Parametric Approach to Concept Exploration in Distributed Simulation

ARPA requires a software template of a tank weapon system that facilitates model creation and effectiveness assessment of proposed new subsystems incorporating new technology. The template must meet five requirements: incorporate a representation of all tank subsystems; permit each subsystem representation to have multiple levels of detail and fidelity; be modular, whereby various alternative designs of a given subsystem may be easily (without recoding of the template) plugged in to the model; accommodate the MlAl and MlA2 tanks and possess a growth path to representing aircraft-based weapon systems; and be executable at a computer generated forces (CGF) workstation participating in a distributed interactive simulation (DIS). In Phase I we will decompose the tank weapon system into about 60 subsystems to demonstrate the existence of the template. We will assess whether the Combat Instruction Set (CIS) for crew behavior needs to be modified to operate with a modular CGF. We will assess whether the products of other ARPA programs may be used by this effort. In Phase 2 we will complete the template, modify the CIS if necessary, and implement the CGF in a workstation, and execute it within a DIS. Anticipated Benefits/Potential Applications - This modular CGF could be used by ARPA, the Systems Command elements of the armed services, and major prime contractors. It enables rapid prototyping in software of proposed new designs. This enables evaluation of new technologies and subsystems, and enables tradeoffs between the elements of a subsystem specification. Phase 3 would develop a commercialized version of the software to be sold to major prime contractors.