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A Lightweight, Flexible, Scalable Approach to Trainer Systems
Navy SBIR 2011.1 - Topic N111-050
NAVSEA - Mr. Dean Putnam - [email protected]
Opens: December 13, 2010 - Closes: January 12, 2011

N111-050 TITLE: A Lightweight, Flexible, Scalable Approach to Trainer Systems

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) 5E - USW/DSS

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative approach for flexible and scalable training systems.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy helicopter sensor systems are a critical part of the remote sensor systems for the ships they support. With the introduction of the MH-60R helicopter to the Aircraft Carrier Tactical Support Center (CV-TSC), the challenge of interpreting the multiple heterogeneous sensor streams of remotely linked data is especially challenging. Training is essential to the operator�s ultimate efficacy. This trainer could be applied to the helicopter interface and also to the undersea domain by integrating it with the Submarine Multi-Mission Team Trainer.

Traditional training systems suffer severe scaling limitations, as they grow to address a multiplicity of simulated targets, simulated environments and simulated sensors. Attempts to federate moderate-scale simulators to solve the scaling problem have met with limited success, despite extensive investment.

An innovative approach is needed to tackle the scaling problem, which leverages modern track management infrastructures. An approach should be developed that decouples the scenario control of simulated targets, ships and other assets from the specific sensor simulation, while maintaining coherency. The level of success in meeting this goal will be demonstrated by the ability to add an additional sensor with a minimum amount of complexity and cross-domain coupling.

PHASE I: Propose a platform-independent model (i.e. focus on content) of the data to be exchanged using modern track management services. Develop a set of realistic use cases involving multiple scenario tier elements and sensor tier elements. Develop an architecture description for the simulation system. Assess how this approach minimizes complexity and cross-domain coupling associated with updated/new sensors and sensor capabilities

PHASE II: Develop a prototype and associated prototype documentation demonstrating the architecture will support generating the required synthetic data. The prototype should use at least two scenario control elements and at least two sensor simulation elements.

PHASE III: Provide a production implementation of the scalable MH-60R trainer for the Carrier CV-TSC and associated documentation

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This type of approach can be applied to simulations systems involving major systems with multiple sensors such as Commercial Aircraft Controller training and USCG Vessel Traffic Services training.

REFERENCES:
1. IEEE 1516 Standard for Modeling and Simulation High Level Architecture

2. STANAG 4603 Modeling and Simulation Architecture Standards for Technical Interoperability

3. Creating Computer Simulation Systems: An Introduction to the High Level Architecture, Frederick Kuhl, Richard Weatherly, Judith Dahmann

KEYWORDS: Training; Track Management; Personnel Performance

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **
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