Multiresolution modeling and simulation of an air-ground combat application

The High Level Architecture (HLA) establishes a common modeling and simulation framework facilitating interoperability and reuse of simulation components. Since 1996, ONERA (French Aeronautics and Space Research Centre) carries out several studies on HLA in order to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of HLA implementations. The first critical step of this initiative was to develop our own RTI from the HLA specifications. In order to evaluate the cost of making a transition from legacy simulations to HLA, we first developed an HLA federation simulating an air-ground combat involving a set of aircraft's engaged against a surface to air defense system. Current studies on HLA distributed simulation include security, WAN simulations and multiresolution. Conventional simulations represent entities at just one single level of resolution. Multiresolution representation of entities consists in maintaining multiple and concurrent representations of entities. In this paper we address the problem of how HLA services may allow to achieve multiresolution modeling and simulation. Our goal is not to provide a general framework as a basis for designing simulations of entities at different levels of resolution concurrently. We focus on experience feedback we have obtained by migrating a single level resolution HLA federation to a multi-level resolution federation. The selected application is an air-ground combat simulation involving aggregated patrols of aircraft's engaged against a surface to air defense system. In this paper, we briefly describe the air-ground combat simulation application. We then detail the multiresolution representation of entities (patrols and aircraft's), and discuss the chosen mechanisms allowing triggering aggregation from an entity-level representation, and conversely, triggering disaggregation from an aggregate representation. We focus on the HLA services we have selected to maintain several levels of representation concurrently and on methodological issues in designing multiresolution HLA simulations. We have tackled some difficulties and we propose a new HLA service that should make easier the user's task. This multiresolution management service can be added to our RTI or written by using existing HLA services. Finally, future trends are discussed

Rule-based air combat simulation

An improved version of the Adaptive Maneuvering Logic (AML) program for air-combat maneuvering is discussed. The modifications and improvements incorporated into the AML program are documented

Live–virtual–constructive simulation for testing and evaluation of air combat tactics, techniques, and procedures, Part 2: demonstration of the framework

In this paper, the use of the live (L), virtual (V), and constructive (C) simulation framework introduced in Part 1 of this two-part study is demonstrated in the testing and evaluation of air combat tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). Each TTP consists of rules that describe how aircraft pilots coordinate their actions to achieve goals in air combat. In the demonstration, the initial rules are defined by subject matter experts (SMEs). These rules are refined iteratively in separate C-, V-, and L-simulation stages. In the C-stage, an operationally used C-simulation model is used to provide optimal rules with respect to the probabilities of survival (Ps) and kill (Pk) of aircraft without considering human–machine interaction (HMI). In the V-stage, fighter squadrons’ V-simulators and SMEs’ assessment are used to modify these rules by evaluating their applicability with Pk and Ps, as well as HMI measures regarding pilots’ situation awareness, mental workload, and TTP rule adherence. In the L-stage, qualified fighter pilots fly F/A-18C aircraft in a real-life environment. Based on SMEs’ assessment, the TTP rules refined in the C- and L-stages result in acceptable Pk, Ps, and HMI measures in the L-stage. As such, the demonstration highlights the utility of the LVC framework

Hierarchy-of-models Approach for Aggregated-Force Attrition

Proceedings of the 2000 Winter Simulation Conference J. A. Joines, R. R. Barton, K. Kang, and P. A. Fishwick, eds.This paper presents some innovations for overcoming shortcomings in the current state-of-the-art for the hierarchy-of-models approach to modeling aggregatedforce attrition in ground-combat models. The basic concept of such an approach for modeling large-scale system behavior is presented, together with the theoretical underpinnings for modeling attrition in large-scale ground combat. The output of an entity-level discrete-event combat simulation is fit to a Lanchester-type aggregatedreplay model. Use of a reliable statistical-estimation technique for determining model parameters is emphasized. The main innovation is to show how use of more detailed output data (e.g. line-of-sight (LOS) data) from the high-resolution simulation allows one to develop maximum-likelihood estimates. The methodology is applied to a current high-resolution DoD combat model, and a Lanchester-type aggregated-force replay model is developed

Proficiency-Based Cervical Cancer Brachytherapy Training: An Effort to Combat Recent Trends in Radiation Oncology That Result in Worse Outcomes for an Underserved Population through Resident Education

Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for women with cervical cancer with disease outside of the uterine cervix. To deliver the high doses needed for cure, brachytherapy (BT) is necessary to avoid toxicity to normal tissues (1). Technique is of utmost importance for outcomes of BT, but due to a lack of training during residency, the use of BT is declining nationwide (2, 3). The effectiveness of procedural simulation training, especially proficiency-based training, has been well established in other medical specialties, but there is no simulation training for cervical cancer brachytherapy used anywhere else in the country at this time (4-8). To combat this problem, we developed and implemented a structured proficiency-based BT simulation curriculum that will be able to be modified and replicated at training programs across the country and will be particularly practical for programs with less exposure to gynecologic brachytherapy. Residents who participated in the simulation training had measurable improvements in the time to perform the procedure, applicator placement quality and confidence, which translate to fewer complications and better tumor control for patients

Piloted simulation of one-on-one helicopter air combat at NOE flight levels

A piloted simulation designed to examine the effects of terrain proximity and control system design on helicopter performance during one-on-one air combat maneuvering (ACM) is discussed. The NASA Ames vertical motion simulator (VMS) and the computer generated imagery (CGI) systems were modified to allow two aircraft to be independently piloted on a single CGI data base. Engagements were begun with the blue aircraft already in a tail-chase position behind the red, and also with the two aircraft originating from positions unknown to each other. Maneuvering was very aggressive and safety requirements for minimum altitude, separation, and maximum bank angles typical of flight test were not used. Results indicate that the presence of terrain features adds an order of complexiaty to the task performed over clear air ACM and that mix of attitude and rate command-type stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) design may be desirable. The simulation system design, the flight paths flown, and the tactics used were compared favorably by the evaluation pilots to actual flight test experiments

Development of Low Cost Private Office Access Control System (OACS)

Over the years, access control systems have become more and more sophisticated and several security measures have been employed to combat the menace of insecurity of lives and property. This is done by preventing unauthorized entrance into buildings through entrance doors using conventional and electronic locks, discrete access code, and biometric methods such as the finger prints, thumb prints, the iris and facial recognition. We have designed a flexible and low cost modular system based on integration of keypad, magnetic lock and a controller. PIC 16F876A which is an 8-bit Microcontroller, is used here as a main controller. An advanced simulation based compiler Flowcode V4 is used to develop the software part in this project.Comment: ISSN: 1839-517

Study of a very low cost air combat maneuvering trainer aircraft

A very low cost aircraft for performing Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) training was studied using the BD-5J sport plane as a point of departure. The installation of a larger engine and increased fuel capacity were required to meet the performance and mission objectives. Reduced wing area increased the simulation of the ACM engagement, and a comparison with current tactical aircraft is presented. Other factors affecting the training transfer are considered analytically, but a flight evaluation is recommended to determine the concept utility

Advanced helicopter cockpit and control configurations for helicopter combat missions

Two piloted simulations were conducted by the U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate to evaluate workload and helicopter-handling qualities requirements for single pilot operation in a combat Nap-of-the-Earth environment. The single-pilot advanced cockpit engineering simulation (SPACES) investigations were performed on the NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator, using the Advanced Digital Optical Control System control laws and an advanced concepts glass cockpit. The first simulation (SPACES I) compared single pilot to dual crewmember operation for the same flight tasks to determine differences between dual and single ratings, and to discover which control laws enabled adequate single-pilot helicopter operation. The SPACES II simulation concentrated on single-pilot operations and use of control laws thought to be viable candidates for single pilot operations workload. Measures detected significant differences between single-pilot task segments. Control system configurations were task dependent, demonstrating a need for inflight reconfigurable control system to match the optimal control system with the required task