Live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) simulation technologies are well-established in the areas of technology demonstration, mission rehearsal, and exercises. A promising new role for LVC simulatio...

The Art and Science of Live, Virtual and Constructive Simulation for Test and Analysis

The history of simulation and combat modeling associated with the military, and with military actions, is as old as the human race. Since humans began competing for resources, those involved have used simulation techniques of some form to better understand conflict and increase their chances of procuring favorable outcomes in those conflicts. This paper provides a historical perspective on the use of simulation in defense particularly in United States military planning, analyses, and training. This perspective starts by describing the simple table-top, thought exercises and proceeds through the development of ever more sophisticated methods to arrive at the modern United States military simulation environment, which involves everything from laptop applications, through large-scale simulation models, to the advanced distributed simulation architectures currently in use for demonstrations, training, and analytical purposes.

A history of United States military simulation

Influence of high-repetition-rate noise on a range-gated laser ranging and tracking system (LRTS) is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The interference mechanism of high-repetition-rate noise on range gates is revealed. The interference effect, especially the effect caused by relative shift between signal and noise, is presented through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. In order to verify the simulation model, both electrical closed circuit and optical circuit experiments are further conducted. Both the simulation model and experiment results show that both periodic and nonperiodic noise pulses can enter the range gates of a LRTS and affect its operation with both their high repetition rate and relative shift to echo pulses.

Interference effect from noise on range-gated laser ranging and tracking system.

The c haracteristics and objectives of development tests in distribut ed live, virtual, and constructive joint environments favor fractional factorial split -plot experimental designs . Development tes ts conducted in joint environments are key components of the Department of Defense transformational planning initiative to test as we fight . Joint operations have become the mainstay of war fighting. But t he only practical way to assemble joint environment s for testing is to link various live entities , virtual operator - or hardware -in -the loop simulations , and constructive simulat ion s ( simulated people operating simulated systems )-- all located at many geographically -dispersed test facilities . Such distributed tests are expensive and difficult to execute, resulting in many practical limitations that restrict the ability to completel y randomize trials. Objective s of development tests in joint environments include evaluating design alternative s based on joint mission effectiveness and assessing the robustness of design alternatives to uncontrollable sources of variation . These objecti ves and restrictions lead to fractional factorial designs with split plot components. This paper explains some basics of fractional factorial split plot designs and shows how to use the concept of partial design resolution to produce better designs based o n specific test objectives. An example using air -launched data link weapon s is used to illustrate design considerations and analysis concepts.

Frank Gray

Papers

Experimental Design s for Development Tests in Distributed Joint Environment s