Dual-Use Simulation Technologies for Advanced Technology Demonstrations in Synthetic Battlespace

Current application research demonstration methodologies utilize open-air range testing to conduct advanced technology demonstrations. This approach is time-consuming and requires extensive/costly flight testing. Open-air ranges cannot generate the dense threat environments that would be experienced in actual combat situations. Flight test productivity is low due to the fact that there are so many uncontrolled variables and the inability to make changes during the actual flight test. This research topic focuses on reducing the heavy reliance on open-air range testing for advanced technology demonstrations. Current simulation technologies do not provide the required fidelity and real-time simulation support environment required for synthetic battlespace advanced technology demonstrations. DRA proposes to solve this challenging technology limitation by developing a Battlespace Electronic Attack Simulation Testbed (BEAST) concept for evolving and demonstrating advanced airborne electronic attack technologies. BEAST will utilize a distributed architecture that will support the employment of the DoD High Level Architecture (HLA) concept for conducting collaborative research. The BEAST effort will develop/evolve high fidelity, dual-use, real-time simulation technologies to enable advanced technology demonstrations to be conducted in a laboratory generated synthetic battlespace. BEAST uses constructive (digital models), virtual (man-in-the-loop) and hardware-in-the-loop simulation for synthetic battlespace advanced technology demonstrations and the capability to trace the military worth of research contributions due to insertion of advanced technologies within constructive or virtual simulations. BEAST will provide simulator technology to develop/evolve/demonstrate advanced electronic attack technologies for application to military aircraft such as F-22, B-52, F-35, and the X-45 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). During Phase II, DRA will implement a prototype capability into the Sensors Directorate's Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory (IDAL) and demonstrate key performance characteristics. The Phase II effort will provide a building block capability for rapid evolution and demonstration of advanced airborne electronic attack technology.