domain. The interactions of live and virtual entities via TENA would be initially limited to audio, positional data, and weapons engagements; however, this level of interoperability represents a first step in realizing a standardized and affordable approach to achieving L-V-C test and training operations. This paper will also describe several efforts that would increase the fidelity of Live-Virtual interactions via a TENA standard interface.

Download and view full paper (PDF - 253 KB) - (23 Jun 08)

M&S Interoperability

CAF DMO Standards-Based Approach for Achieving M&S Interoperability

Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) is critical to United States Air Force (USAF) readiness and is the cornerstone of Air Force training transformation in accordance with Joint National Training Capability Initiatives as directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Combat Air Force (CAF) DMO is the foundation for revolutionizing training for the USAF. CAF DMO training systems (ex. F-15C, E-3, F-16CJ, JSTARS, B-1) are comprised of high fidelity man-in-the-loop virtual cockpits for training pilots, weapon system officers, and Command, Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C2ISR) crew stations. These Mission Training Centers (MTCs), or Federate Systems, also contain training aids which include manned threat stations, instructor-operator stations, environment generators, and Brief/De-brief solutions. The CAF DMO MTCs support both inter-team and intra-team composite force training for warfighters located in geographically separate locations throughout the world. Achieving the routine training vision for CAF DMO required the implementation of a standards-based architecture which facilitates an efficient integration and operations methodology.

The CAF DMO training architecture has been successfully implemented to provide a routine, global virtual-constructive training capability for the warfighter. With the number of CAF DMO training events in excess of 380 per year and growing, a future challenge becomes how this M&S training architecture can be expanded to support Live Range training assets and ultimately a routine DMO Live-Virtual-Constructive (L-V-C) training capability. A standards-based DMO L-V-C solution that is compatible across both Air Combat Command (ACC) and Pacific Air Force (PACAF) instrumented training ranges has been demonstrated which bridges High Level Architecture (HLA), Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), and Test and Training Enabling Architecture (TENA) protocols.

This paper discusses the various lessons learned associated with implementing the CAF DMO training solution for the United States Air Force. The primary foci of these lessons learned will be the development/execution of our standards development program, and the challenges associated with achieving interoperability solutions to address simulator interfaces, protocols, processes, and technical performance standards. Finally, the flexibility of this approach will be discussed to illustrate its applicability in expanding to encompass training in other domains.

Download and view full paper (PDF - 1.17 MB) - (1 Aug 08)

DMON MLS R&D

Multilevel Security Assessment for the Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON)

Abstract
This paper presents the technical and policy issues, architectural considerations, ongoing assessment results, and plans for Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON) multi-level security (MLS) implementation. In this paper, the Combat Air Force (CAF) Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) Operations and Integration (O&I) team builds on previous Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Multi-Level Security feasibility research and recommendations. Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations involves simulations built from components provided by independent vendors for different training communities. The Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations MLS problem comes when not all participants have the appropriate clearances for all information. There is a need for aircrews with different capabilities at different security levels, need-to-know, and categories to train together. MLS for simulation is a very challenging problem, not yet solved globally, yet critical to accurate representation of war fighting to distributed audiences at different security levels. Findings in this paper are based on a Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations O&I research and development (R&D) task order focusing on the integration of a MLS Guard into the Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Network. The research involves analyzing and documenting technical architectures for incorporating a MLS Guard into the evolving Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations system. The research also will include assessment of the MLS Guard integrated with the Combat Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Portal Kit in a test environment and on the Distributed Mission Operations Network. In addition, the research addresses training feasibility and associated limitations of the guard security rule sets.

Download and view full paper (PDF : 348kb)

Multilevel Security Feasibility In The M&S Training Environment

Abstract
This paper describes the results of a Distributed Mission Training (DMT) Operations and Integration (O&I) Research and Development (R&D) Task, DMT Multilevel Security (MLS) Feasibility Assessment, performed for the USAF. The focus of the study is the feasibility of employing MLS capabilities within a virtual training environment. MLS continues to be a significant challenge for military communications networks with unique issues arising in the modeling and simulation (M&S) context. The fundamental MLS issue in a simulation environment is how to construct a consistent, useful battlespace at each participating classification, while not revealing, through inference or direct disclosure, information for which participants are not cleared. The common battlespace consists of all observations and interactions possible among all participating Simulation Objects (e.g., Federates). Approaches that obscure aspects of the system that have observable effects impact the fidelity of the simulation event and may impact the training value of the event. Defining the common battlespace and obtaining agreement among the participating communities can then be difficult to accomplish. The achievement of M&S MLS solutions will require a clearly identified strategy defining security risk and identifying the policy and technology changes needed to move from isolated, system high, to distributed, MLS, training. Current MLS solutions only partially address the information sharing needs between simulated airframe, joint, and coalition communities. Based on technology and policy assessments, this paper provides a description of the core issues via scenarios for MLS in M&S and describes technical approaches using existing technology to solve these issues. This paper addresses policy considerations with an eye toward the potential changes needed for a fully functional MLS training system to be constructed.

Download and view full paper (PDF : 419kb)