HIGH LEVEL ARCHITECTURE PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK

Dr. Judith S. Dahmann, Defense Modeling and Simulation Office;

Dr. Richard M. Weatherly, MITRE Corporation;

 

Dr. Russell D. Richardson, Science Applications International Corporation;

Richard A. Briggs, Virtual Technology Corporation

 

The US Department of Defense through the Defense Modeling Simulation Office (DMSO) has developed the High Level Architecture (HLA) to support the reuse and interoperability of simulations. In HLA applications, “federations” of simulations are formed by bringing together simulations and support tools which as a group meet the needs of the users. The running federation operates as a single, distributed system so each component of the federation execution (the federates, the run-time infrastructure (RTI), and the networking/host hardware) levy performance requirements on the other components. This paper discusses efforts underway by DMSO to develop an HLA performance framework to aid users in configuring federations with components which have the capacity and performance to meet the needs of their HLA applications. The framework will be discussed, including the Federation Execution (Fedex) Planners Workbook and a set of benchmark programs. The Fedex Planners workbook is comprised of a series of tables which call for information about a federation execution . The table format and content was developed in concert with the architecture management group (AMG) and was deemed relevant by HLA users, and RTI developers and testers. Entries in the tables include information about federate capabilities, RTI services, federation interactions, hardware being used, and network configurations. The benchmark programs are a set of standard tests implemented as simple federates that quantify the primary axes of performance of the RTI given a specific hardware and network environment. This paper will provide examples of the use of the Fedex planners workbook in developing a federation comprised of the benchmark programs.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

THE HLA OBJECT MODEL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Robert Lutz

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

 

Roy Scrudder

Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas at Austin

 

The United States Department of Defense (US DoD) Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Master Plan, formally adopted in October 1995, established the need for a Common Technical Framework to facilitate efficient and effective use of models and simulations across US DoD agencies. The US DoD High Level Architecture (HLA) is a critical component of the Common Technical Framework, and currently represents the highest priority within the US DoD M&S community. The purpose of the HLA is to facilitate interoperability between simulation systems and reuse of simulation components. Key to achieving these objectives is the concept of the object model. HLA Federation Object Models (FOMs) are used to define the exchange of public data among participants in an HLA federation. HLA Simulation Object Models (SOMs) are used to describe the intrinsic capabilities that individual simulation systems can offer to HLA federations. The HLA Object Model Template (OMT) defines a common structure for describing the content and format of an HLA object model. The primary purpose of this paper is to describe a systematic approach to the development of HLA object models. Since the specific activities necessary to construct FOMs and SOMs are inherently different, each will be described according to a separate process model. Each process model has been built upon the experiences of the HLA prototype federations (protofederations), and represents a consensus among several development communities regarding "best practices." Each process description is intended as a generic guide to HLA object model development, readily tailorable to specific applications. In addition, this paper will describe current efforts by the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) to facilitate the HLA Object Model Development Process through development of supporting software tools. The current HLA Object Model Tool Suite consists of three types of components; Object Model Development Tools (OMDT) to support the creation and editing of FOMs and SOMs, the Object Model Library (OML) to provide a centralized electronic repository of HLA object models, and the Object Model Data Dictionary System (OMDDS) to establish and provide access to common semantics and syntax for components of HLA object models. The use of these tools in the HLA Object Model Development Process will be highlighted in the tool descriptions.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

A STATE TRANSITION VIEW OF UPDATES AND INTERACTIONS

Richard M. Weatherly, Ph.D

Susan F. Symington

The MITRE Corporation

 

James M. Ivers

Carnegie Mellon University

 

To be an effective standard for the interoperability of DoD simulations, a rigorous model of High Level Architecture (HLA) Run-time Infrastructure (RTI) behavior is required. This paper uses a series of state transition diagrams to formally describe the conditions under which an HLA federate may invoke and receive RTI services related to updating and reflecting attribute values and sending and receiving interactions. The state transition diagrams describe the states of federates, objects, attributes, and interaction classes and the valid RTI service invocation-related transitions that can be made among these states. The on going work presented in this paper is part of the HLA development process underway in the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) and the DoD Architecture Management Group.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

 

INDIVIDUAL COMBATANTS IN DISMOUNTED WARRIOR NETWORK

Traci A. Jones

Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM), Orlando, FL

 

Paul T. Barham

Reality by Design, Monterey, CA

 

Brian D. Plamondon

Lockheed Martin Information Systems,Orlando, FL

 

In Spring 1997, STRICOM conducted Dismounted Warrior Network (DWN) engineering experiments and user level exercises to investigate Virtual Individual Combatant Simulation (VICS) technologies. The DWN project supports a Defense Technology Objective (DTO) for Individual Combatant and Small Unit Operations Simulation. During these experiments, four major virtual systems, integrated with Dismounted Infantry Semi-Autonomous Forces (DI SAF), were analyzed for their contributions in support of individual and collective Individual Combatant (IC) simulation tasks. The purpose of this effort was to develop a set of requirements for IC simulation to support the Training, Exercises, and Military Operations (TEMO), Advanced Concepts and Requirements (ACR) and Research, Development and Acquisition (RDA) domains. During the engineering experiments, emphasis was on examining simulation subcomponents and their benefits. User exercises were conducted at the system level to determine issues of interoperability and examination of tactical operations. We will discuss execution of the experiments and resultant lessons learned.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

 

BEYOND DATA DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT

Andy Ceranowicz

Advanced Telecommunication, Inc.

 

To support more applications, military simulations must scale up to support both larger scenarios and greater detail. Finding the additional computing power to simultaneously increase size and resolution is a major challenge. Distributing the simulation over multiple processors is one way of getting additional computating resources, but it is limited by the capacity to communicate simulation state between processors. Data Distribution Management (DDM) addresses the efficient distribution of simulation state. It is a part of the United States Department of Defense High Level Architecture's Run Time Infrastructure. Data Distribution Management allows distributed simulations to limit the data that needs to be transmitted between computers. Potentially this technique allows us to create arbitrarily large simulations by adding more computers to the simulation. The DARPA Synthetic Theater of War Demonstration has provided the initial proof of this approach. However, every project has a limit to the number of computers it can buy. To make large scale high resolution simulation practical for general use we need approaches that provide larger scale and more detail without requiring more computing power. This paper introduces an approach called "Lazy Simulation" that extends the publish and subscribe techniques used in DDM to limit what is computed. The technique is called Lazy Simulation because it avoids computations unless they are explicitly requested.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

DIS-HLA GATEWAY LESSONS LEARNED

Daniel J. Paterson

Eric Anschuetz

Naval Air Warfare Center

Training Systems Division, Orlando, FL

 

This paper describes a project to perform the conversion of a DIS legacy system to HLA. This paper captures the insight into our approach to satisfy the ten HLA rules, five for federations and five for federates. This paper captures the lessons learned from the application the HLA Run-Time Infrastructure (RTI) Services, Object Model Development Tools (OMDT) and Real-time Platform Reference Federation Object Model (RPR-FOM) that we investigated in order to prepare to incorporate HLA into a DIS infrastructure.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

MEMS - A MODULAR ELECTRIC MOTION SYSTEM FOR SIMULATOR AND FOR LEISURE APPLICATIONS

Robert Alet

Manager Of Civil And Military Ground Vehicle, Design Office

Thomson Training & Simulation, France

 

The need for a motion system in between high-end six DOF (Degree Of Freedom) motion system and a seat shaker system is explained according to a functional analysis and a design to cost approach. Many international reports show that most of ground vehicles or military aircraft require only 3 DOF motion systems. The performance specifications of the system are given. The technical details on the innovative and original concept are provided. The key features of the system are: - an original three DOF kinematics which simplifies the mechanical interfaces, suppressing the unuseful DOF, so that the cost represents mainly the needed functions, - the kinematics based on the use of industrial two orthogonal axis gearboxes of which performances can be chosen according to final application: for leisure industry at a low cost, up to high fidelity simulator application. The MEMS takes advantage from GAAEL (ref. [1]), French acronym for Electric Attitudes and Accelerations Generator patented in 1988, of which over twenty-five units are used by four different armies (tank, truck and aircraft simulators). The kinematics of the MEMS was patented in early 1997. The MEMS uses components from GAAEL which has been proving that this new design is more ergonomic, reliable and efficient. It has a lower cost and needs less power than the same application based on a hydraulic system. Performances are superior or equal to sophisticated hydraulic motion systems which are up to now the reference. MEMS is a basis of a wide range of versatile products from which the three DOF version is now working for leisure simulators and will be implemented in tank simulators.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

DETERMINATION AND VALIDATION OF VISUAL CUE REQUIREMENTS USING PILOT VISUAL CUE ANALYSIS

Richard J. Heintzman, Robert P. Bateman

SIMTEC, Incorporated

 

James E. Brown

Training Systems Product Group, United States Air Force

 

Visual simulation requirements for fighter aircraft training simulators are far more demanding than what is required for commercial aircraft or wide-body military aircraft training simulators. The tactical missions are highly complex and include numerous demanding visually oriented tasks. These complex mission tasks place demands on visual system performance including a large viewing field (full-field-of-view), image resolution of the displayed image approaching the limits of the human eye, and complex database detail requirements. Describing visual requirements in purely engineering terms has not been able to deliver a system that meets operation requirements. Conveying the fighter visual out-the-window requirements from the pilot subject matter experts to the acquisition community, development contractor, and finally to the design engineers has proven to be a challenging and almost insurmountable problem. The purpose of this analysis is to define air-to-air and air-to-surface visual flight tasks in operational terms, that an engineer and/or manager can interpret. The visual cue analysis describes each flight task and its visual cues and references together with descriptions of how the visual cues and references are used during the performance of the flight tasks. When completed, this data base will be made available to industry and academia for purposes of determining visual system hardware, software and database development requirements.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A FORCE CUEING EVALUATION METHOD FOR TACTICAL TRAINING

Richard J. Heintzman

SIMTEC, Incorporated

 

Matthew Middendorf

Middendorf Scientific Services Inc.

 

James D. Basinger

Training Systems Product Group, Aeronautical Systems Center

United States Air Force (USAF)

 

As the fidelity increases for tactical aircraft training simulation devices, especially visual simulation, the contribution of Force Cueing needs to be established. The pilot in the aircraft constantly experiences various forces. These forces provide cues, consciously and unconsciously, about the accelerations of the aircraft resulting from pilot control input, the environment and aircraft failure. In a static simulator, these cues are not present. In a simulator with force cueing devices; such as motion platform, dynamic seat, G-suit; the contribution of Force Cues to pilot performance and training are virtually unknown. The issue of Force Cueing contribution for tactical aircraft training devices has been unanswered for twenty-five years. As the use of training devices increases and as these devices are being used for combat rehearsal, the contributions of Force Cueing needs to be established to ensure that the combat pilot performance in the simulator will be as close as possible to performance in the aircraft. As a result of an initial study conducted for the US Air Force by SIMTEC, Inc., Manassas, Virginia, it was concluded that the effectiveness of potential force cueing devices could only be determined by evaluation in a mission context with experienced operational pilot (Heintzman, 1997). The Air Force had already successfully performed similar operational evaluations of visual combat simulators, under a program referred to as "Vis-Eval" using these same ground rules. However, it was recognized in this study that force cueing effects are much more subtle and harder to isolate than visual cues and, therefore, would be more difficult to evaluate. Because of this difficulty and other factors, such as the pilots may be unaware of changes in their control strategy as a function of force cueing, it was essential that a force cueing evaluation be based largely on objective data collection. The concept which has been developed is to measure pilot behavior, physiology and performance and use that data together with subjective pilot opinion to evaluate system effectiveness. A trial evaluation was recently conducted in a fighter simulator to identify which pilot behaviors could be measured and how the data could be collected and analyzed. This simulator had a limited field of view visual display and three force cueing devices. Five task scenarios were flown by experienced fighter pilots with and without the presence of force cueing. Control activity and vehicle state data were analyzed to examine the effects of force cueing on pilot performance and control behavior. A debriefing questionnaire was used to elicit the pilot's subjective evaluation. The presence of force cueing generally improved pilot performance, control behavior, and made the simulator more operationally realistic. Due to the preliminary nature of this trial evaluation, only a subset of the force cueing evaluation methodology was identified. Future study is warranted. This paper describes the evaluation method and the results of the trial evaluation as well as future Force Cueing evaluation needs. The initial efforts to develop this evaluation method were reported at ITEC 97.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

A LCLV PROJECTOR FOR WIDE FIELD OF VIEW FLIGHT SIMULATOR

Marc Renault; Jean-Jacques Fontaine

Thomson Training & Simulation

Cergy-Pontoise France

 

A new high brightness high resolution projector for wide visual field of view flight simulators is presented. This display combines the Liquid Crystal Light Valve Technology with all the features necessary for multichannel projection onto a dome screen. A full digital correction system and an automatic alignment system have been designed to accurately match and blend adjacent channels. Projector design is reviewed and design trade-offs are explained.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

GEOSPECIFIC TEXTURES FOR VISUAL SIMULATION

M. Suter, Ph. Meuret, D. Nüesch K. Ch. Graf

Remote Sensing Laboratories Environmental Systems Research Institute

Department of Geography (ESRI)

 

This paper imparts the basics of remote sensing and of the processing of satellite images and aerial photographs with regard to geospecific landscape visualization. Remote sensing platform-and sensor-types and the particular systems used in this work are first described. Examples of NOAA AVHRR, Landsat TM, and SPOT HRV images, as well as aerial photographs are shown. The appropriate pro-processing steps, including geometric and radiometric corrections along with image enhancement procedures are outlined in the second part. Finally, examples of realistic 3rd landscape rendering are presented. These perspective views are rendered using mosaics of many images at various resolutions together with the appropriate digital elevation model.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

COTS USAGE - A CASE STUDY, CTT

David P. Gdovin, Angel Rodriguez

Diamond Visionics Company

 

The CCTT (Close Combat Tactical Trainer) Team training program was awarded in late 1993 by the U.S. Army. This simulation program, the largest ever awarded, has undergone an extensive development and testing program, and is scheduled to go into full production in 1999. In the fall of 1995 after prototype development and deployment, a key component supplier announced they would no longer manufacture the component, and no direct replacement was available. A Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract was initiated through the Army SBIR program to recommend an alternative solution. The resulting study (Phase I) examined 30 potential solutions, using a weighted matrix for scoring the results. The final recommendation is being developed in a prototype phase II contract, to be ready to fit within the final production contract to be let in early 1999. This paper deals with the issues of inserting new technology into a tightly integrated, technically complex solution to the visual system on the CCTT Commanders Popped Hatch Display. The issues are technical performance, cost, supportability, and production delivery schedule compatibility. These issues are typical problems encountered when parts become obsolete, but are unique problems when the obsolete part is identified at the end of the prototype phase just prior to the production phase. The CCTT program is dealing with the issues in a unique and innovative manner. This paper will discuss the issues, problems, and the methodology to solve the problem, and at a high level the solution to the problem.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE MASTER ENVIRONMENTAL LIBRARY (MEL)*

Dr. Richard Siquig

Naval Research Laboratory

 

Chuck Stein, Mirror Imaging, Inc.

 

Dr. Naim Alper , Steve Lowe, SAIC

 

The Master Environmental Library (MEL) is a World Wide Web (WWW) based data discovery and retrieval system providing access via a consistent single interface to oceanographic, terrain, atmospheric, and near space data bases and related tools residing in geographically distributed resource sites with arbitrary data base configurations and data formats. The key features of MEL are a consistent metadata contents standard for the data, a common user friendly interface, a generic order/delivery system, and use of standard transfer formats. Existing data centers can become MEL resource sites without changing their current data management methods or architecture and retain complete control over data releasability.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE SYNTHETIC ENVIRONMENT DATA REPRESENTATION AND INTERCHANGE SPECIFICATION (SEDRIS) DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Paul G. Foley

MITRE Corporation

Defense Modeling and Simulation Office

 

Farid Mamaghani

Institute for Defense Analyses

 

Dr. Paul A. Birkel

MITRE Corporation

 

A common representation of the physical environment is a critical element in Modeling and Simulation (M&S) and is a necessary precondition for the interoperability of heterogeneous simulations. The level of interoperability achieved depends heavily upon the degree of consistency, completeness, and unambiguous definition of environmental data. Today, no uniform and effective standard mechanism exists for describing, reusing, and interchanging environmental data among MS applications. Additionally, data sharing rarely occurs between the operational and simulation communities even though each community uses representations of the same physical aspects of the real world. The SEDRIS project was conceived and implemented to capture and provide a complete (terrain, ocean, atmosphere, and space) data model of the physical environment, access methods, and interchange format. These SEDRIS developed mechanisms facilitate interoperability among heterogeneous simulations by providing complete and unambiguous interchange of environmental data. The range of M&S applications addressed in the SEDRIS development includes training, analysis, and system acquisition and supports visual, computer generated forces, and sensor perspectives. When completed in 1998, the data interchange specification will support the pre-runtime distribution of source data, three-dimensional models, and integrated databases that describe the physical environment for both simulation and operational use.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

ONESAF: THE SINGLE SOLUTION FOR SAF HLA COMPLIANCE

Susan Harkrider, Sandra Veautour

U.S. Army STRICOM

 

The 1996 Army Computer Generated Forces (CGF) Assessment evaluated seven primary CGFs for effectiveness in meeting the needs across the Army TEMO, ACR, and RDA Modeling & Simulation (M&S) domains. The assessment determined the Army required a single Semi-Automated Forces (SAF) solution in order to meet the needs of the three M&S domains and reduce the overall cost of CGF development and life cycle support. Presently all CGFs perform development and maintenance for domain specific needs, however, the development is often redundant. Modular Semi-Automated Forces (ModSAF) is the only CGF that addresses cross-domain requirements. And, although ModSAF works, it is often viewed as a "kluge", which is not an efficient solution to the Army's problem. With the development of OneSAF, advanced SAF architectural features will be implemented, resulting in a product that is able to address cross domain requirements. At a minimum, these requirements include time-based vs. entity based simulation and object-oriented design practices. The HLA compliant OneSAF will be a 12-15 year solution for SAFs and CGFs. Standard object definitions will be developed, thus allowing multiple developers to "code" behaviors for easy integration into an Army baseline. This solution facilitates development for use in the Navy/Marine Corps and the Air Force, as well as allied governments. Army uses include the entity-based simulation ("rounding out the battlefield") for training devices; experimental weapons development and evaluation; course of action analysis; and model analysis, just to name a few. OOTW, engineering level modeling, and closed-loop simulation will be developed in the baseline SAF to allow for the phasing out of existing CGF solutions. OneSAF, the single SAF solution, potentially affords significant savings to the users. Savings are achieved through configuration management and development in a single baseline, which is designed and implemented for multiple domains. Interoperability is facilitated between live, virtual and constructive simulations by developing federations and attaining HLA compliance. This paper describes the OneSAF program, and why it should be viewed as the HLA compliant SAF solution.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

AN OVERVIEW OF PROJECT "FLASHLAMP" AND THE HIGH LEVEL ARCHITECTURE

Michael J Watson, Gerard Magee

CIS Sector DERA

 

Graham Shanks, GEC Marconi.

 

Project FlasHLAmp is a co-operative programme between UK MOD, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) and UK Industry. The project incorporates shared financial funding (called the Beacon initiative) between Industry and MOD. The initial goal for project "FlasHLAmp" was to provide UK MOD, Industry and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) with an understanding of the use, software development, and application of the US High Level Architecture (HLA) and thus provide information and experience to exploit HLA for compatibility, interoperability and software reuse. This goal would be achieved through the co-operation of DERA and the US Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) enabling access to the US Run Time Infrastructure (RTI) software. Project FlasHLAmp would specifically examine, by a hands-on approach, the potential of the HLA for training and analysis. This technology transfer would enable UK Industry to evaluate the HLA, and its application to simulation interoperability and re-use and thus help to shape future investment strategies. It would also enable industry to raise issues to both MOD and the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organisation (SISO) communities about the viability of HLA. In achieving these aims, one objective of Project "FlasHLAmp" was to develop and demonstrate two prototype Federations, known as the "Analysis Federation" and the "Warfighting Federation". This paper will give an overview of project FlasHLAmp, it aims, objectives and some conclusions to date. In particular it will describe the federations that have been developed and demonstrated and also give a fuller description regarding the UK Run Time Infrastructure (UK RTI) and the Real-time Platform Reference Federation Object Model (RPR-FOM).

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

FUTURE ROYAL NAVY WARFARE TEAM TRAINING EQUIPMENT POLICY

Cdr A S MIKLINSKI

Royal Navy, UK

 

The quality of the trained man, sub-team and full team has been, and must remain, one of the key factors which gives the RN its operational edge. Training enables operations to continue effectively in the confusion and stress of combat. For operators, the training culminates in Operations Room Simulators (ORSs) where much of the current Warfare Team Training (WTT) is conducted. The continuing need to deliver this training at lower cost, together with advances in technology which have generated a number of new options for WTT, have led to the development of this paper by DOR(Sea). The aim of the paper is to determine the Royal Navy equipment policy for WTT for the next 15 years. WTT is essential to RN OC. The constraints of Fleet usage preclude the movement of significant amounts of shore-based training to sea. There must, therefore, be a continuing commitment to shore-based ORSs for future classes of ships/subs together with improved continuation training facilities at sea. The enhanced on-board facilities will be provided through a confederated capability, and this enhancement will be funded by an increase in the use of CBT at the expense of GFE dominated Skill Trainers, together with a reduction in ORS costs. A TDP will be required to determine the applicability and affordability of confederation and the use of DIS/HLA. Embedded training functionality must be available within Ops Room sub-systems. It is recommended that: a. Embedded trainers. Embedded training functionality should be installed in all individual combat sub-systems, to permit full federation and/or confederation. b. Skill Trainers. Skill trainers are not procured for new classes of ship or submarine, except where CBT and ORSs are demonstrably, unable to satisfy the WTT OPS. c. Career Training. Career training should be conducted ashore using enhanced CBT and generic, reconfigurable ORSs funded by parent platform projects. d. Continuation Training. Continuation training should be conducted at sea through a confederated capability and, when necessary ashore on the appropriate ORS. Confederation should be de-risked through a Technology Demonstrator Programme.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

CO-OPERATIVE AGENTS FOR MODELLING OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR

Fazal Ahmad

Intelligent Agents / Distributed Simulation, Logica

 

Army operations have evolved over recent years to include new types of operation such as peacekeeping and aid delivery in which the use of force is not the optimal means of achieving the objective. Existing simulation facilities were not ideally suited to performing studies into Operations Other than War (OOTW) as they were developed essentially for combat modelling. There was a need to be able to describe the new types of operation in terms of real-world organisations and interactions, and apply detail where necessary. Distributed agent technology is being exploited to model new types of operations, while ensuring valid analytical benefit from this approach. This paper describes the agent approach to analysis using the Co-operative Agent Building Environment (CABLE) developed under the European Collaboration for the Long-term in Defence (EUCLID) programme, and how the agent approach may help analysts better understand the problem domain. It also proposes an extension to the HLA SOM to ensure a proper ordering to interactions and hence maintain a valid protocol.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

INTELLIGENT AGENTS FOR DISTRIBUTED INTERACTIVE BATTLEFIELD SIMULATION

Sakir Kocabas, Ercan Oztemel, Mahmut Uludag and Nazim Koc

Marmara Research Center, Department of AI

 

An artificial intelligence system, AISim has been developed by the AI Group at MRC, within the framework of the multinational simulation project EUCLID RTP 11.3. AISim has been developed to enable a simulated F16 to behave intelligently in DIS scenarios, in CAP and Escort missions. The system's capabilities have been tested in two successful DIS scenario demonstrations in November 1996 and January 1997. In the last demonstration AISim was tested to direct three AI targets instead of one, at which the system was found to be realistic. The controls an AI Target to perform tasks such as Navigation, Patrol, Escort, BVR and WVR Engagements, Air-to-Air Refueling, Disengage and Return-to- Base in offensive and defensive roles in Escort and CAP scenarios.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

EFFECTIVE TRAINING WITH SIMULATORS

Dr. John C.G.M. van Rooij

TNO Human Factors Research Institute

Department of Training and Instruction

 

With advances in simulation technology, an increasing amount of training and instruction is delivered on training simulators instead of on the real system. Unfortunately, there are limitations to what can be simulated. In addition, the cost of training simulators may be very substantial. The purpose of the MASTER project (EUCLID RTP 11.1) is to improve the benefit / cost ratio of (military) training simulators. This is accomplished by gathering and integrating existing knowledge with respect to (military) training and simulation and by rendering this knowledge accessible to those involved in the procurement, the development, and the deployment of training simulators, viz. managers, engineers, and instructors. In this paper the background and the organisation of the MASTER project is described. Also, one of the main results of the MASTER project, viz. the MASTER methodology for the systematic specification of simulator requirements, is outlined. Finally, the plans for future work will be discussed briefly.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

SIMULATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE WASIF

E.Öztemel, S Kocabas , B.G. Cetiner

Tubitak Marmara Research Center (MRC)

Information Technology Research Institute,

 Artificial Intelligence Group

 

Current stream of technology seems to be combining both simulation and on-the-job training to achieve better performance with manageable resources. This paper describes a feasibility study performed to define a framework of a simulation management system of such a training environment called WaSiF (WeApon system Simulation In Flight). This work is a part of European Long Term in Defence (EUCLID) Research and Technology Projects (RTP 11.7). The over all project was conducted by an international consortium including MRC of Turkey, DASA of Germany and NLR of The Netherlands. The paper will only focus on the simulation management aspect of the project.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

WASIF -VIRTUAL ONBOARD SCENARIOS FOR AIR DEFENCE TRAINING

Klaus H. Bartoldus

Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG

Military Aircraft Division

 

ir Menso C.v. Sijll

Nationaal Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium (NLR)

Avionics Department

 

Solutions have to be found to be able to train NATO pilots for air-to-air missions more intensively and thus more effectively without using expensive training facilities or extensive multi-national exercises. More effective training is necessary because of ever decreasing budgets, reduction in flying NATO air defense units, decreasing aircraft availability thus resulting in less individual training flights per pilot, and increasing weapon system capability and complexity. A new and additional driver is NATO's reaction to the changed political environment with the deployment of reaction forces into non-predetermined operational areas. In addition to the training in real weapon systems and in ground based full mission simulators, training with "WeApon system Simulation In Flight (WaSiF)" inflight is deemed to be very effective and may overcome deficiencies known to be inherent in ground based simulation. This would be accomplished by rendering the pilot within virtual air-to-air scenarios with virtual target(s) in his operational cockpit displaying a realistic tactical behavior (e.g. within visual range on a Helmet Mounted Display), which the pilot can engage with onboard simulated and stimulated sensors and weapons. For realistic training the simulation would also include applicable electronic counter measures and electronic protective measures as well as other (ground) threats to be expected in an operational air-to-air theatre. This paper is deducted from the European Cooperation for the Long Term In Defence (EUCLID) Research and Technology Project (RTP) 11.7 “Training Simulation Combining Real and Simulated Systems (WaSiF)". This project has been the combined work of the industrial consortium made of Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) as Single Legal Industrial Entity (SLIE), the TÜBITAK Marmara Research Center as the Turkish industrial entity, and the Nationaal Luchten Ruimtevaartlaboratorium (NLR) and Fokker Space BV (FS) as subcontractor to NLR as the dutch industrial entities. This paper describes the work performed within the RTP 11.7, results found, and directions given for a follow-on project to culminate in an in-flight demonstration of WaSiF capabilities whereas the second paper within the context of WaSiF from TÜBITAK Marmara Research Center describes the Simulation Management System for WaSiF".

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE NEXT GENERATION OF SIMULATION DATA BASE SOFTWARE

Yves Boudaud, Sogitec Industries

 

The future generation of simulation Data Base Generation Systems (DBGS) will be characterized by the convergence of simulation and mission rehearsal fields of application, by the appearance of new input data, specially in satellite imagery, by new technology in image generation. The data base to produce will be more and more large, dense and requiring a high degree of realism. So, the main challenge of DBGS is the productivity. For this reason, a big effort must be made on the improvement of the automatization of the DBGS functions. The DBGS has to produce multiple data bases, all used in one single simulation or used in distributed simulation. These data bases, for visual and sensor rendering, for mission support functions, with multiple level of detail representations, must all be coherent. The DBGS must ensure this coherence. The data bases must be reusable and must be shared between multiple simulation systems. Although the exchange of data bases at the final level seem today an unreachable goal, the DBGS must at least ensure the possibility of exchange at a higher level using a standard format. SIF is up to now the only independent standard, but will probably replaced by SEDRIS in a few years. A DBGS may be seen according to different perspectives. Several views are examined in this paper: the Project 2851 view, the SEDRIS view, the open architecture view, the server view. These views, very different, are however not incompatible and each of them highlights important points for the structure of a DBGS. An architecture of a DBGS is presented. This architecture is functional, any DBGS manufacturer being free for the most performing implementation. However, the principles described in this architecture are important to meet the goals of productivity, coherence and reusability. This architecture takes advantage of lessons learned from standardization efforts (Project 2851 and SIF, France SIF data base, SEDRIS) and from the comparison of several existing products. The need of a SSDB (Source Simulation Data Base) is highlighted; a transformed data base level must also exist, but must not be strictly separated from the SSDB; on the contrary, SSDB and transformed data bases are partial visions of a same data base. The requirements for the content of a SSDB are analyzed. Some structuring techniques are proposed to enhance the productivity of data base generation. The requirements of the main modules of a DBGS are listed. The work presented in this paper is originated from the EUCLID RTP11.4 study: « Visual and Electro/Optical Sensor Scene Data Bases ». RTP11.4 is performed for BWB (Germany) and DGA (France) by DASA, TT&S and SOGITEC. This work is an intermediate step in the RTP11.4 study and will be refined in subsequent tasks!

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

TEN YEARS AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE SIMULATION

Dr Peter Clark:

Australian Co-Chairman, International Simulation Advisory Group

 

The Australian Defence Force is planning to develop a nationwide "virtual" training infrastructure, linking a wide variety of equipment and warfighting simulation systems, over the next ten years. The national infrastructure, initially based on the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) standard DIS2.1.4 (and later upgraded to embrace HLA), will be used to support single service and joint service training activities, as well as mission rehearsal, development of doctrine and operational tactics, and support future capability development. An Australian Simulation Master Plan, which outlines this development, has been developed by the author, but at the time of publication remained as a draft document awaiting endorsement by senior Defence committees. Endorsement is expected in late 1998, following the conduct of an audit of Defence Simulation by the Australian National Audit Office. The formation of an Australian Defence Simulation Office (ADSO) is also proposed, and is likely to be formed in 1999.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

INTER-ACTIVE TRAINING SYSTEM FOR MORSE CODE VISUAL SIGNAL TRAINING FOR THE ROYAL NAVY

Lieutenant Paul A Rae Royal Navy

 

One of the oldest training requirements in the Royal Navy is to teach seamen of the Communications specialisation the skill of communicating with signal projector lamps using Visual Morse Code. The traditional methods and media for conducting this training relied on instructors teaching the visual symbols using manually operated lamps to large groups of students. The students were then given a chance to operated the lamps on a one to one basis. This training was time consuming and dependant on manpower, and thus expensive. In 1995 the effects of training course length rationalisation and the introduction of 'lean-man' ships, made it clear that the traditional training strategy was faltering. As a consequence, a new and innovative approach using computer based technologies was specified by HMS COLLINGWOOD and a system was developed commercially by Westland System Assessment Ltd. This paper will cover the training and software design methodology of the system and discuss the philosophy and instructional strategy of teaching students to learn the Morse symbols using inter-active, computer led software. It will also cover the computer systems ability to inter-actively transmit and receive NATO Visual Signal procedures using a 5" signal lamp in the classroom and a 10" signal lamp, on a remote site, as the interfaces The assessment strategy, student / instructor facilities and authoring tools will also be covered. Finally, the substantial operational and financial benefits will be discussed.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers 

COST-EFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF INTERACTIVE COURSEWARE

Herbert Kristen

Managing Director of Vindobona AB

 

Johan Skoglöf

Managing Director of DSU AB

 

Requirements for training to be efficient and effective have in the past few years increased in the Swedish Army. Such requirements derive from increased and more complex requirements put on con-scripted soldiers, the introduction of increasingly complex weapon systems, and budgetary cuts in per-sonnel resources. This situation has made the use of Interactive Courseware (ICW) in basic and advanced training more common and more important. A limiting factor in the use of ICW has, however, been the relatively high costs of production. Also, in order to control costs of maintaining ICW for complex weapon systems, as e.g. a main battle tank system, high demands on maintainability and standardisation of lesson components must be made. This paper discusses experiences made with ICW for the Swedish Combat Vehicle 90, as well as requirements for the CALS-based ICW that will be produced for the new Swedish MBT, the Leopard 2b Improved. The ICW system solution used by the Swedish Army is a client/server solution, where all media and information is stored in a SQL database. The structure follows, wherever possible, the system break-down of the weapon system. Media is stored in compliance with CALS standards. Experiences are promising. Time used for producing one hour of ICW, which traditionally could amount to several hundreds of hours, is now well under 100 hours. This is made possible through the use of a template-based authoring tool, which has eliminated traditional programming. Far-reaching modularisation and breakdown of lessons and media have made extensive re-use of lesson components possible. This approach has also reduced time spent on production of media.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

LOW COST COMPUTER SIMULATION IN THE ROYAL NAVY

Lieutenant C B Cook , Lieutenant Commander J M Hammersley

Royal Naval School of Educational and Training Technology

 

 

The way in which organisations conduct their training is changing: demand for cost effectiveness has forced trainers to recognise the important role that low cost simulation can play in today's instructional environment. Providing one to one instruction on a portable platform, PC-based simulations can reduce the requirement for on-job training and ensure that operational equipment released for training is used to maximum efficiency. The Royal Navy has recognised that low cost simulations can be of real benefit in training. HMS SULTAN, the Royal Navy's lead school for marine engineering, trains marine engineers in fault diagnostics, where a single physical mock-up of steering gear from a Type 42 Destroyer is used to generate fault finding scenarios. A training requirement was identified for trainees to receive one to one familiarisation with the steering gear equipment which would give each individual the opportunity to practise fault finding skills. At present, due to having only one set of equipment, there is limited access to the steering gear, and trainees are constrained to work in groups. The Royal Naval School of Educational and Training Technology offered to build, and have completed, a PC-based simulation of the steering gear with embedded fault options for diagnosis. Additionally, instructors can add to the library of fault scenarios via a simple authoring interface. Written by a university student as his final year project, the simulation is programmed in Visual Basic® and operates in a Windows® environment, running on a standard Intel® 486 machine and SVGA monitor. This paper will discuss the development lifecycle of the simulation and the project management methodology adopted. Additionally, the functionality and user interface of the simulation will be illustrated in detail. Using actual development resource records, the paper will conclude with the proposal that low cost PC-based simulations can indeed provide effective training solutions.

 

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COMPUTER BASED RADIO COMMUNICATION TRAINING IFR

Thomas R. Dittmann

Lufthansa Flight Training Pilot School

Theoretical Department

 

The program "Communication Procedures IFR" is the further development of "Communication Procedures VFR" which was presented at the ITEC 97. The program deals with IFR communications and is based on ICAO regulations as contained in Annex 10 (Vol II), Doc 4444, and Doc 9432 (Manual of Radiotelephony). This gives pilots of around the world the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the basic require-ments concerning IFR radio communications as laid down by ICAO. The program is able to teach basics like the pronunciation of figures, the ICAO alphabet, contents and interpretation of the ATIS, standard words and phrases, and the contents and sequence of reports which are required at specific locations. It is also able to get the students used to the microphone and therewith help them to loose the fear of talking on a frequency. And hopefully it is able to make a contribution to standardise IFR communication around the world.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

REDUCING DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND INCREASING INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY OF CBT PRODUCTS

Katharine Golas, PhD

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas

 

Lt CDR Ron Gordon, Lt CDR Bryan Davis

Royal Naval Submarine School

 

Few would argue that computer-based training (CBT) is one of the most instructionally valuable training delivery systems available today. With more powerful computing technologies now available at lower cost, the emergence of digital multimedia, and the possibilities offered by the World Wide Web for delivery of interactive courseware, the popularity of CBT is continuing to increase at a rapid rate. While the process of developing CBT offers numerous challenges to the developer, many organisations are adapting new process models to keep development costs reasonable and instructional quality high. One such model, called the Contingent Approach, was presented at the International Training Equipment Conference (ITEC) by Davis and Hall (1996). This model reflects a movement away from rigorously applied procedures and emphasises adaptability to changing environments. As this model indicates, it is possible to reduce the overall effort to produce instructional system development (ISD) products such as CBT by combining the right resources with the right technological advances, with an end goal of building quality into the instructional product. At the 8th ITEC, Golas and Gordon (1997) presented a paper titled "Implementation of a Front-End Analysis to Streamline the CBT Development Process" in which they described how the Contingent Approach Model was implemented during the analysis and design phases on two Royal Navy projects to reduce CBT development costs and maintain a high degree of customer satisfaction. With the Contingent Approach, the CBT analysis and design phases were conducted simultaneously. By combining the two phases into one, a detailed specification was prepared which included CBT storyboards, a CBT production schedule, estimated costs to produce the CBT, and selection of the most appropriate authoring system. This paper describes the development and implementation phases of the two RN projects and shows how the continued efforts on the part of the RN to implement the Contingent Approach have saved time and money. The quantified savings in cost and time using the new approach are reported. A model for estimating the costs given the implementation of the Contingent Approach is also provided.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

INTEGRATION OF IETMs WITH CBT - A ROYAL NAVAL PROTOTYPE

Lieutenant Commander J M Hammersley, Lieutenant C B Cook

Royal Naval School of Educational and Training Technology

 

It has been proposed by the Royal Navy, that within 5 years all paper-based technical reference manuals will have been converted into the electronic format of Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs). This venture is being co-ordinated by the Head of Integrated Logistic Support (Navy) (HILS(N)), Foxhill, Bath, UK. While the IETM is intended to be the primary source of technical reference information for operational support, it was on the initiative of the Royal Naval School of Training Technology (RNSETT) that the impact of IETMs on training first became addressed by the RN community The RNSETT, closely supported by HILS(N), were particularly interested in the ability to integrate training and technical reference material within the IETM. Specifically, it was hoped that additional media such as digital video, animations, photographs, text and interactive Computer Based Training (CBT) for training purposes could be incorporated within the IETM. Equally importantly, it was set as a priority that the close integration of the training and technical reference material be investigated, with an emphasis on ensuring that the materials be updated simultaneously while achieving minimal data redundancy. A prototype project had already been initiated where the paper based reference manuals dealing with the Type 23 Frigate's propulsion system were being converted to an IETM. HILS(N) had already co-ordinated modularisation of this legacy material which was stored on a Common Source Database as Standardised General Mark-up Language (SGML) files, to be viewed using a proprietary browser. An area where CBT would be a useful initial and on-job (continuation) training aid was identified, concerning the drills and procedures associated with the Type 23's Secondary Electrical Control Panel (SECP). The RN has experienced great success in the introduction of CBT as cost-effective training media for training the drills and procedures associated with the operation of equipment. A close working relationship was formed between the RNSETT and HMS SULTAN, lead school for teaching the SECP procedures. The CBT was developed rapidly in order to meet the deadlines set within the core IETM project. This paper will discuss the lifecycle of the CBT development and its integration with the IETM. The benefits of the close co-operation between the RNSETT, HMS SULTAN, HILS(N) and the commercial contractors responsible for modularising the data and producing the browser will be illustrated. The paper will conclude with a description of the lessons learned from this prototype, and a discussion of the implications for future RN CBT production and IETM development.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

INTERACTIVE INFOLOGISTICS MULTIMEDIA BASED TECHNICAL TRAINING

Göte R Persson

Defence Materiel Administration, Air Force Logistics Directorate

 

Traditionally, the training of ground crew and technicians take place on the aircraft itself and on what could be referred to as "hot rigs", i. e. assembled functional units and parts of the aircraft. Increased electrical vulnerability, increased aircraft system complexity, and a very high degree of system integration in modern aircraft have outdated many traditional processes for education. The goal to accomplish cost-effective and satisfying technical training is calling for new training methods and equipment. The approach has been to consider technical training requirements as part of the overall logistics plan and to train technicians in an integrated training system. The training system is one of a suite of training equipment with true interactive and multi-media capabilities based on the philosophy of reusability.

 

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EQUIPMENT EMULATION FOR TRAINING

Eur. Ing. Alex Lever,

VEGA Group PLC,

 

Mr. Ian McCrudden,

British Aerospace (Operations) Ltd,

 

In an ideal world training would be conducted on the real system in the real environment. Complex pieces of equipment such as fighter aircraft and satellite communication systems would be designed not only for their primary role but also for training operators and maintainers. The cost of purchase and support, or the wealth of the training establishment, and health and safety rules would be such that it would be possible to buy equipment in such quantities that each Student would have their own set of equipment and be able to destroy it through mishandling while learning. In reality the situation is very different. The need for training rigs and part task trainers is well established. Simulation techniques are fully accepted for operator training whether truck drivers or aircrew, where the need for overall fidelity demands replication of the physical environment. Synthetic training devices for maintenance personnel have also included replication of physical environments such as cockpit layouts and Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) racks. These simulation techniques usually require a high degree of computing power. The need for fully physical replication is justified in some areas in order to meet the stated training requirement, but in other cases, for both operators and maintainers alike, the skills to be acquired are predominantly cognitive. In these cases, a virtual emulation technique using high resolution computer graphics combined with a high fidelity software model to represent the equipment provides effective practical cognitive training. This paper briefly describes equipment emulation; a universally applicable approach developed to satisfy the cognitive training need (Ref. 2). It discusses the arguments for employing emulation systems as training devices using the example of the Tornado Avionics Systems Maintenance Trainer (TASMT) (Figure 1) recently contracted by British Aerospace Systems and Services (BAe).

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

TRENDS AND POTENTIAL FOR WEB-BASED TRAINING

Dr. Ann E. Barron

Vice President, Interactive Media Corporation

 

Michael Ralph

Corporate Program Manager for Training Technology

 

The Web offers a very efficient environment for worldwide delivery of courseware. Initial Web-based training (WBT) courses were developed using HTML, JavaScript, and Java. Recently, plug-ins for Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer have opened a whole new realm of possibilities for the delivery of training via the World Wide Web. In addition, courseware management software, such as WebCT, TopClass, Web Course in a Box, and Learning Space, is now being developed that provides online discussion groups, quizzes, and student tracking features. This paper explores various alternatives for creating courseware for Web-based delivery. In addition, various technologies, such as streaming video, virtual realities, and video-conferencing, with potential for Web-based instruction are reviewed.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION METHODOLOGIES (HAKAM)

Moshe Ben-Porath, MHT,

Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd, Lod, Israel

 

The Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management become the key-issues for long-term survival in the Era of Changes and the fierce competition in the global market. The Human Factor determines the limitations of performance of the sophisticated high-tech systems. Since the gap between the graduates of the educational institutes and the needs of the industries, airlines, and the armed forces becomes critical, it is necessary to implement new methodologies to dynamically keep the leading-edge of the individual capabilities and skills. The Holistic Approach for Knowledge Acquisition Methodologies (HAKAM) developed by MHT is "combat-proved" and was applied in many projects for the IDF and both military and civil foreign customers. It ensures the Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness of the knowledge acquisition processes. Setting parameters, criteria, and standards lead to Knowledge Engineering as a coherent approach for knowledge-packaging according to the needs of various knowledge-customers. These cover areas such as Training-Needs Analysis, training design and training-aids, User-Friendly Documentation, and Integrated Electronic Knowledge-bases (IETK) including Computer-Based Training (CBT), Electronic Manuals and Integrated Logistics Management (ILM). The nucleus of the HAKAM - the IJPT (Integrated Job-Performance Training) - became a formal IDF military standard and all training activities and packages in the IDF are developed according to it. Based upon IJPT, MHT developed another standard which has been formally adopted by the IDF as well as civil establishment - the User-Friendly Documentation (UFD). It is implemented both in technical and administrative areas. The concepts of the UFD, as a tool both for training and for work, were implemented also in electronic media. IETK which integrates CBT, Electronic Documentation, and ILM is applied both for maintenance and administration. To ensure optimal utilization of knowledge, the HAKAM integrates in the Knowledge Acquisition process the Instrumental Enrichment (IE).The IE method and tools were developed by Prof. Feurstein to enhance thinking skills, to learn how to learn, to increase intrinsic motivation and to equip the individual with cognitive tools to enable constant improvement of the adaptability to the ever-changing environment. Together with the unique method for the dynamic assessment of the individual potential (Learning Propensity Assessment Device) this holistic approach ensures that the Human-Factor will be the strongest link in the loop of the systems for managers, commanders, operators, pilots and technical staff. The integration of IE with IJPT dramatically improved the achievements of technicians and performance of managers and instructors, both in IAI and in foreign organizations. The presentation illustrates the methodologies and their implementation.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

DESIGNING PERFORMANCE SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR MILITARY APPLICATIONS

Michael Ralph

Training Technology Analysis & Technology

 

Dr. Ann E. Barron

Interactive Media Corporation

 

An electronic Performance Support System (PSS) is designed to provide information, training, and resources to users on an "on-demand" basis. These systems can vary in complexity from a relatively simple job aid to a sophisticated, integrated program with artificial intelligence. This article outlines the major components of PSS programs, presents factors that influence the time and costs involved to produce the programs, and provides a case study of a military application. The design of a PSS is quite different from the design of computer-based instruction. Although an overall menu structure may exist, the user generally has a great deal of freedom to move around in the system and access specific parts. In addition, hyperlinks usually exist to connect multimedia and textual resources. This presentation provides guidelines and suggestions for the design and development of electronic performance support systems. In order to demonstrate the design guidelines, a case study of the development of a PSS for the U.S. Navy Mine Sweeping Set will be provided. This PSS was designed to allow access to technical documentation, training on maintenance procedures, and illustrated parts break-down (IPB) information for maintenance technicians. The IPB component contains engineering drawings of each assembly. Users can manipulate the drawings and zoom the view in or out. The PSS also links to a database containing all of the textual IPB information (government standards, vendor information, part numbers, descriptions, and attaching parts). Additional applications of performance support systems will also be demonstrated.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

THE SELECTION OF COST EFFECTIVE TRAINING MEDIA

Lieutenant Commander Nigel Talbot, Lieutenant Katharine Hutton

Royal Naval School of Educational and Training Technology

 

All training provided in the Royal Navy (RN) is in support of an operational requirement. To ensure that the training requirement is correctly identified, the RN is mandated to conduct a Training Needs Analysis (TNA). The RN's own TNA process is product based and comprises four deliverables of which the final deliverable is a Training Media Analysis (TMA). The TMA will include an estimate of training effectiveness together with an appraisal of associated costs and benefits. The TNA therefore ensures that an auditable link is maintained between the operational requirement, the associated training need, and the chosen training media options. Before procurement can begin, a method is needed whereby the cost effectiveness of the various media options can be determined and compared. Whilst in principle the RN TNA strategy does not intend to be over prescriptive, there is an over-riding requirement to provide guidance to teams carrying out TNA work. To make a quantitative comparison between training media options and select that which is the most cost effective, a criterion based analysis process has been developed. It is a decision making process which considers all of the criteria which contribute towards an ideal solution, such as operational and fidelity requirements and system usability, as well as predicted life cycle costs. By ranking how well each media option meets each criterion and applying a score, a measurement of training effectiveness for each training equipment option can be obtained. The eventual training media solution may be a combination of options when all of the criteria contributing to training effectiveness and costs have been taken into account. The aim of this paper is to suggest and discuss an approach which can be used to assist in the selection of training media by assessing the effectiveness and the costs of all options in a consistent and auditable way, and which, by being tailored to the specific constraints of each project, can be applied to all TNAs.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

NAVAL COMBAT SYSTEMS MODELLING FOR WEAPONS ENGINEERING TRAINING AT HMS COLLINGWOOD - A CASE STUDY

Lieutenant Paul A Rae, Royal Navy

 

In modern warfare one of the most important functions of the engineering department is to provide the command with the readiness state of weapons systems, particularly if defects or damage have been sustained. Providing the command with this information and advising on weapons limitation is the responsibility of the Weapons Engineering Officers and Senior technicians. Although extensive theory training can be carried out regarding the engineering discipline it is difficult to consolidate the practical application of the skills and knowledge without an actual Warship. Until recently the consolidation training of this theory was required conducted at sea, however, HMS COLLINGWOOD have commissioned a software project that will model and simulate the weapons system of a warship and the interdependencies of services such as power, chilled water, High/low pressure air etc. This paper will address the project from conception to installation and discuss the training needs analysis, the functional specification of the system, the quality control procedures, the integration in the training syllabus and the introduction of the system on an on-board consolidation trainer. The methodologies and techniques for the gathering the evidence of the problem and recommending the solution.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE ROLE OF EDUCATION AS PART OF TRAINING

JE Moorman and Commander MA Foster,

 Royal Navy

 

The training given to reactor supervisors follows the same systematic route as in many other training programmes. First a job analysis is undertaken, then training design and finally training execution. The difference between the required operational performance standard and the training performance standard is made up by on-job training. This training includes the known and documented actions which the supervisor is required to carry out in the event of an emergency. As a fully qualified reactor supervisor, experience is then gained by appointments as Assistant, Deputy and then Marine Engineer Officer. However, it is still possible for an experienced supervisor to be faced with an undocumented occurrence. The paper will argue that this gap must be filled by education and therefore education represents insurance against the unexpected. The results of ignoring education have been historically severe. For example, neither Chernobyl nor Three Mile Island was caused by lack of training; the inquiries showed it was lack of education which cause the unexpected to produce such severe consequences. The paper will expand on all this and attempt to identify how to quantify the benefit of education - thereby allowing the relative cost of training and education to be justified.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

TRAINING MEDIA: TOWARDS LOW-COST, HIGH GAIN TRAINING OPTIONS AND - LEARNING CURVES

Jan J.M. Roessingh and Marian J. van Blanken

National Aerospace Laboratory NLR, Human Machine Integration Department

 

Through ongoing progress in computer hardware, numerous improvements have become possible in flight simulation and air traffic control simulation. In general, low-cost training devices now provide possibilities that in the past could only be achieved on expensive and complex systems. In addition to a quality improvement in low-cost simulation, there is also a quantitative advantage. A larger number of task relevant scenario's can nowadays be supported by relatively simple and inexpensive equipment. In fact, a number of tasks can already be trained with 'state of the art' PC's, providing the opportunity to procure a larger number of this type of training devices. This paper provides a framework for the application of low-cost training devices to support training of pilots and air traffic controllers. The paper is structured as follows. Starting point is the description of trends in aviation systems, aviation tasks and skill requirements. Subsequently, those skill requirements will be used to focus on low-cost training devices suitable for individual training. The "stairway to operational readiness"-model (Dohme, 1994) provides a guideline to identify such devices. Subsequently, results from literature on skill acquisition are used to formulate hypotheses with respect to the applicability of those devices. Finally, recent experiences with the application of low-cost training devices in experimental training set-ups are described and the benefits are evaluated, both at the organizational level and the instructional level. It is concluded that there is clearly a rational and scientific basis for low-cost training devices on the stairway to operational readiness. The research shows that PC-based training devices can be used to support the initial and advanced stages of training, thereby saving costly simulator and on-the-job time. Furthermore such devices are effective briefing tools and can significantly reduce instructor briefing time.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS WITHIN CBT

Dr. Eade With

Cat and University of Zurich

Psychological Institute, Zurich

 

Erich Stauffer

Swiss Electronics Enterprise, Berne

 

Due to the increasing complexity of the systems involved, training is becoming increasingly complicated and expensive. In both the civilian and military sectors the objective in the evaluation of suitable candidates is to massively increase the chances of the candidate completing the expensive training course successfully. Beside the technical aspects the main focus is on psychological dimensions. Comprehensive time-consuming tests are necessary to guarantee objective evaluation when selecting candidates. Enormous expense is involved in the evaluation of suitable candidates, for the reasons stated. It therefore becomes obvious that suitability tests should be assisted by computers and this has already been achieved successfully in the technical disciplines involved. The use of computers in the field of psychological suitability testing is new, however. In close cooperation with psychologists the Swiss Electronics Enterprise SE has developed systems which cover precisely these areas. The candidate is checked for suitability for the proposed training or area of subsequent deployment through various different tests. Computers in the field of psychological testing are becoming increasingly important.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

OBJECTIVE BASED TRAINING, A REQUIREMENTS APPROACH

CDR Bruce J. Acton

Afloat Training Group Pacific

 

The wonders of Modeling and Simulation make it too easy for us to get caught up in today's technology push instead of concentrating on the end application. A question that all too often is not asked until after we have developed the M&S systems architecture is what are the training requirements, and how can we best meet these requirements? Articulating a clear, concise set of training requirements should be the first step in the efficient and effective use of M&S. Here-to-fore, the U.S. Navy did not have a clear training path that flowed from National level tasking, to Joint operations, to mission specific Naval operations, to individual ship/unit operations, to watch stander actions on board our ships. The Afloat Training Group Pacific has developed and prototyped a methodology which allows for the quantification of training effectiveness and for the collection and aggregation of data through clearly de-fined, force-wide training objectives and associated metrics. This approach adopted the existing school house practice of curriculum development by creating a hierarchical structure of terminal and enabling objectives tied to individual and team measures of performance. This method was also designed to facilitate automated scenario generation, to support the development of "smart" systems to objectively determine operator performance and provide recommendations for requisite remediation, and to provide a linkage between all levels of training. This methodology has been adopted Navy-wide and ship class specific objectives and measures of per-formance have already been developed for all watch stations and watch teams on board three different ship classes, and work is ongoing to migrate this methodology to the intermediate and advanced stages of training. This approach has had a major impact on the Navy's ability to clearly define M&S requirements, and it is expected to have even more of an impact in the future. This paper describes the development process and updates the reader improvements in the approach since this concept was originally briefed at the Simulation Interoperability Workshop in Orlando, FL., U.S.A., in March 1997.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

TRADAM: A CATALYST FOR TRAINING TECHNOLOGY INFUSION

John E. Hassen, Robin A. Wieckhorst

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division

 

With declining resources available to support training, organizations today are turning to advanced training delivery technologies seeking efficiencies without compromising training effectiveness. The judicious selection of appropriate training delivery technologies, will allow initial investment costs to be offset by longer term cost avoidances. Experts agree that cost avoidances can be anticipated from decreased student travel and per diem costs, reduction of shore-based schoolhouse infrastructure costs, reduction of student and instructor costs, etc., as a result of this infusion of advanced training delivery technology. The question faced by training managers is which training courses are the best candidates for infusion of new training technologies. This paper describes the Navy's Training Delivery Assessment Model (TRADAM) which is designed to assist training sponsors, training managers, course developers, and instructors in selecting the most appropriate advanced training technologies for cost effective training delivery. The TRADAM process allows a quick assessment of the potential for resource savings through the implementation of appropriate advanced training delivery technologies in a given course. TRADAM views the training delivery technology selection process as consisting of three phases: (1) selecting candidate courses that have the most potential for advanced training delivery technology application, (2) selecting the training delivery technology alternatives that match the learning requirements of each candidate course, and (3) performing an economic analysis of the selected training delivery technology alternatives. TRADAM has been used to estimate training technology infusion potential on over fifty traditional classroom training courses, with 19 of the examined courses being identified as excellent candidates for training technology infusion. Projected payback of the initial training technology investment for these 19 courses was predicted to occur in less than three years after implementation

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: INTEGRATING SPECIALIST MILITARY ADVICE WITHIN TRAINING PROCUREMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BRITISH ARMY

Dr. David Swift,

Head Quarters Adjutant General (Personnel and Training Command),

 

For nearly 30 years the British Army has employed the Systems Approach to Training (SAT) as a means of quality assuring it most important support activity. However, while the academic principles underpinning SAT remain sound, the supporting procedures and organisational infrastructure were formulated before the widespread procurement and use of synthetic training environments, and to which they are difficult to apply. The result is that many training equipments have been poorly specified. In response to this problem, Development, Projects and Research Group (DP&RG) - a unit coming under the Adjutant General's chain of command - developed guidelines for Training Needs Analysis (TNA) - the first to be articulated within the British Armed Forces. In its latest version, the TNA Guide is comprised of two parts: the first is concerned with TNA management, and the second prescribes the TNA deliverables (products") - though, in a deliberate break with past practice, not the processes by which they are achieved. While the TNA guide has been given a unanimously warm reception by the procurement community at large, identifying a formal means for ensuring its use within the procurement cycle initially proved problematic, due to the many potential alternatives. Fortunately, both the concepts informing the TNA Guide and the concerns for its wider application were in broad agreement with developments made within the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force at about the same time and, in an almost unprecedented outbreak of rationality, the matter has been able to be explored within a context of tri-Service cooperation,. As one part of the tri-Service response to this problem, DP&RG has developed training support documentation for projects subject to Integrated Logistic Support. This paper describes the rationale informing the TNA Guide and the experiences of applying it.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

ISSUES IN EMBEDDED TRAINING SYSTEMS

James N. Ortiz, Ph.D, Freeman A. Kilpatrick Jr., Ph.D

U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

 

One of the key challenges traditionally faced by developers of training systems is determining the appropriate level of fidelity necessary for the stated training objectives to be accomplished. The level of fidelity determines how closely the training function represents the real world system. The level of fidelity drives the development, procurement, and to some extent the sustaining engineering costs of the training system. Typically, due to the high costs involved, the level of fidelity is set to the minimum level required to meet the training objectives, and more often than not, the level of fidelity is driven even lower due to increased cost pressures or technical challenges encountered during development, with subsequent negative effects on the training outcome. There are three basic implementations of the training functionality for a real world system: the training function can be either separate from the system, collocated with the system, or embedded in the system. In this paper we advocate the embedded implementation, due to its inherit ability to provide high fidelity training at a much reduced cost. Embedded training, in which the training functionality is intimately tied to the real world system, has access to all the data, controls, and displays of the real world system. Embedded Training (ET) virtually eliminates fidelity issues because it provides essentially 100% fidelity. Because there is no difference between the training system and the real world system, no transitional training or on-the-job training (OJT) is required. The use of ET also makes fidelity costs less important because full fidelity is automatically available. However, there are a number of issues to be resolved before ET can become widely implemented. These issues include classifying the types of real world systems that are more suitable for supporting an embedded training functionality, formulating the integration requirements for these systems, formulating a systems engineering architecture that would support embedded training, and recommending pedagogical strategies for the use of ET. This paper provides a starting point for addressing these issues, and describes preliminary research being conducted to support the development of embedded training capabilities for satellite ground control systems.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers 

AUTOMATED TOOLS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Dr Michael Reakes

 Westland System Assessment Ltd

 

Mr Gerry Costello

 Applied Courseware Technology Inc

 

Software tools are now available to guide instructional developers through the Systems Approach to Training (SAT) - i.e. to Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate multi-media training materials. This paper provides a review of a new entry in the marketplace, Multi-media Integrator. The extent to which the tool is useful to novice instructional designers following the SAT process is examined. The paper also examines the degree to which the tool can help improve the efficiency of experienced instructional designers, and help produce traceable, and instructionally sound training solutions.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

DECISIONS, DECISIONS - TRAINING OPTIONS ANALYSIS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS

Major Chris Levis-Cooper AGC(ETS)

Development, Project and Research Group, UK

 

The British Army currently runs in excess of 2,000 courses in order to train its soldiers for 209 different occupations. To add to the complexities of the training task, we estimate that 12% of Army training needs to be re-designed each year to keep up with ever more sophisticated equipment and battlefield doctrine. With a new generation of soldiers to train every four to five years, this arguably makes the Army the second largest single provider of training in the United Kingdom, after the health service. Instructor-led training is excepted to remain the most cost-effective solution for the majority of Army training tasks for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, the falling cost and rising capability of technology-based training make such strategies an increasingly attractive option for delivering cost-efficient training, tackling the peacetime soldier's bane of skills fade and delivering fast, effective training at the point of need. Making increasingly complex choices about using training technology places great strain on the expertise of training unit instructional designers who are often themselves soldiers, trained in a matter of days and posted to the job for two to three years. The problem of supporting strategic decision-making is being addressed in two ways. Firstly, training needs analysis is now procured concurrently for all new major equipment's. While this displaces much of the problem to the civilian sector, it has actually increased demand for highly skilled, and therefore scarce, quality assurance personnel. Secondly, for all other training requirements, job aids for options analysis at the pre-feasibility stage are being introduced to help the unit-level instructional designer to justify complex, technology-based training options where these are appropriate. This paper focuses on methods of supporting training options analysis for instructional designers. Decision support tools currently in use with the Army are covered, as are organisational and procedural strategies to encourage the appropriate application of technology-based training. Areas of automation providing the best prospect of contributing to this strategy in future are discussed.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE ROYAL NAVY'S SYSTEMS APPROACH TO TRAINING "BACK TO BASICS?"

Commander John Rees, Lieutenant Commander Keith Talbot

RNSETT

 

In the 1970s the Royal Navy, like many other military organisations, sought a more ordered and structured approach to the regimen of training. They adopted a systems approach to training (RN SAT), based very much on Mellor's early work in training systems - a "soft" training technology approach. It placed a premium on the objective analysis of the task to be performed and on the importance of appropriate and timely external feedback both to inform the analysis and design process and also to help in the evaluation and validation of the training provided. The RN SAT has already proved to be adaptable. In the 1980s it was instrumental in ordering the transfer of considerable amounts of training to sea. Without the RN SAT, such a transfer would have been incoherent and, ultimately, operational capability would have been degraded. In the 1990s new challenges emerged. New relationships with the private sector once more focused attention on Quality issues. The challenges of Total Quality Management and the measurement of quality using the ISO 9000 series had to be integrated with the RNSAT if it was to remain relevant and continue to support the Royal Navy Training System. The aim of this paper is to discuss how the RN SAT has met the major challenges that have impacted upon it in the 1990s. In terms of its utility, it has had to be flexible and relevant to incorporate quality management issues as espoused by the ISO 9000 series.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

IF TRAINING AUDIT IS SO IMPORTANT, WHY IS IT SO SELDOM DONE?

John E. McAlwane and Sarah White

Westland System Assessment Limited

Training Analysis and Design Group

 

The Training Audit is a very efficient way of ensuring quality, cost- and training-effectiveness for the training an organisation procures or conducts. Although this is widely recognised, training audits are seldom carried out and, if they are, tend to be restricted to an examination of the results of the training, rather than taking a global view of the requirement. One reason for this may be that the process is often seen by owners of the task, or of the human resources, to be somewhat mysterious; something that, if it is to be done at all, should be left to the training department. Whilst there is nothing new about the concept of a training audit: checking that objectives are valid; that they are adequately met by the training provided; and that the training is procured or conducted systematically; the transition from theory to practice is proving to be slow, and is often implemented spasmodically. The major aims of this paper are to: de-mystify the process; and to describe a means of providing visibility of the whole training cycle, indicating where opportunities for training audit occur and how that may be done. We take a pragmatic view of the training audit process; outlining the benefits that can accrue from its adoption and discussing the principles involved, before describing how the practice may be implemented in any size of organisation. The discussion emphasises the need to develop the training audit as a continuous process at three levels: the corporate, or organisational, level; the functional, or departmental, level; and at the level of the individual; and describes how that might be achieved.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

 

TQL + TQM IN THE LAND FORCES

Colonel GS Fritz Zurbuchen, Chief of Quality Management

Land Forces, Swiss Armed Forces

 

Mr. Beat Escher, MBA

Escher Management Consulting Ltd.,

Partner of ODI (Switzerland) Ltd.

 

Throughout history, the world has seen and learned that nothing takes the place of good leaders. Today, as modern technologies, procedures and methods are integrated into armed forces, military leaders are being asked to take more responsibility for their decisions. At the same time, their financial resources, personnel, training time and space are being reduced. How do they meet the challenges? By instilling the principles of Total Quality (TQ) in every soldier in the armed forces. TQ applies to every area of leadership from people to function, and guarantees, if successfully learned and applied, that the Land Force will operate more efficiently and accurately. This paper will address how quality improvements in the Swiss Land Forces can and is being achieved through applying the TQ Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This generic model is tailored to the various customer needs (e.g. education, administration, services). Commanding officers, superiors and their staffs have their effect at two levels: · TQL (Total Quality Leadership) - Means 'Leadership to Total Quality' - TQL continually improves all levels and aspects of leadership (including the environment) that are aimed at high product quality, and customer and partner satisfaction. · TQM (Total Quality Management) - Total Quality is what clients demand (products and processes) - TQM systematically and continually improves all functional processes of the Land Forces, aims to satisfy customers and reduces mistakes. These improvements benefit the Land Forces' customers, employees and suppliers.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

INSTRUMENTED FORCE-ON-FORCE BATTLE TRAINING IN SWEDEN:

LESSONS LEARNED DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS

Magnus Morin

Visuell Systemteknik i Linköping AB,

 

Arne Worm, Department of Operations;

 

Johan Jenvald, Department of Military Technology

National Defence College

 

Mirko Thorstensson, National Defence Research Establishment

 

In an army based on conscription the time for training is limited and, therefore, efficient training methods are of great importance. There is also a great need to find objective means of ensuring that the units are capable of carrying out their tasks. This insight led to the decision by the Swedish Army in 1992 to conduct a series of experimental instrumented force-on-force battle training exercises. The encouraging outcome of these experiments resulted in the establishment of an experimental battle training centre for the development of techniques and methods for training and evaluation of mechanised units. In this paper, we present an overview of the activities related to instrumented force-on-force battle training in the Swedish Army today and share some of the lessons learned on the way. In particular, we describe the different phases of a typical battle training exercise, including the preparation performed by the training unit and the training centre staff before the exercise, the arrangements made on the training site before the exercise, the execution of the exercise, the training command and supervision during the exercise, the compilation and examination of data collected during the exercise, and the after-action review. We also show how the information collected during a single exercise, or a series of exercises, can be used in technical or tactical analyses to identify potential problems with a particular piece of equipment or a specific operating procedure. In addition to evaluating each battle training exercise by means of an after-action review, it is equally important to systematically evaluate the techniques and methods used to support training. To this end we have devised a number of methods and tools which we report on in the paper.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

KIBOWI 3.1: READY FOR COMBAT IN THE NEXT CENTURY

Gerlof Bril, Steven Blackstone, Joost Hamers

TNO Physics and Electronics Laboratory

 

TNO is developing a new Command and Staff Trainer for the Royal Netherlands Army based up on a proven concept: the experiences with the demonstrator version (version 2), which is currently in use for all computer assisted Command Post Exercises at battalion, brigade level and even division level. KIBOWI 3.1 is fully operational in the second quarter of 1998. TNO and MOD-NL have a large experience in computer assisted training and education at the Infantry School, Army Staff College, and in Command Post Exercises. Unlike the traditional command and staff trainers KIBOWI 3.1 can also be used in a number of Crisis Management Scenario's (Peace Enforcing, Low Intensity Conflicts) because it allows four different parties, whose attitude towards each other may change during an exercise (friendly, neutral or hostile); it takes into account the modified Rules of Engagement (fire control, air defence, air space management); transport of units and materiel by ground or in the air (helicopter, aircraft); maritime operations; logistics operations in different modes; movement along roads or through the terrain; easy database preparation; after action review possibilities. A command and staff trainer is not just a piece of software running on a piece of hardware. ORGware and USEware are also very important. If you do not know how to use such a system, you will not benefit from computer based training at all. Some ideas on training and education in The Netherlands in the next century are presented in this paper (using techniques like High Level Architecture (HLA) and based upon the experiences with the US Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol), as well as the lessons learned in the Netherlands in Command and Staff Training.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

HMD BASED TRAINING SIMULATOR FOR FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS

Frido Kuijper and Hans Jense

TNO Physics and Electronics Laboratory

 

While the potential of Head Mounted Display (HMD) based Virtual Environments (VE) for training simulation has been recognized right from the start of the emergence of this technology, to date the authors have no knowledge of operational military training devices based upon immersive VE. The application of VE technology to the training of Forward Air Controllers is likely to be one of the first cases that will change this. Initiated by a demand for more effective training tools at the Netherlands Integrated Air Ground Operations School (NIAGOS), the use of VE technology for training Forward Air Controllers was made subject of study at TNO-FEL. In close co-operation with the Royal Netherlands Army a study was carried out to determine whether an HMD based training simulator would be a feasible and valid solution to improve training effectiveness. The Forward Air Controller (FAC) is an army soldier who plays an important role in Close Air Support (CAS) operations. His task is to guide the pilots in their operation such that they engage the correct enemy targets, without endangering friendly forces. The Forward Air Controller takes position in the very front line of the battlefield - keeping an eye on both enemy and friendly forces while observing the flight maneuvers of the CAS aircraft. The FAC maintains a radio connection with the CAS pilot to brief the pilot such that the mission can be accomplished both safely and successfully. Current FAC training practice is that trainees are first taken through a short but intensive theoretical course, after which they are directly exposed to live exercises with real aircraft. Due to a lack of experience, the first training runs are usually unsuccessful, making the valuable flight time ineffective. It is assumed that a FAC training simulator can fill the gap between theory and live training exercises. This paper reports on a project in which the above mentioned assumption was tested. A prototype FAC training simulator was built and evaluated. The principal components of the prototype consist of a HMD based simulator for the FAC, a simple flight simulator for the CAS aircraft and a DIS network connection between the two. The system was evaluated by FAC instructors from the Netherlands Integrated Air Ground Operations School and was used for this purpose in a series of three training courses. The outcome of the evaluation indicates that the assumption is true and has instigated further effort to develop an operational simulator. The paper describes the prototype FAC training simulator and the key technological issues involved, and reports upon the evaluation results.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

THE SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT OF THE DLR INSTITUTE OF FLIGHT GUIDANCE FOR TESTING FUTURE AIRCRAFT AND ATM SYSTEMS

Dietrich Haertl

Institute of Flight Guidance

 

During the past 30 years the DLR Institute of Flight Guidance has developed, built, and employed a growing simulation environment to evaluate new ATM concepts, ATC systems on the ground, and the corresponding aircraft systems. This presentation gives an overview about the simulation components which are currently established. Thereafter, the implementation and application of an European ATM research project within this simulation environment is described. The last part deals with the requirements resulting from the increasing communication and co-operation between aircraft and on the ground systems which leads to a continuous increase in linking and connecting the simulation components with each other and to external simulation facilities by simulation networks.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

UPGRADING CIVIL PROTECTION SYSTEMS: THE IMPACT OF NEW TECHNIQUES ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING

Agostino G. Bruzzone

McLeod Institute for Simulation Science

 

Elisa Manetti,

Blue Sky Technology

 

This paper presents the general architecture of a new emergency management system. This project involves several innovative aspects, such as: automatic exploitation of the results by HTML web pages using a Java-based environment, direct integration with an SQL Dbase and simulation of complex phenomena such as flooding, industrial plant accidents, etc.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

USMC SMALL UNIT NON-LETHALS TRAINER (SULNT)

Denise Varner, Ph.D., Staff Scientist; Scott D. Royse, Manager; John Micheletti; Senior Research Analyst; Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

 

Major Gene Apicella;

CMC Warfighting Lab

 

As a highly mobile, expeditionary fighting force, the United States Marine Corps excels in applying a variety of weapons in highly dynamic combined-arms environments involving land-, sea- and air-based assets. In recent years the Corps has also assumed the additional mission of Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) and must therefore develop and master new techniques of force projection. To this end, Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) are being issued non-lethal munitions for small arms and are receiving training in their use. The Commandant's Warfighting Laboratory (CWL) has funded research into ways to ensure that Marines are properly instructed and prepared to use these munitions in support of peacekeeping and other MOOTW. A prototype Small Unit Leader Non-Lethals Trainer (SULNT) has been developed that models a peacekeeping mission in a generic urban environment. The SULNT is a constructive simulation that provides a training environment for the situational assessment and decision making skills that must be used by the squad leader in order to successfully manage a variety of peacekeeping and MOOTW scenarios. The SULNT allows a squad leader to simulate establishing a checkpoint position within the context of a specific situation background and within established rules of engagement. The trainee has a 3rd ground level view of the urban environment for reconnoitring and a 2D overhead plan view displaying crowds, marine units, and checkpoint defensive emplacements. Once the trainee's checkpoint position has been established the simulated exercise begins. During an exercise, a crowd behaviour model operates in real-time and responds to trainee actions (and inaction) with appropriate behaviours such as loitering, celebrating, demonstrating, rioting and dispersing. Multiple crowds and groups, from 2 to 500 members, can be generated by an instructor prior to an exercise. The trainee is given visual cues through the computer display regarding crowd actions, and verbal reports of their activities generated by a speech synthesis engine. The squad leader must evaluate the developing situation and make decisions involving issuing verbal instructions to the crowd and employing various types of lethal and non-lethal munitions. The exercise continues with the crowd responding to the squad unit leader's actions until the situation is resolved either successfully or unsuccessfully as defined by the mission and rules of engagement. During an exercise, all of the trainee and simulated crowd actions are logged to support an after-action review (AAR) process. In this paper we describe the design, development, evaluation, and initial testing of the trainer, as well as discuss preliminary results from a 1997 field experiment in which USMC Subject Matter Experts and Fleet Marines evaluated the trainer.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

USE OF FORCE TRAINING FOR MILITARY AND CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT

Jeffrey D. Horey, Program Manager

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division

 

James R. Cassells

Toronto Police Department

 

Lt. Michael Grossman

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Whittier, CA 4

 

The increasing complexity of worldwide crime, the risk and impact of international terrorism, and the attention of the media and courts to recent threat encounters have highlighted the diverse missions of military and civilian law enforcement personnel. Methods for improving the effectiveness of use of force training are receiving increased attention and computer simulations are rapidly becoming the recommended technology for training these skills. This paper presents an overview of current and emerging use of force training methods including a detailed description of computer based simulation. Guidance related to evaluating the capabilities of computer based systems is also presented. Finally, in an effort to encourage agency cooperation and partnering, a project by the United States Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division to transfer technology developed by the Department of Defense to the law enforcement community is described.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

CBT FOR SIMULATION OF TRIAGE, EMERGENCY TREATMENT AND STABILIZATION FOR TRANSPORT OF WOUNDED

Doris Hagena

Competence Center Informatik GmbH

 

Dr. Gesine Krueger-Beutler, Lieutenant Colonel MC

Bundesministerium der Verteidigung - InSan II 4

 

The development of a computer based training program for medical officers to simulate triage, emergency treatment and stabilization for transport of wounded under mass casualty and combat conditions has been completed in 1997. In this paper the CCI will at first give you a general idea of the further development of the CBT TRIAGE, used within the Dutch army since 1992. After that a official in charge of the Office of the Chief of the Medical Services German Armed Forces at the Federal Ministry of Defense will demonstrate the actual learning possibilities for the students, the benefits in the training program and the limitations of the simulation program.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

EVALUATION OF SYSTEM CONFIGURATION FOR ON-LINE TELECONSULTATION ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Andrea J.S. Hin

TNO Human Factors Research Institute

 

Teleconsultation is a means to support medical treatment on a remote location with the knowledge and experience available elsewhere. Four camera configurations for an on-line teleconsultation system have been developed, intended for use during triage treatments on the battlefield and open surgery in field hospitals. Each configuration has a detail camera and overview camera. The configurations are: both cameras fixed at the operating-lamp (1), the detail camera operated by a dedicated camera man and the overview camera carries by the surgeon above the shoulder (2), both cameras mounted above the surgeons shoulders (3), and the detail camera positioned at the surgeon chest and the overview camera above his shoulder (4). Ergonomical aspects of the configurations have been evaluated, and the communication between the acting surgeon and a remote specialist is studied. Experiments with the configurations were performed during ten treatments including drainage of the lower part of the thoracic cavity, phlebotomy, tracheostomy, inguinal hernia repair and hemicolectomy. A camera configuration which is carried by the acting surgeon (2, 3 and 4) has advantages above a system fixed to the operating-lamp (1). A leading role in the conversation for the surgeon is important for efficient communication.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

COMPUTER BASED TRAINING FOR DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE AND MANAGEMENT

Martijn Boosman,

Maassen Consulting, Cuijk

 

Bram Monnier

Trimension, Delft; The Netherlands

 

Cooperating authors:

Dr. Wim van der Heyden, MD, surgeon [Triage program]

Oscar Tiemens, M.Sc.; Director/Programmer; TSE Delft [DELITE & Triage Program]

 

Three interactive training programs are discussed. The training for Medical Commander is a management training to fill the gap between theoretical training and real-life practice. Using audio and video fragments, the user is offered a semi-realistic training environment. The user is confronted with radio, phone and fax messages and face-to-face information from colleagues about an ongoing disaster. By typing in keywords the user can communicate and take decisions. User studies and a strong emphasis on the educational goals have resulted in a case-based training system as opposed to a much more expensive simulation based system. The program is developed using the MITS Software (Modular Interactive Training Software) which enables development of multiple stories by the current user (the Dutch Institute for Fire Fighting and Disaster Management) or by international training institutes and governments. The DELITE training (Disaster and Emergency Logistical Training Environment) is a simulation training of the logistical aspects of a disaster. A group of users train together to learn various aspects of transportation, man and material needs in a multi-casualty situation. Users sit behind their own computer linked together in a network. Users communicate with normal means of communication (radio and telephone) to solve the unfolding disaster on the network. The DELITE training is customized for every region and is currently used in various regions of the Netherlands. It can be easily adapted to other (international) regional protocols. The Triage Training is a program aimed at the assessment and labeling of patients in a multi-casualty situation. A user is confronted with a randomized set of patients. He or she has to assess the patients according to international protocols and indicate the correct trauma scores. The user also has to select correct life saving treatments. The patients are simulated by a combination of medical illustrations and audio for heart rate, breathing sounds and answers given by the victim. The patient simulator in the system enables the development of similar systems for other users like police-personnel and fire fighters who have their own evaluation protocol and prioritization.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

A 3rd SIMULATION OF THE MASTICATION SYSTEM

T. Weingärtner

Institute for Process Control & Robotics

University of Karlsruhe, Department for Computer Science

 

The need for simulation in medicine and especially in surgery increases with the complexity and risks of the operations. Not only for the pre-operative planning but also for the education of surgeons a graphical and functional simulation of the anatomical structures has to be provided. One example for such a structure is the human jaw. Today, a lot of operations like repositioning of the mandible and maxilla or tumor resections have to be performed in the jaw region. The surgeon is not able to observe the movement of the mandible or the muscles since they are covered by the skin. Therefore he has to rely on his experience by planning an operation. Here a simulation can help to estimate the results of a procedure, it facilitates the diagnosis by a better view on the anatomy and pathology of the patient and it improves the education of surgeons. The main focus of this paper is the description of our simulation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). We will introduce our kinematic model, which is the foundation for our simulation as it describes the movement of the jaw. This motion is characterized by a very complex sliding and gliding of a closed kinematic chain. Due to the tight coupling of the muscles to the jaw movements and their importance for the operation planning, our simulation includes a functional and a graphical model of the mastication muscles as well. It integrates biomechanical models which describe force-length or force-velocity relations. This combination of rigid and non-rigid tissue shows the effects of operations on the musculoskeletal system. Finally the paper will present the static and dynamic experiments we performed, e.g. the evaluation by kinesiographic records of the chewing movement.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

A VIRTUAL REALITY AND FORCE FEEDBACK BASED ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY SIMULATOR

Dr. Charles Baur, Francois Conti, Didier Guzzoni, Olivier Georg

VRAI Group, IMT / DMT

EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

 

This paper describes the VIRGY project at the VRAI Group (Virtual Reality and Active Interface), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Lausanne, Swit-zerland). Since 1994, we have been investigating a variety of virtual-reality based methods for simulating laparoscopic surgery procedures. Our goal is to develop an endoscopic surgical training tool which realistically simulates the interactions between one or more surgical instruments and gastrointestinal organs. To support real-time interaction and manipulation between instruments and organs, we have developed several novel graphic simulation techniques. In particular, we are using live video texturing to achieve dynamic effects such as bleeding or vaporization of fatty tissues. Special texture manipulations allows us to generate pulsing objects while minimizing processor load. Additionally, we have created a new surface deformation algorithm which enables real-time deformations under external constraints. Lastly, we have developed a new 3rd object definition which allows us to perform operations such as total or partial object cuttings, as well as to selectively render objects with different levels of detail. To provide realistic physical simulation of the forces and torques on surgical instruments encountered during an operation, we have also designed a new haptic device dedicated to endososcopic surgery constraints. We are using special interpolation and extrapolation techniques to integrate our 25 Hz visual simulation with the 300 Hz feedback required for realistic tactile interaction. The fully VIRGY simulator has been tested by surgeons and the quality of both our visual and haptic simulation has been judged sufficient for training basic surgery gestures.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

DESIGN ISSUES IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR SURGICAL TRAINING

M Kelly & S Cotter

Centre for Human Sciences, DERA

 

The DERA Centre for Human Sciences is developing a training system for Minimal Access Surgery (MAS). This consists of a novel hardware platform which includes a deformable data base, viewable in 3-D, which can be interacted with via simulated MAS surgery tools (having simulated low force feedback). The limitations affecting system acceptability in technology, human factors, system design aims etc., are discussed. A pilot trial to evaluate the contribution of force feedback to training effectiveness in a Virtual MAS training systems is presented.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

INTELLIGENT TUTORING SYSTEMS FOR MEDICAL TRAINING

John Leddo, Ph.D.

Research Development Corporation

 

Virtual reality environments are proliferating for medical training and practice applications. Research Development Corporation has been conducting research to integrate virtual learning environments with intelligent tutoring system technology. The intent is to build teaching mechanisms directly into the virtual world so that the environment can provide more than just practice, but perform active teaching functions such as assessing the user's strengths and weaknesses, adapt problem features and level of difficulty to make teaching points and match user's level of proficiency, and correct user mistakes. In general, virtual environments we have surveyed lack these capabilities and rely largely on either the user's ability to infer her own mistakes from scenario outcomes and how to correct them or an instructor to point out mistakes and provide instructive feedback.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

APPLICATIONS OF TRAINING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO AIRCREW AND BIO-MEDICAL TRAINING

Dr. H. Barbara Sorensen

Us Air Force Research Laboratory

 

Dr. Bettina A. Babbitt

Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

Traditionally, the training development process is time consuming, labor intensive, costly, and requires extensive instructional design expertise. Several technological advances have been made by the U. S. military and aerospace industries during the last four decades in their ability to build highly complex weapon systems supported by training systems. The emergence of proven advanced computer technologies allowed for training analysis tools to be designed and automated. The advent of system analytic methods necessitated the creation of training analysis tools which incorporated multiple models with integrated data bases. It is now apparent that no one technical discipline will be able to provide the foundation for these new automated tools. Therefore, new disciplines were incorporated into the design of these emerging decision support systems. Instructional Systems Development (ISD) Decision Support Systems (DSS) were implemented successfully for use by the military and aerospace for front-end analysis of training requirements. Two current and compatible Decision Support Systems that integrate new models and explore new disciplines are described for their ability to analyze training tasks by using several state-of-the-art features. The adaptation of the DSS to analyze training tasks for aircrew training and biomedical training are discussed.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

ADVANCES IN AIRBORNE RADAR SIMULATION

Dr. George L. Bair

Camber Corporation, Simulation Systems Division

 

Airborne Radar Simulation, in the present context, is the real-time generation of radar displays and other radar outputs, such as data exchanges with the flight computer or other avionics subsystems, consistent with the actual radar and in response to the interaction with the operator, ownship, targets, and the environment. The primary application is flight simulators for man-in-the-loop training of pilots and radar operators. The focus of this paper is Air-To-Ground radar modes and thus the Digital Radar Landmass Simulator (DRLMS). It provides a brief overview of the evolution of radar simulators from the acoustic systems of the early 1950's to those based upon the general-purpose workstations of the 1990's. This is followed by a discussion of state-of-the-art radar simulator hardware and software architectures. The paper concludes with a discussion of some recent radar advances that challenge the radar simulator de-signer, including Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) modes, and the Electronically Steerable Array (ESA). These challenges are being met with innovative databases and signal processing algorithms that are described in the paper.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

OPTIMISATION OF THE EXECUTION TIME IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM IMPLEMENTING A FULL FLIGHT SIMULATOR

Dr. Sc. Felicia Ionescu, Dipl. Eng. Cristian Gheorghiu,

Dipl. Eng. Cristian Englert, Dipl. Eng.

Eugen Popa, Dipl. Eng. Iulia Suciu

Simultec S.A.

 

The paper presents an optimisation approach of the execution time in a distributed system implementing a full flight simulator for Mig-21 Lancer airplane, which is under the development in our institute. The whole application work is primarily partitioned into a number of basic simulation tasks which are assigned to different nodes of the network and communicate and synchronise with each other to achieve a common result. The representation (modeling) of the system is based on a real-time tasks structure with accuracy and flexible specification of the time behaviour of the modeled subsystems. The task structure has a concrete syntax structure and execution semantics with time-triggering and communications services definition. The optimisation framework of the execution time in the distributed system implementing Mig-21 Lancer full flight simulator consists in a number of sub-frameworks, such that: tasks intrinsic execution time optimisation, tasks assignment to nodes for load-balancing of the work, message-passing system optimisation, fault tolerance and crash recovery.

 

SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR RECONFIGURABLE SIMULATORS

Wim Huiskamp and Robert-Jan Elias

TNO Physics and Electronics Laboratory

 

In order to support research, development and engineering activities in the area of distributed simulation for training and command & control, TNO Physics and Electronics Laboratory (TNO-FEL) has created an Electronic Battlespace Facility (EBF). The EBF is an in-house facility consisting of manned simulators, computer generated forces, scenario management tools and audio-visual presentation means. The EBF demand for low-cost, rapid prototyping of simulators required a generic, reconfigurable software architecture. TNO-FEL met this requirement by developing the Platform Framework (PLF). This paper discusses the design of the PLF and its individual components. The PLF is a soft-ware layer on top of the Advanced Simulation Framework (ASF) that provides DIS and HLA interoperability between distributed simulation applications. The ASF was presented at ITEC '97. We distinguish four major components in the PLF: subsystems (e.g. sensors and weapons), personnel (human or artificial operators), environment (e.g. terrain geometry) and presentation modules (visuals and audio). The object-oriented design enhances software reusability by standardising the interface between the PLF components. Simulators based on the PLF are tailored to user requirements by specialisation of generic components. A wide range of simulator prototypes have already been successfully developed using the PLF: e.g. Leopard2 tank, Fennek reconnaissance unit, F16 fighter and Forward Air Controller. This paper will discuss the PLF architecture and conclusions will be presented based on hands-on experience with the implementation.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

AN INSTRUCTIONAL AID SYSTEM FOR DRIVING SCHOOLS BASED ON VISUAL SIMULATION

Salvador Bayarri, Rafael Garcia, Pedro Valero, Ignacio Pareja,

Institute of Traffic and Road Safety (INTRAS),

 

Marcos Fernandez and Inmaculada Coma

Institute of Robotics, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

 

The recent development of lower cost 3D graphics systems has led to a rising interest in the use of visual simulation techniques for driver education, training and evaluation. So far, the most common approach has been to develop an active driving environment, in which the student, trainee or tested subject is able to drive him/herself through a set of driving situations. These 'driving simulators' may be useful to introduce or check practical driving skills. However, they have some limitations, especially when they are seen from the point of view of small driving schools and other possible applications like traffic education in primary or secondary schools. The major problem with driving simulators is related to their cost, still too high for most schools. A second question that still needs some answers refers to the validity and utility of the knowledge acquired by using these simulators and its relation to the skills required in a real driving task. A different approach to the use of visual simulation in driving education contexts, that does not exclude the former one, is described in this paper. SIVAS ('system for driver education based on visual simulation') is a set of computer programs that allow the designers to create the three-dimensional scenery and dynamics of typical driving situations, and the driving school teacher to use these situations as a flexible, interactive and powerful tool for teaching. The system extends the features of existing audiovisual teaching materials such as videotapes, slides and multimedia programs. The teacher's program uses inexpensive equipment; a personal computer and a television screen.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

A TRAINING SYSTEM FOR CRANE AND MATERIAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM OPERATION IN BUILDING AREAS

Joaquín Casillas, Marcos Fernández ,Miguel Lozano ,Manolo Pérez.

ARTEC Group. Institute of Robotics, University of Valencia.

 

In the last few years the field of use of the graphic simulation techniques in the training process has been extended mainly due to the cost-reduction of the needed equipment. This paper presents a project aiming at developing and updating simulation technologies to represent building areas. The use of the system will allow the training and learning of building workers and since this sector has one of the highest index of industrial injuries, the system will contribute to increase the safety in the development of this work and the performance of workers in the development of their tasks. The system is in tune with the new European guidelines in relation to labour safety matters. The R+D works will be placed in two main fields: 3D real-time graphics including both the development of physical interface with the user and display system. The other field of research will be the dynamic simulation of the cranes. Concerning aspects of 3D graphics, the research will be oriented towards the improvement of modeling techniques based on texture mapping in order to increase the final realism of the environment. The display system will be evaluated in order to determine an optimal appearance with the lowest possible cost. In order to tackle the problem of the dynamic simulation we will take as a base previous works oriented to this matter although it will need a reformulation and simplification so that it will be able to run in real time. The technological development will be carried out jointly with pedagogical studies oriented to clarify the degree of improvement in the training process provided by the inclusion of these new technologies. In this way the task of the associated enterprise will be critical to ensure the success of the project, CED has experience in labour training and they are pioneers in the use of new technologies in this field.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

HIGH FIDELITY AND RECONFIGURABLE FIXED AND ROTARY WING FLIGHT SIMULATOR

Stéphane Roying, Simulation Engineer

Virtual Prototypes Inc

 

The advent of standardization in the computer industry, the more prevalent use of open architectures, and radical drops in platform prices are causing a shift in traditional training device procurement strategies. Pressure from end-users for more cost-effective training devices has resulted in regulatory bodies sanctioning lower-cost, part-task training devices such as FTDs. The trend will continue, and in the future high fidelity, but easily reconfigurable rotary wing flight models might well become the norm, to enable a more effective use of resources and reduce the dependency on the traditional simulator manufacturers. The challenge of the training community is to make the simulators keep pace with the continuous evolution of the military and civil helicopters, while maintaining the same level of fidelity. Also, the simulators will have to be able to benefit from the newest technologies and be adaptable to the new requirements of the trainers, pilots and regulators. To meet those requirements Virtual Prototypes Inc. (VPI) proposes a new approach to the way helicopter flight simulators are built, by offering a software tool to build any type or level of rotary wing simulator. When HELISIM is combined with other Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software components, it can address the low cost, reconfigurability and high fidelity requirements of today's training systems.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

WEAPON SYSTEM TRAINER INTEGRATED IN A D.I.S. ENVIRONMENT

Giovanni Runci, Mauro Peccini, Antonio Veredice

Elettronica S.p.A.

 

In the future battlefield the one who shoots first will most likely be the winner. Weapons with kill rates ranging from 85% to 95% will become common in the next decade. Each opportunity to detect the enemy while not being detected could be the difference between kill and being killed. Active and passive sensors (both electro-magnetic and infra-red) are used to oppose the enemy threats and active and passive Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) are used to oppose the enemy's radar; in general all the aircraft weapon systems are used to neutralise the enemy forces. An avionics system using this approach places all interpretation, integration and control function in the cockpit and consequently the pilot's workload is great. If follows that is fundamental to give to the pilots the means that permit an integrated training with the simulation of all the on-board weapon systems. At this purpose, it is necessary to provide the training systems with all the functions that permit sensors management, the fusion of all the data coming from the different sensors, the ECM activation and the Weapon System control. To increase the capability to win a battle it is necessary to allow the pilot to train in a Distributed Interactive Simulation environment: a combined mission simulation is in fact fundamental. In this way a realistic simulation of battlefield interactions, integrated in a Full Mission Simulator and linked in a DIS environment (so taking into account the Warfare Scenario, the Aircraft capability, the Weapon systems, the pilots' decisions and so on) is obtained. The purpose of this article is to propose an architecture of a Weapon System Trainer simulating the functions of the equipment installed into a modern Aircraft. In particular the article will consist in a first section where the sensors data fusion concept is pointed out and as consequence the advantages for the pilots to understand in depth and exploit the synergism among different electro-magnetic and optical equipment's through the use of a Weapon System Trainer. The second session will consist in the presentation of a Full Mission Simulator where the Weapon System Trainer is integral part and the functions performed by each component of the system will be identified. Finally, in a third session a DIS architecture will be proposed to connect more FMS's; in particular a detailed analysis of the problems relative to the DIS will be carried out and possible solutions will be proposed taking into account the present state of the art

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

A SCALEABLE DIS/HLA AND CROSS-FOM INTEROPERABILITY APPROACH FOR SIMULATION & MODELING APPLICATIONS

Mark Biddle, Eric Anscheutz

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division

 

The state of the art in U.S. simulation and modeling technology is in the process of transitioning from standards set up under the title of Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) to the High Level Architecture (HLA) framework that was promulgated to the M&S community through the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO). NAWCTSD (Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division) has been engaged in a Scaleable DIS/HLA project to investigate the issues of transitioning from DIS to HLA and facilitating interoperability among heterogeneous HLA implementations. The result of this project has been the development of a set of Simulation Middleware Object Classes (SMOC) which allows for seamless interoperability between DIS and HLA applications, as well as new or customized protocols and frameworks. The SMOC is a set of object oriented software classes which can be configured to perform a variety of simulation protocol interfacing and translation functions. These functions include scaling the simulation interface to take advantage of additionally available hardware and interfacing applications through a stand alone gateway application or through an embedded middleware solution. Figure 1.0-1 shows a conceptual view of how the SMOC can be used It should be noted that the SMOC middleware solution and the SMOC gateway solution utilize the same exact source code. Also, it should be noted that, even though figure 1.0-1 shows seamless compatibility with the JSIMS (Joint Simulation System) FOM (Federation Object Model), this functionality has not been demonstrated since the JSIMS project has not specified a FOM as of this writing. The remainder of this paper will deal with the SMOC design and functionality, and how it can be used with legacy applications as well as new designs.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

ONDE: A NUMERIC TOOL FOR SIMULATION OF GROUND BATTLEFIELD USING INFRARED SENSOR VISION

Jean Latger

Oktal Company

 

Jean François Talaron

DGA/DCE/ETC4/ETBS

 

Both industrials and French government services are inclined to using realistic sensor simulation models in the definition and the qualification of the weapon systems. In the field of sensor simulation, an important domain is the infrared spectrum. ONDE is precisely a simulation tool for the modeling of the battlefield « seen » by an infrared sensor. ONDE has been intensively used since the beginning of 97 for furtivity studies of ground vehicles and for characterization works of pyrotechnic counter measures. ONDE is based on a generic kernel consisting of efficient ray tracing functionalities. This tool possesses original capabilities : computation time is nearly independent on the scene complexity and the number of polygons, databases are enhanced by precise physical and thermal data, the ray casting is linked off line with specific software simulating meteorological and environment effects (LOWTRAN, EOSAEL), special mechanisms of antialiasing have been developed that enable to take into account very accurate details in the field of view, a generalization of texture definition allows to simulate directional dependence of the emissivity and reflection factors, specific categories of objects are characterized such as 3D clouds, obscurants and flares (IR decoys). The approach is quite generic so very independent from the sensor. As a consequence, this product is now being transformed into a generic kernel for transverse applications of simulation. Besides, this kernel is evolving from infrared spectrum to millimetric radar spectrum which doesn't concern this paper's topic. To sum up, this kernel obeys to several important requirements : · Be the more physical and realistic as possible, in any case be as realistic as the sensor model · Be the more generic and independent from the sensor model · Be the more independent from satellite software e.g. atmospheric propagation models · Be the less time consuming to afford very complex and high resolution 3D databases.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

TRADITIONAL FLIGHT CREW TRAINING - IS IT REALLY SAFE?

Thomas Fakoussa

Awareness Training

 

Any inappropriate pilot action has its root in the central computer of that pilot, the brain. Most instructors do not know, which part of the brain they are actually modifying" when they are teaching/instructing. Thus for decades students had to store knowledge in the wrong part of the brain and as a result very soon forgot" the knowledge. On the other hand, skills are being taught and not experienced and as a result, in certain situations these skills cannot be activated, as they are stored in a part of the brain that does not function in certain circumstances. The outlay of most CBT programmes shows the same lack of in depth knowledge of brain adapted training/teaching. Would programme designers, simulator manufacturers, instructors and students know more about brain adapted training, they would love it, as it makes everybody's life easier. And in addition we would reduce our human failures" dramatically. I would like to change those statistics and save a few more life´s by looking at the root cause of our 75% pilots error accidents.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FLIGHT DATA PARAMETER VALUES AND INSTRUCTOR EVALUATIONS OF PERFORMANCE FOR SELECTED ADVANCED QUALIFICATION PROGRAM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

J.S. Bresee, A.F. O'Neal, Ph.D, J.S. Jennings

JIL Information Systems

 

While the use of digital data for accident investigation is universal, many of the major European carriers have for some time been gathering daily data on routine line operations for each leg from every aircraft in the fleet. These ongoing flight data analysis programs, carried out in close cooperation with regulating authorities, have long been known to yield significant benefits in both safety and economy of operations. Although ongoing excedance analysis is common throughout Europe, it has only recently begun to be used in the United States, where it has been held back for years by a unique combination of regulations and litigation practices. The litigation environment continues to generate issues regarding data retention, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken significant steps to eliminate regulatory obstacles. The introduction of the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) program, formally launched through FOQA Demonstration Project in July of 1995, allows carriers to claim protection from the use of collected and retained data for enforcement actions. The FOQA Demonstration Project itself is an FAA-funded test program to help air carriers gain experience with current flight data monitoring technology, and to develop organizations and systems to carry out ongoing analysis with the large fleets and high utilization rates common among US air carriers. The original techniques for ongoing flight data analysis were developed when computers of today's speed, power and capacity were either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Consequently, these techniques are usually based on analysis by exception, using the detection of excedences of operating limits as the primary methodology. Such programs have proven extremely useful in refining flight operations and training.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

SIMULATOR FIDELITY REQUIREMENTS: THE CASE OF PLATFORM MOTION

Judith Bürki-Cohen

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

 

Nancy N. Soja,Consultant

Brookline, Massachusetts

Thomas Longridge

Federal Aviation Administration

 

Today, the use of airplane simulators in pilot training and evaluation is universal. Simulators not only enable savings in training cost, but they have also practically eliminated training accidents for major airlines. They allow the training of emergency maneuvers which are inherently unsafe in the aircraft; and they permit crews to gain experience in operationally realistic scenarios that focus on both technical and crew resource management skills. In fact, initiatives such as the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Advanced Qualification Program (SFAR 58, 1990), which heavily relies on crew resource management and need-based proficiency objectives, would be unthinkable without ready access to a full flight simulator. Nevertheless, some regional airlines elect to do at least their recurrent training in the airplane. In part, this situation is due to a shortage of qualified simulators, especially for certain turboprop airplanes where the flight test data is not readily available. A second, and perhaps even more important, reason can be found in the high rental and purchase costs for full flight simulators, which, for small turboprops, may even exceed the cost of the airplane.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

LOW-FIDELITY SIMULATIONS

Clint A. Bowers, Florian Jentsch

Orlando, Florida

 

The problem of training junior first officers (FOs) in Crew Resource Management is one where the use of low-fidelity simulation appears appropriate, because the emphasis is on social/cognitive rather than psychomotor skills. In this paper, we demonstrate that a theoretically founded training approach using low-fidelity simulations can be effective in creating positive training outcomes. Specifically, we demonstrate the effective use of scenarios for training basic CRM skills in low-fidelity/PC-based simulations.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

ON LINE DELIVERY OF RECURRENT TRAINING

Nigel Pickford

Market Manager - Aerospace, SITA

 

SITA has initiated a programme to allow Airline operational staff to gain on-line access to training material via AeroNet - the secure global community intranet designed for the Aerospace and Air Transport Industry. The initiative aims to provide reliable access to training courseware as and when required, anywhere in the world. Such a service will eliminate many of the management and logistical difficulties experienced in recurrent training for flightdeck and cabin staff. Users will be able to access appropriate courseware with the confidence that they are viewing the latest version. Service features could also include student monitoring and course management. On-line delivery provides significant advantages over CD-ROM as the courseware material is managed centrally and accessed remotely from a single source. Working in partnership with the manufacturers, courseware providers and service providers, SITA hopes to demonstrate the viablity of a worldwide managed library service which could greatly increase training efficiency for small and large operators alike. SITA will be running a pilot programme during 1997/Early 1998 and will aim to demonstrate the service concept at ITEC 98. The paper will describe the user and managerial benefits of the above concept and will describe the enabling network and platform technologies. Feedback from users regarding the service merits, user friendliness, teaching efficiency and integration of training with regular duties will be addressed. AeroNet is a global, managed TCP/IP network which combines the flexibility and openness of the Internet Protocol with mission critical reliability and high bandwidth options. Currently AeroNet allows access to on-line services in over 500 cities in over 100 countries and could be available in 1500 cities in 225 countries should SITA Members require it. SITA is a non-profit making co-operative, providing global telecommunications services to the Air Transport industry.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

“FULL FLIGHT" SIMULATOR FOR THE RAILWAY DRIVER TRAINING

Cezary Szczepanski

Mp-Pzl Aerospace Industries Ltd

 

Krzysztof Stepien

Mp-Pzl Aerospace Industries Ltd

 

In the paper the author's remarks on the usage of the “full flight simulator" class device for the training of the train drivers are presented. Those remarks are based on the experience with the simulator designed and built for the Polish State Railways - the project was completed in the beginning of 1997.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

USE OF TELEMATICS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES TO DELIVER COMPETENCE AT A DISTANCE.

Robin J M Stokes

College of Railway Technology Ltd

 

Since January 1996 the College of Railway Technology has been researching into the use of telematics for supported distance learning. Telematics is defined as the combination of advanced telecommunications and Information Technology. The Sony Corporation has coined the acronym NAVIT (Networked Audio-Visual and Information Technologies) to describe the same concept.) The College, as part of the European Safety Net project, has used a combination of computer based training (CBT), Video Conferencing and the Internet to provide training services at a distance to some of its customers; thus reducing the need for travel, accommodation and replacement or cover staff. The subject chosen for piloting activities was Solid State Interlocking First Line Maintenance and Faulting. The results of the pilot are sufficiently encouraging to indicate that CRT will go ahead with further modules in this format and extend the technological basis to include delivery of the training material from a Web site.

 

This paper is available on the 1998 CD ROM.  Order it from ITEC, Ltd. - Papers

LOW-COST SIMULATOR FOR THE POLISH STATE RAILWAYS

Cezary Szczepanski

MP-PZL Aerospace Industries Ltd

 

Janusz Gajda

MP-PZL Aerospace Industries Ltd

 

In the paper, the idea, design and utilisation of the low-cost simulator for the Polish State Railways are presented. The simulator was designed to meet exceptionally high requirements and find a multipurpose employment at the minimal cost of the whole device. That requires using the new ideas in the constructions and= compromises between applied technologies and obtained parameters. The assumptions which should be fulfilled during the realisation of the project are as follows: t