Strategy Games for Enhancing Airman Performance and Training AI Models: "Global Conflict Simulator" and "USAF-X: Wing Commander Simulator"

Wargaming is the most effective way for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to test new ideas and capabilities that will transform future battlefields; however, wargaming is underutilized because today's games lack automated adjudication, are not easily replayed and don't generate usable data.ĀĀĀ Introducing Smarter RealityÆs GLOBAL CONFLICT SIMULATOR (GCS) video game of great power competition and USAF-X: THE WING COMMANDER SIMULATOR (USAF-X) video game of wing combat operations which together use sophisticated AI-agents (adversary &Āallied behavior) and adjudication to produce fun, engaging digital wargamesĀofĀDAFĀmissions.ĀGCS & USAF-X also produce detailed player decision data that can be used for training new AI-agents via machine learning.ĀĀĀ Designed in collaboration with Air War College to support theĀGlobal Strategy curriculum and inspired by games such as Stellaris, GCS is an AI-enabled, competitive wargame of great power competition where players (each taking the role of US, China or Russia) interact with a simulated, evolving,Āglobal environment across the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war.Ā ĀPlayers start by engaging at a strategic levelĀto proactively shape a conflict environment via the instruments of national power (diplomacy, information, military, economics) by defining national strategies, influencing allies and non-aligned nations, and dedicating resources towards establishing future military force structure.Ā Once conflict begins (triggered byĀplayers), the game moves into operational and tactical phases where the world state and available forces directly follow from the playersÆ previous strategic choices.Ā In these later phases, players use a mix of diplomacy, military action, co-opetition to achieve national goals.Ā The game can be played in multiplayer or single-player, with AI-enabled agents serving as adversaries.Ā ĀĀ Leveraging base-buildingĀmechanics from the hit game Frostpunk, players of USAF-X build an AF-base, acquire aircraft and then deploy these planes to fly missions. DevelopedĀfor the AF Recruiting Service, players begin each session by deploying limited resources to upgrade theĀair base, buy or repair existing aircraft, and recruit personnel with specialized skills using a collectible card-game mechanic.Ā These ōhero cardsö reflect AFSCs (jobs) and are used to influence operations and mission outcomes (for example, a ōcrew chiefö hero card may improve maintenance efficiency, reducing the cost to repair).Ā ĀBase upgrades have a similar effect; adding a ōSpace Ops Centerö improves satellite imagery, reducing the risk of surprise.Ā ĀPlayers can assign aircraft and crew to missions (air superiority, close air support, airlift) where success is determined by player strategy, adversary AI and the fog & friction of war. GCS and USAF-X provide fun, engaging experiences using proven gameplay and authentic USAF experiences while generating valuable player decision data suitable for machine learning.Ā ĀĀ