INCORPORATING RADIO FREQUENCY MESH NETWORKS TO LINK LIVE, VIRTUAL, CONSTRUCTIVE TRAINING

Given the importance of modeling and simulation (M&S) for creating realistic training environments and employing or developing tactical systems for warfighters, the Department of Defense is turning toward live, virtual, constructive (LVC) simulations as a means to prepare and equip our military for the next war. M&S offers a unique competency for modeling emergent enemy behaviors in constructive simulations on virtual battlefields across the globe. Transferring these dynamic tactical actions to live command and control (C2) systems used during training can create decision-making opportunities for distributed units to react to and act upon. The research conducted in this thesis assessed, developed, and implemented an appropriate LVC environment that can be used in training for tactical convoy operations in the Marine Corps. We developed a robust mesh network connected to a personal computer running a constructive simulation to create dynamic tracks on handheld, Android-based C2 systems. Using low-bandwidth radios to create the network, we were able to create a rich, tactically realistic training environment while minimally increasing the combat load of our Marines. The system we created has the same functionality of the blue force tracker (BFT). Because the BFT is no longer funded, we recommend the LVC solution we created for this thesis as a potential replacement with embedded training capabilities.Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite

SUPPORTING MISSION PLANNING WITH A PERSISTENT AUGMENTED ENVIRONMENT

Includes supplementary materialIncludes Supplementary MaterialThe Department of the Navy relies on current naval practices such as briefs, chat, and voice reports to provide an overall operational assessment of the fleet. That includes the cyber domain, or battlespace, depicting a single snapshot of a ship’s network equipment and service statuses. However, the information can be outdated and inaccurate, creating confusion among decision-makers in understanding the service and availability of equipment in the cyber domain. We examine the ability of a persistent augmented environment (PAE) and 3D visualization to support communications and cyber network operations, reporting, and resource management decision-making. We designed and developed a PAE prototype and tested the usability of its interface. Our study examined users’ comprehension of 3D visualization of the naval cyber battlespace onboard multiple ships and evaluated the PAE’s ability to assist in effective mission planning at the tactical level. The results are highly encouraging: the participants were able to complete their tasks successfully. They found the interface easy to understand and operate, and the prototype was characterized as a valuable alternative to their current practices. Our research provides close insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of the novel form of data representation and its capability to support faster and improved situational awareness and decision-making in a complex operational technology (OT) environment between diverse communities.Lieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

VIRTUAL REALITY GROUND FORCE COMMANDER TRAINER

The complexity of battlespace is guaranteed to increase over time. The problem arising is that with today’s innovative battlefield and the ever-connected environment, our junior officers are receiving more information, data, and feedback than ever before. With this increased amount of information at their fingertips, we expect them to process this information and make these real-world decisions faster and more precisely than before. Suppose we do not train our leaders to properly handle this information and prioritize tasks, and help them to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the multiple tasks they address. In that case, we run the risk of them becoming cognitively overloaded and making bad decisions based on poor judgment or emotions. These impulsive decisions highly increase the chance of mission failure. Today, we are expecting more out of our ground force commanders (GFCs) in their doctrinal skill set, decision making abilities under pressure, and cognitive performance; however, we are failing to adapt and advance our training at the same pace and level that we expect them to perform. If we cannot teach it, how can we expect our operators to perform at this new level in a new environment? The question: How can Special Operations Forces improve cognitive decision processing under stress and prepare GFCs for future conflicts? Our conclusion is that the adoption of advanced training and technology will help to keep SOF GFCs at the leading edge of combat proficiency.Lieutenant Junior Grade, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINER FOR TACTICAL VEHICLE GROUND-GUIDING PROCEDURES

The use of virtual reality (VR) technology in the training domain brings several benefits to the training force: compared to training in the real world, VR training reduces logistical support, it eliminates high-risk safety situations, and it enables scenarios not possible otherwise. This work determines the viability of using commercial off-the-shelf technology (COTS) to develop a prototype VR trainer in support of tactical vehicle ground-guiding procedures. A task analysis was conducted to identify all steps of the task in which an individual used hand and arm signals to communicate directions and position to another individual who operated a tactical vehicle. This work was used to define elements of human performance and system requirements, and to develop a multiuser VR training system. A total of eighteen subjects participated in a user study to evaluate usability of the system. The prototype system was able to fully immerse the subjects with visual, aural, and haptic displays, successfully blocking out influences from the real world to a sufficient extent that subjects believed they were in the virtual world and could perform ground-guiding operations. Given the subjects’ responses in the Standardized Usability Scale questionnaire, the system was seen as a viable tool for training of ground-guiding procedures. The results of this study demonstrated that it is feasible to use COTS technology and create a prototype system for training in ground-guiding and driving skills.http://archive.org/details/developmentofapr1094562303Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Digital Twin in Naval Environment

A naval vessel is usually engaged in demanding operations that take place in a multifaceted environment. This requires a solid design of the ship as a platform and a prompt decision-making response. To support both the design and operation phases, digital tools and techniques have been widely implemented, along with a significant number of sensors and probes installed onboard. All of these features pave the way for the development of a Digital Twin model, which will be beneficial for the naval sector. In this work, relevant applications and a use case have been presented and discussed, with the goal of highlighting the added value and critical issues in the perspective of gathering them in a Digital Twin environment. The steps required to develop a shared reference digital architecture have been identified, as well as the gaps that need to be filled

The Gamification Framework of Military Flight Simulator for Effective Learning and Training Environment

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a framework for the gamification of flight simulators to provide an active learning and training environment for military jet pilots. Currently, with the development of visual displays and computer processing capabilities, the modern simulator has made great progress in visual and auditory terms that is incomparable to the past. In addition, functions that were previously implemented through supercomputers and complex hardware devices are now available through desktop computers at an affordable cost. Despite these advances, the simulators so far are thought to have been negligent in building an active learning and training environment for users, focusing only on such things as sound and visual immersion and training requirements. On top of that, misbelief in the effectiveness of pilots\u27 flight simulators, old paradigms failing to keep up with computer technology, and lack of instructor manpower have not led to the progress of simulator training programs. Meanwhile, studies show that the gamified system, which has become an increasingly hot topic in business, health care, and education over the past decade, has made users more motivated and actively engaged in the use of specific platforms. And the resulting effect was also positive. This Research aimed: (1) to examine a research-based Gamification Framework to understand the concept of a gamified system, (2) to identify pilots\u27 flight training needs and motivations, (3) and finally to suggest evaluation tool with example. The Gamification Framework of Flight Simulator(GFFS) was designed on the basis of research and a survey conducted for Korean Air Force fighter pilots for detailed Gamified Flight Simulator(GFS) evaluation tool. GFFS was modified and applied from Kim\u27s gamification framework and the Octalysis framework was used to identify and compare pilots\u27 needs and motivation factors

INTEROPERABILITY FOR MODELING AND SIMULATION IN MARITIME EXTENDED FRAMEWORK

This thesis reports on the most relevant researches performed during the years of the Ph.D. at the Genova University and within the Simulation Team. The researches have been performed according to M&S well known recognized standards. The studies performed on interoperable simulation cover all the environments of the Extended Maritime Framework, namely Sea Surface, Underwater, Air, Coast & Land, Space and Cyber Space. The applications cover both the civil and defence domain. The aim is to demonstrate the potential of M&S applications for the Extended Maritime Framework, applied to innovative unmanned vehicles as well as to traditional assets, human personnel included. A variety of techniques and methodology have been fruitfully applied in the researches, ranging from interoperable simulation, discrete event simulation, stochastic simulation, artificial intelligence, decision support system and even human behaviour modelling