Operation “Blended Warrior:” A collaborative live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) event
Operation “Blended Warrior” (OBW) is a collaborative live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) event conducted between the US Department of Defense (DoD) and industry for the purpose of uncovering and documenting the challenges to rapidly developing and integrating a training LVC environment. Capitalising on the phenomenal capabilities demonstrated at I/ITSEC by industry partners, OBW has developed a networked architecture to allow those capabilities to be integrated in a fashion representative of their real-life intended purpose.
In this manner, I/ITSEC attendees are not only able to see industry’s capabilities in a highly representative environment, but talk to LVC experts about the challenges (and potential solutions) associated with integrating the various capabilities together. Whether the challenge to LVC is standards, database interoperability, cyber, performance measurement, cross-domain solutions, or distributed after action review, OBW has developed a construct to better understand and demonstrate those challenges. The National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) is once again the OBW 2016 sponsor.
Block 1: Unrest to Upheaval
Monday, 28 November 2016, 1430-1600Block 2: The Opposition St rikes
Tuesday, 29 November 2016, 1430-1600Block 3: Taking Control
Wednesday, 30 November 2016, 1030-1200Block 4: Turning the Tide
Wednesday, 30 November 2016, 1600-1730Block 5: The Enemy Unmasked
Thursday, 1 December 2016, 1000-1130
LVC Simulation:
Live simulation involves real people operating real systems. Military training events using real equipment are live simulations. They are considered simulations because they are not conducted against a live enemy.
Virtual simulation is simulation involving real people operating simulated systems. Virtual simulations inject human-in-the-loop in a central role by exercising motor control skills (i.e., flying an airplane), decision skills (i.e., committing fire control resources to action), or communication skills (i.e., as members of a C4I team).
A constructive simulation includes simulated people operating simulated systems. Real people stimulate (make inputs) to such simulations, but are not involved in determining the outcomes. A constructive simulation is a computer programme. For example, a military user may input data instructing a unit to move and to engage an enemy target. The constructive simulation determines the speed of movement, the effect of the engagement with the enemy and any battle damage that may occur.
The Distributed Training Center (DTC) is the hub where LVC units are organised, controlling and coordinating the synthetic battle space; providing role playing, technical oversight and has the God’s eye view.
The DTC has three main components: Blue stations labelled 1-4 and 13; white/red stations labelled 5-8; tech stations labelled 9-12. The Blue Cell depicts a typical watch team conducting an event. The Watch Commander is separated and controlling the four watch stations: C4I, air and ground operations, and naval forces. The stations are equipped with Joint Semi-Automated Forces (JSAF), Command and Control Personal Computer (C2PC), Next Generation Threat System (NGTS), and Excite.
The White/Red Cell is combined in the OBW version. The Red Cell provides overall strategic coordination of the forces the Blue Cell is “combatting”. The White Cell provides adjudication services as required and ensures training activity occurs through the use of injected events. The four stations are equipped with JSAF, NGTS, and for cyber the Network Effects Emulation System (NE2S). The technical team ensures all of the simulation, video, and communications necessary to enact the event remain in optimum training configuration. Besides the Tech Control station, the other three stations (are for communications, simulations, and video.
Participants in the DTC on booth #349 include:
National Training and Simulation Association is the primary OBW audience viewing area and serves several important functions. The booth serves as a prototype DTC similar to that which can be found at military training sites. The DTC functions as the “hub” for performing OBW network management and control, exercise management, execution, and exercise observations. Behind the scenes, it provides technical control of the exercise environment and includes enterprise solutions for converting between different interoperability protocols. Positions being manned for OBW include Battle Master, Exercise Director, and white-cell/exercise operators, and audio/visual control.
The 132nd Wing Air National Guard’s Distributed Training Operations Center (DTOC) is again bringing its networking, modelling and simulation, white force, and scenario management capabilities and expertise to OBW. DTOC operators have in-depth experience integrating virtual players for a host of DoD platforms with their constructive environment generators to simulate the entire combat environment. DTOC network engineers architect and maintain DMO training networks in order to allow platforms to connect at their respective combat capability (security) levels enabling full spectrum training and mission rehearsal activities. Their modelling and simulation experts understand simulation/stimulation at its core as it relates to their entire DIS application toolset and DIS standards compliance.
As a member of OBW Strategic Subcommittee, Booz Allen Hamilton assisted with planning activities, offering the firm’s well-established DoD expertise in LVC end-to-end integration, exercise support, analytics, and policy alignment. During OBW 2016, the company’s LVC Training Environment team will assist with exercise observation, lessons learned, and after action review.
The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division is the technical lead and primary integrator for OBW, and is the design agent of the OBW network and DTC. NAWCTSD has integrated the following key capabilities into the DTC: Naval Air Forces’ principal Semi-Automated Force system (i.e. Joint Semi-Automated Forces – JSAF), simulation language translation (i.e. Joint Simulation Bus – JBUS), cross domain solutions for simulation and voice communications networks, and Cyber Warfare effects (i.e. Network Effects Emulation System – NE2S). NE2S integrates traditional test and training environments with cyber-attack scenarios to provide realistic emulation of network and host-based cyberspace attacks. The DTC also provides exercise coordination and management services; e.g. Instant Messaging/chat, countdown clock, file sharing.
Participants on the exhibit floor include:
On booth #349 and #551, ImmersaView’s VADAAR helps bring OBW together through network centric video streaming. Video and audio feeds from participants are managed and displayed in the operations centre in real-time. Streams include real-time computer displays, IP cameras, and pre-recorded assets. Video and audio will be streamed from booths on the show floor as well as over long-haul networks. The VADAAR ender software is installed at each source, making them instantly available over the IP based network. The VADAAR Viewer software displays these sources from the network. VADAAR is COTS software and supports industry standards such as H.264, MP4, and JPEG.
The 772d TS/Electronic Warfare Operation Support (EWOS) on booth #1339 has an F-16 System Integration Lab; with Full Hardware-In-The-Loop or emulation based ops, APG 68 v5 radar, Pod and Weapon Connectivity and Link-16 Capable (DREN or RF) for DoD or commercial testing. Types of testing supported in a secure environment are; High Risk Envelope Expansion, AA/AG Tactics and Maneuver Development, Tactical Data Link, Weapons/Pod Integration, Flight/Avionics Familiarization, and Multiple Ship/Multiple Service Interoperability to name a few. The IFAST features to augment your testing needs; Secure Bays (up to TS/SCI/SAR), DREN for Distributed ops, LOS to Flight Line and Bomb Ranges, Roof Antenna Farm, Integrated Power and Cooling and Target Simulators (RF and Direct Inject). Other manned cockpit simulators are also available to support.
ACME Worldwide Enterprises (booth #665) specialises in motion cueing technologies for military and commercial systems worldwide. Its patented dynamic motion seats and full-force machine gun trainers provide real-world sensations, cueing, and motion training for simulators.
Adobe CONNECT, on booth #459, has helped DoD units and partners since 2003 accomplish their training and combat missions. CONNECT is being used in OBW as a collaboration tool between vendor participants, as well as scenario simulation and remote briefings.
Aero Simulation (ASI, booth #801) has a long history of providing and supporting simulation training systems to the US Coast Guard (USCG), USMC, US Navy and USAF. For OBW 2016, ASI is providing the reconfigurable MH-60T USCG training device, which allows USCG crews to train various configurations of the H-60 platform. The device contains a high-fidelity flight model and controls, and a complete Electro-Optical (EO) Sensor Suite to train crew in Search-And-Rescue (SAR) and Drug Interdiction operations which will be the primary showcase during OBW. The training device showcases ASI’s ability to integrate into large LVS environments, such as OBW, and to provide advanced training objectives such as networked armoured crew integration and in-air refuelling operations.
The Air Force Research Lab’s (AFRL) Warfighter Readiness and Research Division on booth #1339 and #1173 continues to pioneer and advance DMO training and LVC training methods and capabilities. AFRL is dedicated to superior training systems for the soldier so that they can train as they fight. AFRL will be providing an A-10 Game Based Trainer and PETS for this years OBW exercise. The Performance Evaluation and Tracking System (PETS) is an intelligent suite of data mining, performance analysis, and storage tools uniquely developed by AFRL. For use within DMO environments, PETS captures objective measurement data necessary for Mission Essential Competency evaluation, end-user performance feedback, real-time graphs for instructor support, simulator technology for engineering validation, and researcher/program manager evaluation of training techniques and technologies.
US Air Force Training Systems Product Group on booth #1339 brings a collection of initiatives and Operational Training Capabilities to OBW, which focus on creating an LVC Training Environment in support of the USAF’s evolution from traditional live-fly to integrated Readiness Training. AFSOC and the Joint Systems Integration Lab (JSIL) will provide full motion video feeds to OBW. The Air Force Research Laboratory will feature game-based pilot stations and a PETS and LVC Network Control Suite (LNCS) visualisation and after action review tools. The 772nd Test Squadron (TS) Electronic Warfare Operations Squadron (EWOS) features an F-16 simulator to by providing Hardware-In-The-Loop, Weapons, Generate Test Targets, and Target Tracking Radars.
On Alion Science and Technology’s booth #1515 visitors can experience the cloud compatible, fully virtualised STRYKER trainer; see the Navy Training Baseline in action showcasing its new “whole earth” visualisation system; and observe integrated LVC cyber effects. During this event, Alion also integrates an active cyber range and incorporates resulting cyber effects into the LVC event. The cyber effects are detected by the Behavior Based Network Management (BBNM) cyber detection and analysis system in the Alion booth.
For OBW 2016, on booth #701, Aptima is applying four products that track, analyse, store, understand, and visualise human performance in real time and post mission. PETS is an intelligent suite of data mining, performance analysis, and storage tools developed by AFRL/RHAS and Lumir Research Institute (now part of Aptima). PM ENGINE enables collection of data from many different types of data sources, including: neurological, physiological, simulator data (HLA, DIS), builtin instructor operator station control, communications, and audio. SPOTLITE allows observers to subjectively rate and understand student and instructor performance in real time. Performance DASHBOARD features web-based displays and filtering tools that enables analysis of performance data captured by PM ENGINE and SPOTLITE.
This year on booth #654, BGI is bringing significant advancements in data analysis and reporting to the OBW exercise. Technology and experience from the cutting-edge of the analytics industry have been used to assemble a data analysis and data reporting suite for NGTS. Logs from any device can be collected, correlated, and queried to convert data to information. Graphical reports convert that information into domain knowledge, helping the humans where it matters most – succinct reports to facilitate learning, increased value of each training hour, and a historical database for continual research.
Boeing is bringing its F/A-18 Low Cost Trainer and InSight Exercise Control and Monitoring stations to booth #2049 in the OBW LVC event and demonstrate its Integrated-LVC capabilities.
Bohemia Interactive Simulations, on booth #2348, offers video game-based simulation software adapted to support LVC simulations. High-fidelity virtual environments are enabled on the desktop with VBS3 and for part-task and full mission simulators with VBS-IG. VBS GATEWAY provides native DIS/HLA connectivity. With little or no development, VBS can virtually simulate any entity whether it be an avatar, a vehicle, or complex weapon systems needed for exercises on land, sea, littoral, or in the air. BISim is providing a correlated terrain database built with TerraTools from TerraSim that, combined with VBS, will be used in every OBW event.
CAE showcases two solutions as part of the event on CAE booth #1533. CAE’s MQ-9 REAPER Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) mission trainer, developed in partnership with General Atomics, is used to provide Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) during the air, ground, and maritime battles. This UAS simulator features a range of CAE’s simulation technologies, such as high-fidelity sensor simulation and Common DataBase (CDB). CAE also showcases an Aeromedical Evacuation Training System populated with human patient simulators developed by CAE Healthcare.
Calytrix Technologies on booth #1363 is a vital teammate of the US Army as the prime contractor for the Games For Training programme. For OBW, Calytrix’s Inject Planner software is being used to plan, prepare, execute, and After Action Review (AAR) the exercise. Inject Planner offers a server based system with a simple intuitive interface that is scalable from small team to multi-agency events and offers the ability to collaboratively plan training events, and to re-use data for future training. Calytrix’s “Cost Counter” is a software programme that monitors the simulation network (using DIS/HLA standards) and accumulates and displays the individual, category, and total costs associated with the simulation events.
Camber’s technology support for OBW is on display in the US Navy booth #337, showcasing the adaptive Research, Design, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) equipment developed for the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and reflective of the ONR-sponsored Fleet Integrated Synthetic Technology Testing Facility (FIST2FAC) Lab, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The display, known as FIST2FAC-Lite, represents the reconfigurable nature of the lab, designed here to demonstrate an integrated shipboard training capability to allow ships’ crews to practice the command and control (C2) procedures needed to defend the ship in a complex surface warfare scenario. Other recently developed Camber technologies can be viewed in the Camber booth #2748.
Cubic Global Defense (CGD) customises training systems and services in anticipation of emerging missions, requirements and concepts of operation. Cubic’s booth #1549 lets visitors experience CGD solutions for performance-based training, immersive simulation, game-based learning, LVC training, indirect fire and augmented reality.
Dignitas Technologies, a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) on booth #424 and #629, is showcasing the Augmented REality Sandtable (ARES) and the VERITAS 2D/3D visualisation system. ARES is a training platform that integrates traditional sandtable hardware with COTS technology to enable distributed sandtable exercises and collaborative mission planning. For OBW, ARES is serving as the Common Operating Picture (COP) for the OBW ground forces. Veritas enables viewing simulations including terrain, entity models, weather, and dynamic terrain features all based on Army standard data sources and models. Veritas is fielded as the 3D stealth component for the Army’s LVC-IA and USMC’s ITESS II and is used as a GOTS component in SE Core, AVCATT, and other research programmes. VERITAS provides a view of the OBW exercise.
Distributed Mission Operations Center for Space (DMOC-S) provides realistic LVC environments to integrate space capabilities and effects through advanced training, exercises, and mission rehearsal events worldwide. In 2015, the DMOC-S supported 22 exercises, five experiments, six demonstrations, four tests, and 25 soldier focused events, impacting over 30,000 soldiers. At OBW 2016 on booth #428, DMOC-S provides the space order of battle, GPS jamming and effects, and integrates with NA WCTSD and others to simulate communications satellite Ku link jamming for the demonstration exercise.
ESRI is a world leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and, on booth #558, is demonstrating how the ArcGIS platform is suited to provide geospatial support and analysis to the LVC modelling and simulation community. The ArcGIS platform supports industry standards for geospatial formats and provides the capability to create, manage, and use real world or constructed terrain data. Prior to OBW, ESRI is helping to construct the simulation terrain from real world data using tools in ArcGIS for Desktop, and publish the data for collaboration using ArcGIS Online software. During OBW, participants can access this same geotypical and geospecific terrain through ArcGIS for Server and Portal for ArcGIS on the enclaved OBW network.
Explotrain provided Battlefield Effects and IED Simulations as a proud participant in OBW. Explotrain’s latest generation pneumatic devices on booth #325 increased the realism of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) by imparting operational and emotional stressors to immerse students in a fully-encompassing training scenario. When explosives and pyrotechnics are not an option and safety is paramount, Explotrain is able to provide realistic simulation technologies to maximise training effectiveness. Squad Overmatch employed non-pyrotechnic IEDs with realistic audible and visual effects; booby-trap devices used to test individuals and teams on situational awareness, reaction, and timing; and wearable devices with the realism of blood splatter disbursement, sound and appearance.
For the event FlightSafety on booth #1501 is showcasing its VITAL 1100 visual system as an airborne MQ-9 REAPER unmanned sensor platform. The MQ-9 provides ISR over an assigned watch area of interest. The MQ-9 demonstrates FlightSafety’s VITAL 1100 system to simulate a variety of sensor capabilities while conducting ISR missions. FlightSafety simulators and visual systems are independently capable of integrating directly in LVC exercises and FlightSafety has been involved in various LVC missions in recent years.
KGS TraumaFX on booth #629/2672 AirwayPlus Lifecast-Pulses/Breathing (APL-PB) and the Packable Hemostatic (HEMO) Trauma Trainers provide traumatic upper and lower body injuries used in IED blast type scenarios and allow medics to provide life saving techniques and stabilise the casualty. The APL-PB is an extremely effective training tool allowing first responders to perform critical tasks that include maintaining an airway, needle decompression, cricothyroidotomy, intraosseous infusion, and chest tube insertion. The HEMO features a full left leg with a bleeding wound at the inguinal crease for hemostatic wound training, venous bleeding at the lower leg, and a traumatic amputation of the right leg requiring a tourniquet. All information is captured on a wireless remote control.
L-3 Communications LINK Simulation & Training on booth #1249 integrates some of its virtual aircrew training products to highlight LINK’s expertise and versatility for fulfilling an integrated LVC training events capability requirements and learning objectives from a distant location. For this event, two of LINK’s SimuStrike Part Task Trainers located in Arlington, TX/USA are used as virtual F-16s for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.
On booth #781, Laser Shot showcases its LVS training software and recent integration with SIMmersion’s PeopleSIM conversation engine as part of OBW. LVS provides an immersive virtual CQC environment inside ballistic or non-ballistic training facilities using dynamic human avatar targets, that replace traditional paper and plastic static targets that look, respond, and sound like human combatants in theatre. The AAR component in LVS provides measurable data for human performance gains following training exercises. The primary critical measurable performancefactor is Soldiers improvement in their tactical decision making skills (i.e. Shoot or Don’t Shoot) when confronting a multitude of different characters and situations.
As part of OBW, two F-16 Block 50 aircraft engage through Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3D software, which offers immersive realism and provides the foundation for many of the company’s training devices. The Reconfigurable Vehicle Simulator (RVS), a medium fidelity trainer, operates in the ground domain. Lockheed Martin is located on booth #849.
MASA Group is a global company focused on the development of Artificial Intelligence-based Modeling and Simulation (M&S) software for the defence, emergency management, healthcare, and games-related markets. For OBW, on booth #2360, MASA’s SWORD product, which is a high-level, automated simulation (wargame) for cost-efficient training, analysis, and planning, is used throughout ground based vignettes to automate entities within the simulation and to provide a Common Operational Picture (COP). SWORD simulates an extremely diverse range of situations in highly realistic environments and powered by its unique artificial intelligence technology, gives trainees the ability to command thousands of autonomous entities.
Metova’s (booth #1873) CyberCENTS portfolio exposes cyber operators to real cyber threats advancing their technical skills, all within a risk-free environment. The CENTS scenario-based stimuli allow crews to experience and conduct aggressive activities to disrupt, obstruct, and destroy the integrity of the network, employ defensive and mitigation techniques, and conduct hunt, investigative, and forensic operations. Metova provides fully attributable virtualised traffic and cyber-attack generation, and an internet topology. Uses of CENTS include training network defence, CPT, and national mission teams, appliance testing and evaluation, and workforce assessments. Specific to the OBW, events occurring within Metova’s range cause cyber injects (i.e., voice/video disruption) into the simulated environment utilizing current LVC protocols.
The MITRE Corporation on booth #629, a not-for-profit company that operates multiple federally funded R&D centres, is the lead systems engineer and integrator for the US Army Squad Overmatch (SOvM) Study. MITRE and partner Cognitive Performance Group (CPG) are focused on assisting the Army develop, enhance, and deliver unit training as well as institutional courses and lessons that enhance Soldier performance. At OBW 2016, MITRE, CPG, and the SOvM Study team are demonstrating their tested and validated Integrated Training Approach that implements instruction, simulation-based team training, and live team training to focus on developing knowledge and skills in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Advanced Situational Awareness, Resilience, Team Development, and Integrated AARs.
The Deployable Virtual Training Environment (DVTE) utilises Virtual Battle Space 3 (VBS3) for small unit tactical decision making training aligned with Training and Readiness (T&R) manual requirements. DVTE is fielded to Battle Simulation Centers (BSC) throughout the USMC, deployed units and Navy ships. For the first time at OBW 2016, VBS3 is hosted in a cloud computing environment. For OBW, Marines utilise VBS3 to participate in the amphibious assault vignettes on USMC Systems Command Program Manager Training Systems (PM TRA SYS) booth #1333. The Combined Arms Command and Control Trainer Upgrade System (CACCTUS) is a combined arms staff training system that enables comprehensive Marine Corps staff, unit and team training. CACCTUS will be used in OBW to produce the Common Operational Picture (COP) used by the tactical commanders.
Mönch is exhibiting on booth #2729 and provides all the relevant information for OBW in its magazines MILITARY TECHNOLOGY and NAVAL FORCES as well as constant news and updates on www.monch.com.
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is the centre of excellence for modelling and simulation of the battlespace environment. During OBW, NAVAIR on booth #337 features two products. The Next Generation Threat System (NGTS), which is a synthetic environment generator used to support training, testing, analysis, and R&D. NGTS models friendly and threat aircraft, ground and surface platforms, and their corresponding weapons and subsystems. The Architecture Management Integration Environment (AMIE), which is a cross-platform middleware that provides an interface abstraction, a collection of libraries, and a set of tools that help solve reusability problems associated with the direct implementation of distributed simulation protocols.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR), also on booth #337, working with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, is showcasing a suite of LVC technologies and capabilities resulting from a multiyear effort investigating training fidelity issues, and a display of adaptive Research, Design, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) equipment. The highlights include a fielded training prototype demonstrating dynamic adaptation of Semi-Autonomous Forces (SAFs) behaviour, integration of live aircraft onto flight display systems and guidelines for effective training and safe representation of virtual/constructive assets, rigorous assessment of learning using objective measurement methods, and a display of a reconfigurable integrated shipboard training capability.
Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) and Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Advanced Training and Simulation Division (ATSD) are located on booth #629. PEO STRI collaborated with ARL’s ATSD to introduce ground forces and a Common Operating Picture (COP) concept to OBW using Live and Virtual Simulations. Games for Training (GFT) represent mounted and dismounted Virtual Forces during OBW engagements. GFT prepares soldiers and leaders for military operations in support of Force 2025 and beyond with robust training and mission rehearsal capabilities. ARL’s Augmented REality Sandtable (ARES) serves as the COP for the OBW ground forces. It enables the viewing of terrain, entity models, weather and dynamic terrain features. Squad Overmatch employs an integrated training approach that builds on existing warrior skills training, resulting in high performing infantry squads. Combat Casualty Care is an important component and is highlighted in the booth.
PLEXSYS Interface Products, Inc, is demonstrating its Advanced Simulation Combat Operations Trainer (ASCOT), the sonomarc platform communications simulator and the US AWACS Block 30/35 Simulator, on booth #2340. ASCOT is a multi-purpose environment generator capable of providing a wide variety of entity types, data-link simulation and emitter interactions for training across the simulation spectrum. Sim Woks is a non-ITAR environment generator, capable of generating air entities. Somomarc is a communications system used to simulate a wide range of radio types, provide translations for LVC communications, as well as speech-to-text and text-to-speech for automated white force inputs. The AWACS Block 30/35 Mission Training Centers are used by USAF Air Battle Managers around the world for all phases of aircrew training.
Presagis is providing a UAS simulation scenario in “Block 1” of OBW on booth #1057. This scenario will take place at the border between Mexico and the United States of America and showcase a single central OGC CDB compliant terrain database that will support all visuals, sensors, and computer generated forces.
Rockwell Collins offers military aviators an immersive, highly realistic collaborative training environment. On booth #2300, visitors can see demonstrations including live flight and see how LVC-enabled, blended training from Rockwell Collins is open, secure, interoperable, and most importantly available now. Product offering demonstrations include Joint Secure Air Combat Training System (JSAS), with the first certified, four-level Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) training equipment. JTAC RealFires transportable trainer, the high-fidelity EP-8100 Image generator, Matrix Projector series and WholeEarth synthetic environment provide unparalleled realism in a completely immersive and adaptive environment.
Saab Defense and Security USA’s TEMIS (Training and Exercise Management Information System) is a information management tool for measuring performance and managing exercises. The user structures a capture plan tailored to the training or exercise objectives, then allocates the sources which will deliver the information needed. TEMIS, on booth #2449, supports integration independent of the training domain. It consists of a server hosted database that can be managed through a portal from a web browser. The server can then be connected to different objective information sources like virtual simulators and an operational Battle Management System (BMS). It can also connect to subjective information sources; e.g. observer operating from a web browser or operating a COTS mobile device (smartphone or tablet) holding a native application.
SAIC (booth #2113) and VMware are providing a cloud solution called High Fidelity Cloud Network (HiFiCloudNet), where high fidelity applications are delivered via the cloud to low-cost, end point user devices. SAIC cloud and simulation engineering, combined with VMware GPU virtualisation technology, provides a view of the OBW warfight using VT MÄK and Bohemia Interactive Simulations applications. The applications is fully functional on zero client, low-end computing devices, and interoperable with other OBW participants. HiFiCloudNet can facilitate high-fidelity training in locations with little infrastructure and computing hardware.
Soar Technology’s participation in OBW on booth #601 highlights the Training Executive Agent (TXA). The TXA dynamically adapts the behaviour of Semi-Autonomous Forces (SAFs) to ensure that the SAFs are compliant with range-training and range-safety requirements (even when those requirements change during execution). The TXA builds on and integrates algorithms and methods from intelligent tutoring systems, supervisory control and automation, and cognitive modelling to allow users to specify when and how to adapt SAFs from the native behaviour programmes used by a constructive simulation. The TXA has been demonstrated and applied in operationally-realistic LVC scenarios and is being used within a fielded training prototype. It will be included in future versions of NGTS.
The CERT Division of Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute, on booth #714, is providing the Simulation, Training, and Exercise Platform (STEP), which combines extensive research and innovative technology to offer a new solution to cybersecurity workforce development. The platform enables the CERT Division to test new cyber training, exercise technologies, and content to better understand how to rapidly advance the state of the practice for cyber workforce development. The Cyber-Kinetic Effects Integration (CKEI) project extends the cyber topologies offered by STEP, allowing cyber effects to propagate into the kinetic space and for kinetic effects to propagate into the cyber network. CKEI is used during OBW to showcase tactical cyber capabilities in support of a kinetic mission.
The V-280 flight simulator on booth #1301 manufactured by TRU Simulation + Training is a high fidelity Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Bell V-280 VALOR. The FTD gives the pilots a true sense of the aircraft’s next generation tiltrotor operation. The Bell V-280 provides MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) and close air support for ground forces. This FTD will familiarise the legacy helicopter pilot community with the transformational acceleration, deceleration, low speed agility, and high speed manoeuvrability of a next generation V-280 tiltrotor that will fundamentally change the way pilots employ, fly and fight in future conflicts.
The Cyber Operational Architecture Training System (COATS) is a US DoD Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office high-level task, led by the US Pacific Command Cyber War Innovation Center on booth #1539, that integrates existing cyber range environments, traditional simulation architectures, operational networks, and cyber emulations to safely and securely synchronise and deliver realistic cyber effects to the entire battlestaff – cyber for all. In doing so COATS provides an integrated and contested training environment where red and blue operators plan, execute and experience realistic cyberspace operations and conditions in all domains.
The US Navy Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), on booth #337, is the US’ premiere military institution with the responsibility for training our nation’s Surface Warriors with the skills and art of manoeuvring and navigating the world’s most sophisticated warships. The SWOS exhibit showcases one of the school’s fundamental trainers for teaching basic and advanced ship handling skills. The Conning Officers Virtual Environment III trainer replicates all the controls, displays, and the “out the window” scenes of being on an actual Navy warship bridge. This OBW demonstration consists of a VirtualShip simulator with the US Navy’s ship and harbour databases. VirtualShip simulators have been integrated with combat direction systems, firearms trainer, semi-automated forces, flight, navigation, machinery and ship control system simulators of various equipment OEM’s.
On booth #1048, VT MÄK is demonstrating commitment to the LVC training community with a full suite of simulation and interoperability tools. MÄK is using VR-FORCES to control all civilian shipping throughout all execution blocks. MÄK is using a VR-FORCES based UAV pilot and sensor operator station for a rotary-wing FIRE SCOUT UAV, deployed with a US Navy-simulated LCS. MÄK also uses VR-VANTAGE and WebLVC-based 2D and 3D apps to provide situational awareness and views of the entire exercise. MÄK helped with the preparation of this multi-organisation exercise by participating in the OBW IPT, Integration, Terrain, and Battle Problems Leads working groups and by providing software to help other participants: VR-EXCHANGE gateways for connecting to the network and the MÄK Data Logger for scenario recording.
Wegmann USA, Inc., a Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) company, develops a wide variety of training systems from classroom trainers to high fidelity full mission trainers. These trainers cover a multitude of training tasks, from basic driver and gunnery training to crew coordination, platoon, and battalion level simulations. These training systems all leverage one common and proven virtual and constructive simulation software package developed by KMW Training and Simulation group. During OBW, on booth #1012, Wegmann is participating with two man-in-the-loop light armoured vehicle trainers. Demonstrating the type of advanced training systems with state-of-the-art technology that provide a robust, flexible solution that are reliable, easily maintained and can be upgraded as necessary throughout the system’s life cycle that they can provide.
ZedaSoft, on booth #2341, is demonstrating its MiLToC and MOCKINGBIRD products. MiLToC provides an instantaneous DIS protocol transfer of control from a constructive simulation into a virtual role player. This software optimises the SME time as a red, white or blue force role player in the training vignette. MOCKINGBIRD is a reconfigurable UAV/RPA virtual simulator with EO/IR and SAR payloads. UAV/RPA performance is configurable from small low altitude platforms to large high altitude performance. It provides streaming EO/IR video to H.264 protocol media viewers over the network. The product includes a verified DIS v6 protocol interface for Distributed Mission Operations exercises. MetaVR has provided their VRSG image generator and southwest US region database to generate the EO/IR and SAR imagery.
For more information please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #12/2016, available at the show on booth #2729; and frequently check back for more NEWS FROM THE FLOOR.
