Simulation Technologies to Rapidly Evolve Network-Centric System-of-Systems Large Aircraft Advanced Situation Awareness (ASA) and Protection Concepts

Man/hardware-in-the-loop laboratory simulation is the most cost-effective methodology for evolving/maturing advanced Advanced Situation Awareness (ASA) and Electronic Protection (EP) technologies for large aircraft because the battlefield can be brought to the laboratory through multi-spectral synthetic battlespace simulation. Current laboratory network-centric battlespace simulators do not provide the required fidelity to accurately simulate the parameters needed to develop ASA and EP capabilities. DRA proposes to solve this challenging technology limitation by developing a Threat Target Simulator for Large Aircraft (TTSLA) for rapid prototyping of advanced ASA and EP systems. The TSLA flexible architecture will enable the development of advanced ASA and EP technologies for large aircraft within a controlled laboratory environment enabling repeatable test and step-by-step evaluation/debugging capabilities. TTSAL will provide simulator technology to develop ASA and EP technologies within new military concepts such as Lightweight Modular Support Jammer (LMSJ) and Core Component Jammer (CCJ) for application to military aircraft such as, B-2,, C-17 and C-130. During Phase II, DRA will develop a prototype capability and demonstrate key performance characteristics. The Phase II effort will provide a building-block capability for rapid evolution of ASA and EP technology. BENEFIT: The Phase I/II SBIR results shall provide a real-time network-centric battlespace simulation base that will address the needs of evolving advanced situation awareness and electronic protection concepts. This simulation technology base will be leveraged to provide network-centric battlespace simulation products resulting in Phase III initiatives that address both government and commercial applications in markets such as the telecommunications and sensor industries.