interoperability 2.0: the simulation and training tipping

Simulation and training 2015 eBook

Interoperability 2.0: The simulation and training tipping point.

Introduction to interoperability.The purpose of this eBook is to raise awareness across the aerospace and defense industry about emerging trends that will impact how we collectively train interrelated personnel to successfully achieve their missions together. These personnel include aircrews, maintenance workers, warfighters, ground vehicle operators and air traffic controllers.

This eBook will also share ideas on successfully implementing these trends in interoperable simulation and training, providing financial and operational benefits to both industry and coalition military organizations.

In 2012, Rockwell Collins released its popular eBook: Simulation and Training – a high-realism look ahead, in which industry leaders examined seven rapidly emerging trends in the simulation and training industry, including:

1. Increasing use of extremely complex immersive environments

2. Next-generation air traffic management dramatically changing human factors

3. Reduced military budgets driving need for more simulation training

4. Growing adoption of gaming technologies

5. Increasing demand for mobile tablet and smartphone training

6. Growth in emerging international markets driving industry collaboration and alliance

7. Increasing need for high-fidelity simulation outside of the traditional aviation market segments


http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Home/Landing/eBook-Simulation-Training.aspx

http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Home/Landing/eBook-Simulation-Training.aspx

The tipping point is coming.

Rockwell Collins’ involvement in so many facets of the high-end simulation and training environments has clearly shown that the industry is poised for a major change in how training is done. Greater interoperability is becoming a critical factor in driving that change. It is the key to accelerating the adoption of new simulation and training capabilities.

A short history of interoperability.

For the last 35 years, military trainers have invested considerable physical and fiscal resources in technologies to help make independently developed and geographically distributed simulation systems work cohesively to create a “synthetic training environment.”

The concept really began to take shape in 1983, when the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Procurement Agency (DARPA) initiated its simulator networking (SIMNET) project. The idea was to develop a large-scale, interactive, true synthetic training environment that could be accessed by any authorized combatant anywhere in the world using a fixed “simulator” as a portal device.

This end goal became known as interoperability. And it has proven to be much easier to define than to achieve.

Yes, there has been great technological progress toward making the capability a functional reality. But the rapid expansion of the graphical capabilities found in independent simulation systems has outstripped technology’s capability to re-create accurate simulations that are simultaneously valuable to all users.

One of the biggest remaining challenges is the fact that every simulation training session is made up of so many different components. Each time models, simulations and associated data are used together (e.g., in a distributed simulation environment, synthetic environment or as a federation of simulation) you are likely to run into interface or format compatibility issues. The interfaces and architectures used to connect models, simulations and associated data together – or to connect them with operational systems and training systems – are often disparate.

Making models, simulations and associated data interoperable is not an easy task. The U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps), international defense organizations and simulation system providers around the world are all working toward achieving standardization of their specific capabilities.


The Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Glossary defines interoperability as: The ability of a model or simulation to provide services to and accept services from other models and simulations, and to use these exchanged services to operate effectively together.

Nick Gibbs

Senior director of products

Simulation & Training Solutions

Rockwell Collins

http://youtu.be/1xobgu6dIvU

Interoperability 2.0: The tipping point.To meet the rapidly changing needs of military organizations around the world, the simulation industry must find a way to enable coalition forces to “train the way they fight.” The goal of Rockwell Collins and other industry leaders is to provide interoperability at such high levels that warfighters on the ground, in the air and aboard vehicles can all train simultaneously, no matter where they are.


We are now at the technological tipping point, where customer needs and interoperability are converging, driving rapid adoption of emerging simulation and training trends and capabilities, such as:

Visual interoperability

Greater need for flexibility, openness and reuse of data and systems in synthetic environments to enhance the simulation experience

Distributed Mission Training and Live Virtual Constructive training

Driven by changing battlespace operations and increasing demand for collaboration

Live vs. virtual

Understanding and achieving the right balance of live, virtual and constructive training through research and demonstrations

Virtual war games

Increasing use of game technologies for lower-cost, highly mobile, interoperable simulation and training for ground-based missions


Emerging trends.

Trend 1:

Visual interoperability


Enabling both fixed and mobile multi-user training is nothing new. Rockwell Collins and others in the industry have achieved this using simulators located all over the world, and they can network simultaneously to create a single combat rehearsal. One challenge, however, is in producing a current, accurate and highly realistic synthetic environment in which to train.

While there are many benefits to an interoperable simulation network, one of its biggest benefits is enabling high-definition, scenario-based training that can be quickly tailored to meet a specific situation.

Picture this: a squad of Marines aboard a V-22 en route to a secret destination. Squad members are now able to practice a variety of aspects of the mission, each on a personal tablet. Other virtual aircraft are providing aerial support to ground troops, training on how to fly in fast and low, drop a rope and get out of harm’s way. Knowing the location of every window, wall and obstruction could mean the difference between life and death. Everyone in this scenario is networked together and engaging in real time.

To make all of this happen, data formats and interfaces have to interoperate in order to produce a highly accurate, interactive and realistic synthetic environment.

With the budget pressures military organizations around the world are facing, the thousands of hours it takes to build a synthetic database are no longer viable. Furthermore, new-generation synthetic environments need to be hardware agnostic.

Customers are demanding more from these environments:

> Longer life cycles

> Full interoperability

> Easy updateability for reuse with other systems

Government organizations will no longer accept scrapping an entire synthetic environment when they want to move to a new system. Tools that enable interfacing with multiple data, software and hardware to produce cost-effective current, realistic simulation are needed today and will prevail in the market.

If you think of the simulation environment today, it comprises different puzzle pieces that have to fit together and talk to each other. One of the simulations may be created to show terrain, landmarks and obstacles from a pilot’s point of view, while another may be set up to simulate roads and buildings from a vehicular point of view. All that information then has to be collected and sent back to a single system to compile and generate the scene for users.

The challenge is to put all those pieces together and be able to share the information between everyone involved in the mission, regardless of his or her location, system hardware or software.

Rockwell Collins’ role: To address the challenge of synthetic environment interoperability, Rockwell Collins is developing a host of technologies and methodologies that will enable customers to reuse their current synthetic environments in whatever format they are in as they upgrade to newer hardware or share their databases with other operators using different platforms.

With internal investment, Rockwell Collins has already proven the ability to interoperate across databases, formats and platforms.

Emerging trends.

Trend 2:

Distributed Mission Training and Live Virtual Constructive training


Photo courtesy ofTom Schnell, Ph.D.University of Iowa

Distributed Mission Training (DMT) and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training capabilities exemplify a level of complete technological connectivity in which soldiers, pilots, sailors and/or marines from around the world train together in one simulation environment with a level field of play.

For example, pilots would be able to fly real aircraft in a virtual environment without leaving their home base, and their experience would closely approximate that of flying in another part of the world. This is a transportable form of training allowing for the ability to train prior to deployment and on the way to war, without having to remain in a single location.

Due to the realistic capabilities of the simulation and training technologies available today, LVC offers the interoperable warfare environment that is characteristic of live operations. LVC systems require interoperable, open system architectures in order to connect with multiple networks to create an environment with realistic weapons and command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Interoperability: Tailor-made for enabling special operations mission training and A2/AD.

Today’s irregular battlespace is creating training challenges that prior-generation military leaders never had to face. And that means that whether it’s on the battlefield or in the training environment, real-time, uninterrupted communication between all involved warfighters is more critical today than ever. With the emergence of in-and-out mission fighting, troops are no longer stationed on the ground in a conflict area for extended periods of time. Therefore, their training scenarios have to adapt, including updating simulations faster and more cost effectively.

As our industry becomes more networked, we have to determine how to protect our information.

Unfortunately, our enemies have latched onto this reliance and are continually developing ways to deny our warfighters access to the vital links through cyber attacks. There is a Department of Defense strategic shift toward the use of Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) communications in scenarios that take place in contested environments.

With the increase in A2/AD operations, there is a corresponding need for more interoperable simulation and training in this domain. To practice in these environments, ultimate connectivity is essential and the options are endless.

Rockwell Collins’ role: Among many others in the simulation industry and military, Rockwell Collins is driving demonstrations of LVC training to help bring this capability to market to address the need for more collaboration in networked environments. Our advantage is that we can bring subsystems and simulation all based on our CORE™ simulation architecture and delivered through our high bandwidth data links to facilitate interoperable, networked, low-cost, real-time, concurrent LVC. Ultimately, this offers military trainers and trainees a highly realistic, collaborative training environment.

In addition, with our experience in GPS-denied communications and control of both manned and unmanned aircraft, as well as vehicle and soldier systems, Rockwell Collins has an advantage in A2/AD scenario training. Now, with our recent acquisition of ARINC, we are in an even better position to develop and deliver complex life-cycle solutions for traditional and irregular battlespace environments, including in-and-out missions and A2/AD simulations. Simply put, we’re bringing the right solutions to train in the new battlespace environment.


Nick Scarnato

Director of marketing


Rockwell Collins

http://youtu.be/Fk1TBfqVu28

Emerging trends.

Trend 3:

Live vs. virtual – achieving the right balance


There are many theories about what is the right balance between live vs. virtual training in order to achieve safe and efficient mission success.

The ability to measure the effectiveness of training is crucial to answering what is the right balance between live vs. virtual methods. Mechanisms to measure a pilot’s biometric feedback during training can provide immense amounts of information and direction for future training capabilities.

The technology to test a pilot’s emotional and physiological reactions while flying in a simulator would create an opportunity for engineers to determine what needs to be advanced to create a more realistic battlespace environment. Beyond that, a connection between the biometric feedback and the training system in order to maximize the training scenario could create the most effective system.

It’s possible during flight simulation for a trainee to memorize a pattern to pass training, instead of actually learning in the moment how to react to different variables in the simulation. With the testing and measuring of the trainee’s biometrics, we can judge the effectiveness of training. What is happening in the

bodies of participants in training? Do they react as if they are actually in danger in that particular moment? Are they effectively learning how to react with the presence of adrenaline? These are the questions that need to be answered.

Rockwell Collins’ role: Rockwell Collins, along with simulation and training industry and defense organizations, continues to assess the balance between live and virtual training. Concept programs, research and live scenario data are needed to prove the most effective balance.

LeAnn Ridgeway

Vice president and general manager


Rockwell Collins

http://youtu.be/r1UEtVeYvvc

Emerging trends.

Trend 4:

Enabling virtual war games


Every day, tens of thousands of virtually located civilian “gamers” log onto the Internet and conduct networked battles. They do it with gaming systems that cost a fraction of what military trainers are paying.

So, the question is: Why can’t the military achieve the same levels of connectivity and integration?

New-generation game engines are enabling training capabilities that can transform how a warfighter prepares for battle. They are low-cost, highly portable and have the potential to be extremely effective in enabling joint mission training to multiple warfighters across the globe.

While game technologies can offer affordable solutions for training in the future, there are some near-term limitations.

Current game graphical technologies struggle mightily when it comes to simulations that require the rendering of large environments. Aircraft and helicopter simulations, for instance, must depict hundreds or even thousands of square kilometers.

The problem is, current game technologies cannot do it all in today’s multi-platform, multi-force mission training scenarios. For example, a pilot flying a training mission to support ground forces will need a simulator that delivers the expansive graphics and high speeds the pilot will see in the air, while the soldier driving a truck below requires a totally different set of frame references. In short, one is moving extremely fast across great distances, while the other is moving very slowly.

In addition, simulation data must be formatted to be compatible with the various types of hardware used by coalition forces. Game producers have typically only used proprietary software and hardware, which does not facilitate interoperability. You can’t play one company’s game on another company’s hardware.

With increasing customer requirements for interoperability, technology trends like games simulation will be more rapidly adopted in the industry.

Rockwell Collins’ role: Rockwell Collins and the simulation and training industry are working to answer the question of how we incorporate the small worlds of games simulation into realistic, large environments, while continuing to communicate the importance of open systems for global networked training environments.


Future state: What will the next five years mean to the industry?

Simulation and training industry leaders are well aware of the coming trends and how to leverage interoperability to begin to adopt these trends. Watch some industry experts share their views of the future of the industry in this video.

Rockwell Collins and other industry participants, along with government, are actively researching, developing and bringing to market some exciting technologies that will fuel simulation and training.

Cloud-based computing


The future of simulation and training

Industry thought leaders

Speech recognition in training

Wearable training systems

http://www.youtube.com/v/53TQAv_yOWc?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0

Four steps to achieving greater interoperability.

Step 1: Develop standards and industry consensus.Standardization – across all formats – is the key to preparing and presenting effective training. You don’t want to spend time and money training the participant how to operate the simulation system.

A number of organizations are leading standardization efforts for training simulation, including: the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization; the National Training and Simulation Association; and the European Training and Simulation Association.

Several examples of standards, protocols, languages and practices are being evaluated and tested to enhance standards for interoperability in simulation systems:

> WebLVC, which enables passing simulation data between web-based client applications and a WebLVC server

> Common Image Generator Interface, which provides interoperability in networking environments

> Layer Simulation Architecture, which enables interoperability in networking environments

Rockwell Collins’ role: Rockwell Collins participates in many simulation and training industry standards committees.

Step 2: Require open systems in new programs.

Another key to enabling true interoperability is to require that database and hardware developers use open, non-proprietary architectures. This will not only ensure the seamless progression of simulation capabilities across platforms, it will also help customers save time and money.

Rockwell Collins’ role: Rockwell Collins has long been on the forefront of developing and deploying open system architecture solutions. For example, our CORE simulation architecture is a modular, scalable and open architecture that provides a complete development, integration and test environment for aircraft, avionics and training systems.

Step 3: Ensure that information is secure.

The increasing use and reliance on network-based training is critical to today’s warfighter. But, it also presents greater

opportunities for cyber attacks on these systems and the confidential data they carry.

Rockwell Collins’ role: Rockwell Collins’ information assurance capabilities have proven to protect critical data from threats across domains, countries or platforms.

Step 4: Require interoperability in future technologies.Next-generation simulation system providers and the military must endeavor to make interoperability a primary capability. It is critical that all systems provide these capabilities if we are to achieve the high level of training and simulation needed to fulfill the requirements of tomorrow’s warfighters.

Rockwell Collins’ role: Rockwell Collins is committed to continue bringing innovations to the simulation and training markets that will provide seamless interoperability, including:

> Cloud-based systems for networking and cross-domain/multinational training

> One-world databases, including “human terrain” databases illustrating political, social and economic climates

> Future holistic training environments > Speech recognition to increase the accuracy and speed of

training on subsystems such as flight decks > Touch-sensitive display technologies so trainees can simply

reach out and virtually “grab” objects they need to manipulate > Advanced night-vision helmet-mounted displays for operations and

training applications as well as other wearable training systems

The highly technical, cross-border, cross-domain world is placing new demands on simulation and training systems for both aerospace and defense. As a result, these systems are on the cusp of a major shift, with interoperability playing a critical role. Rockwell Collins and others in the simulation and training industry are leveraging exciting new capabilities to increase mission readiness and safety while minimizing costs.

Challenges abound in making so many disparate elements work together. But the benefits are enormous – particularly in applications where lives will depend on the realism a training simulation can achieve. It’s enough to make anyone’s pulse quicken.

Building trust every day.

Rockwell Collins delivers smart communication and aviation electronic solutions to customers worldwide. Backed by a global network of service and support, we stand committed to putting technology and practical innovation to work for you whenever and wherever you need us. In this way, working together, we build trust. Every day.

To learn more about these emerging trends and Rockwell Collins’ role in facilitating interoperability in simulation and training, contact:

Nick ScarnatoDirector of marketing, Simulation & Training SolutionsRockwell Collins+1.607.352.1116email: [email protected]

147-1614-000 11/14 © 2014 Rockwell Collins. All rights reserved.

interoperability 2.0: the simulation and training tipping

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