A data broker architecture for fires and effects interoperability

We propose data broker technology that enables seamless semantic interoperability between C2 devices, autonomous vehicles, and simulation systems within a distributed, networked fires and effects architecture. Unique features of our approach include 1) a run-time-adaptive model-based design that makes it easy to"hot deploy"changes to content representations, message formats, message translators, or fires systems components without having to modify any source code, 2) a semi-canonical data model that encourages the development and spread of"islands of semantic interoperability"for hub-and-spoke translation between content representations, and 3) uniquely expressive representations of courses of action, tasks, desired effects, mission orders, mission analysis products, and other contextual information to mediate communication between"intent aware"components of the fires and effects architecture, including fully automated C2 simulations and autonomous vehicles. Our primary focus will be information exchange for distributed fires and effects planning, rehearsal, execution, and training. However, our framework will also be designed for broader applicability to other war fighters functional areas, Joint and coalition planning and decision-making, simulation-based test and evaluation, and CONOPS development for autonomous systems.