Modeling and Simulation Training - VisionScape Logoncontrol.visionscape.com.au/siteFiles/hunterdefencecomau/DataForm... · TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose ... Internal and DMO Training

PLEXSYS proprietary rights are included in the information disclosed herein. Recipient by accepting this document agrees that neither this document nor the information disclosed herein nor any part thereof shall be reproduced or transferred to other documents or used or disclosed to others for any other purpose except as specifically authorized in writing by PLEXSYS.

Modeling and

Simulation Training ASCOT | PLEXComm | sonomarc

A d v a n c e d S i m u l a t i o n C o m b a t O p e r a t i o n s T r a i n e r

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ PLEXSYS proprietary rights are included in the information disclosed herein. Recipient by accepting this document agrees that neither this document nor the information disclosed herein nor any part thereof shall be reproduced or transferred to other documents or used or disclosed to others for any other purpose except as specifically authorized in writing by PLEXSYS.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 3

1 ASCOT ................................................................................................................................. 3

Overview ..................................................................................................................... 3

Internal and DMO Training ......................................................................................... 3

Interoperability and Configuration ............................................................................. 3

Ease of Use in Training ................................................................................................ 4

Scenario Creation ........................................................................................................ 4

Scenario Realism ......................................................................................................... 5

Entity Management .................................................................................................... 6

Automated Features ................................................................................................... 6

Electronic Attack ......................................................................................................... 7

Flexibility ..................................................................................................................... 7

System Performance ................................................................................................... 7

Maps and Visual Displays ............................................................................................ 7

Data Link ..................................................................................................................... 9

Common RADAR Application (CRA) .......................................................................... 10

2 Communications Simulation ........................................................................................... 11

3 Competitor Comparison .................................................................................................. 12

4 Additional Information .................................................................................................... 12

Test Certifications ..................................................................................................... 12

APPENDIX A – ACRONYMS .................................................................................................... 13

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: ................................................................................................................................... 4

Figure 2: ................................................................................................................................. 4

Figure 3: ................................................................................................................................. 5

Figure 4: ................................................................................................................................. 5

Figure 5: ................................................................................................................................. 8

Figure 6: ................................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 7: ................................................................................................................................... 9

Figure 8: ................................................................................................................................. 10


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PURPOSE This white paper provides a description of the features and benefits of the PLEXSYS developed modeling

and simulation training solutions through the use of the Advanced Simulation Combat Operations

Trainer (ASCOT) and PLEXSYS Communication (PLEXComm and sonomarc) products. This proposal

highlights the unique capability of these PLEXSYS solutions to enhance a customer’s ability to replicate

any contingency by providing a “near-real world” training environment.

1 ASCOT

OVERVIEW The Advanced Simulation Combat Operations

Trainer (ASCOT) is a high fidelity simulation

system that is used to create the environment

necessary to facilitate training for today’s

modern simulators. It is the backbone of the

U.S. AWACS Mission Training Centers and

multiple other simulation systems used both in

military and civilian applications. The system is

scalable and can be networked together in a

single site configuration of multiple ASCOTs or

through multiple sites world-wide. ASCOT

provides radar modeling, scenario creation,

exercise generation, data-link messaging

capability, data link translation, and dynamic

simulation entity play. The ASCOT Instructor

Operator Station (IOS) provides the instructor

full control of each entity’s weapons, sensor, IFF

and data link.

INTERNAL AND DMO TRAINING For internal training, ASCOT allows weapons,

surveillance and data link operators to train in

small team, full mission crews or individually. In

a netted exercise, ASCOT provides scenario

management through a server/client

configuration, allowing for centralized control

of large force exercises. Multiple ATOs/ACOs

can be converted, merged and time

synchronized to be played out as a single

exercise, or individual tracks/formations can be

driven by one or more operators facilitating any

configuration of training. ASCOT operates on

multiple military networks including the CAF

DMON, ARCNet and JTEN, allowing for

participation in numerous DMO and joint

training events.

INTEROPERABILITY AND CONFIGURATION The ASCOT supports both DIS (Version 7, to

include backwards compatible with versions 4,

5 and 6) and HLA 1.3 (MAK/NG Pro/Pitch RTIs)

to interact with other simulation platforms. It is

capable of directly interfacing with an array of

operational equipment including off-the-shelf

radar trackers and Data-Link gateways. ASCOT

produces a realistic Radar/IFF picture on an

operational display, supports multi-level

security networks, and is run-time configurable

for most DIS/HLA simulation management

parametrics.


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EASE OF USE IN TRAINING ASCOT is an extremely intuitive tool for scenario

creation and dynamic simulation driving. It

enables any driver regardless of experience,

“ease of use”, ensuring realistic and meaningful

scenario creation and entity management,

facilitating the ability to replicate a real world

environment. Help screens for commands,

easily assessable features, data entry fields and

a mission script player for queuing of voice calls

from any simulated platform or agency are

available. Training an ASCOT user to run

intercepts can be accomplished in under one

hour and within just a few days; operators can

develop complicated large-force exercises, and

be proficient with these features:

Database Development

Scenario Creation

Scenario Execution

Data-Link Simulation

Communications Simulation

Features that exemplify the ease of use are the

ability to create and manipulate entities after

exercise start in ASCOT Tabular Display (TD) or

drive the entity from ASCOT Map. Entity

characteristics can be changed through the

command area in ASCOT Tabular Display, with

the keyboard or on ASCOT Map by using

modern GUIs and mouse clicks. Track options

allow the operator to change color of track IDs

and data link, vector stick lengths, entity size

(S/M/L), and entity data block information. By

selecting an entity on ASCOT Map, engagement

rings of any emitting entity can be turned

on/off and weapons can be employed

automatically allowing the operator to make

timely/realistic inputs into the simulation

environment. The “moving map” feature in

ASCOT Map enables the driver to keep

situational awareness of a specific entity by

maintaining the selected track in the center of

the map display until disabled. Any driver can

easily view ASCOT Map in 3D or the “God’s-eye-

view” quickly enhancing awareness of the 21st

century synthetic battlespace ASCOT produces.

Figure 1: ASCOT TD: Provides current data on all scenario entities and is one of two places to manipulate entity; heading, alt, speed, weapons, Link and other entity information

Figure 2: ASCOT Map: Gives “God’s eye” or 3D view of the battle space; track manipulation via entity command; and operator viewing of entity radar parameters, engagement lines and missile fly-out

SCENARIO CREATION Scenario creation and management are

facilitated through the use of ATO Exercise


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Generation (ATOXGEN), PLEXComm Scripted

Voice Player (SVP), ASCOT Editor (ED) and

ASCOT Map, allowing scenarios to be created

through the use of USMTF or ADAP formatted

ATO/ACO or dynamically through operator

input. ASCOT ED is utilized for creating and

merging scenario files quickly, along with Data-

Link participant and message scripting to

provide training for the entire mission crew.

ASCOT ED also has the capability to play out the

scenario in advance at real-time or accelerated

speeds providing operators an overview of the

mission.

Figure 3: ASCOT Editor: Provides a time sequenced view of an entities scripted commands, several examples include; heading, speed, alt, CAP location, TPAs, refueling location and Link messages

Figure 4: ATOXGEN: Allows general information of each entity to be viewed in the upper portion and in the lower portion a detailed view of each entities mission specific data

ASCOT ED allows operators to create, alter or

script entities with minimal training, partially

due to ASCOT utilizing “pull down menus” and

“right click features” similar to Windows. Editor

can sort commands according to time, copy and

paste entities and commands by right clicking

the mouse and selecting “copy entity or copy

command” and then paste the entity or

command information into the Command List

Area. Entities can be scripted to pre-determined

CAPs, anchors, routes and targets or a

combination of these with little effort, providing

the driver flexibility of having entities pre-

scripted to operate in subsequent places,

freeing the driver from normal simulation

intensive duties having to drive each entity

from point to point.

SCENARIO REALISM Real world performance anomaly capabilities

can be controlled by the user. Capabilities

include loss of IFF, weather, clutter and terrain

masking of radar using terrain following

capabilities. Up to DTED level two is used to

clamp ground entities to terrain and prevent

radar detection of aircraft behind mountains.

Further, the ASCOT provides users a flexible

capability to control all entity types and create

various formations (example: 2 contacts line

abreast or an 8 group ladder) and at any time

“transfer control” of an entity to a pilot in a

simulator allowing the pilot to fly the entity and

when they’re done flying their portion of the

mission transfer control back to ASCOT for RTB

or further scenario use. All these functionalities

allow a driver to create and manipulate ground

tracks as well, such as pre-scripted and/or

dynamically driven convoy operations.


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ENTITY MANAGEMENT Any pre-programmed track can be converted

and driven dynamically. Entities include; air,

ground, surface, sub-surface, life forms and

cultural features, which can be used to simulate

almost any type of real-world operation. One or

more tracks can be “strapped” to a lead entity

and driven via the lead entity only or separately

when needed. Formations can be created and

entities can be repositioned anywhere in the

scenario within seconds. During refueling

scenarios operator-definable orbits and anchors

can be created and fuel states update

automatically when aircraft refuel. CAP and CP

locations can be created dynamically and re-

used. Entity emitters and IFF can be

manipulated and fire control window displays

can be viewed displaying remaining weapons

load-out and a list of radar contacts in the

entities emitter.

AUTOMATED FEATURES Automated RTB, take-off / landing profiles

to/from airbases are used to simulate airbase

activities. Engaging and firing on opposing

forces is facilitated through either automatic or

manual modes. Tallying of all entity kills,

damage and misses is automatically kept track

of within the system. The Smart Entity feature

uses an ROE-based decision matrix to decide to

engage an enemy or not. When the decision is

made to engage, the entity will fire weapons

automatically. Temporary Flight Restriction

areas (TFRs) can be created to simulate FAA

“no-fly zones” and aircraft will automatically

clear and avoid the area, all takeoff and

landings are suspended while the TFR is active.

Auto FDL will allow an entity to utilize

“intelligent entity behavior” to make decisions

when receiving various FDL orders in

determining whether the entity can carry the

order out and “WILCO” the order or “CANTCO”

the order.

PLEXSYS has made significant advancements in

the area of ground environment automation.

Integrated Air Defenses or IADS features allow

the ability to create a network that contains

early warning radar sites and SAM sites

consisting of an Integrated Command and

Control (ICC) element and the fire support units

(FSU). These units work together to track and

engage threats automatically while generating

the appropriate Data-Link messages when

designated a friendly Participating Unit. Off

road movement for ground entities uses terrain

data to affect entity movement with the entity

becoming aware of water and prompting the

user to continue or not. If a road route crosses a

body of water, then it is inferred that there is a

bridge for the entities to cross. The entity will

also use terrain to slow down or speed up when

going up and down hills/mountains. The

Mount/Dismount feature enables ASCOT life

forms to “mount” or climb into vehicles and

“dismount” or climb out of vehicles. The

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) feature

allows the user to place IEDs within the “play

area” and detonate them based on time or on

command (detonation can also occur due to

enemy proximity).

Side Affiliation is another automated feature

that assists in scenario execution of a large

force exercise. This feature allows the user to

apply rules to groups of entities that will

employ ROE-based decision making to decide to

engage another group. Groups A can have a

friendly relationship with group B, a neutral

relationship with group C and a hostile

relationship with group D. SIDES can be defined

in any manner regardless of DIS IDs. Postures


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can then be set creating conditions between

sides overriding limitations based on DIS

relationships (this side is friend with that side

but hostile to that other side). Along with

hostile postures, you can set an auto-fire

condition to initiate an engagement between

two entities set to appropriate sides. An

example would be to have two DIS friendly

ground units engage one another via auto-fire,

simply by putting one on an opposite side to the

other and setting their postures to "enemy" and

auto-fire "on."

The PLEXCOMM Scripted Voice Player (SVP)

integrates with ASCOT and provides the ability

to pre-record specific radio calls to be played

back automatically at a specified time, or

manually during a scenario. The radio

transmission can be a one-time call, repeated,

or looped as many times as needed. SVP allows

the user to create, review and script an

unlimited number of playback radio events

prior to an exercise for use. This would allow

the scenario planner to include pre-scripted

calls from any entity necessary at any time. SVP

supports IEEE standards for simulation of radios

to include radio encoding, simulated secure

crypto and simulated Have Quick transmissions.

This is another of many features PLEXSYS offers

its customers that reduces time and effort

required during a demanding exercise, and

allows the user to focus on other exercise

responsibilities, while reducing white force

assets required for exercise support.

ELECTRONIC ATTACK ASCOT has a robust Electronic Attack (EA)

simulation capability that provides realism for

scenario planners. This capability can be

scripted for automatic execution or

accomplished dynamically as the scenario

unfolds. EA feature include Radar Jamming, GPS

Jamming and Link-16 Jamming. These feature

use common simulation protocol messaging

allowing ASCOT to stimulate other protocol

compliant systems.

FLEXIBILITY Flexibility is the key to any entity generator and

the ASCOT exemplifies “flexibility”. Database

driven applications allow greater flexibility and

autonomy for operators and the system can be

deployed to any location and only requires

110/240 VAC 50/60 Hz power to operate.

Ultimately, there is also no limit to the number

of ASCOT stations within a LAN or WAN and

entity display block and track block data can be

customized to suit each operator in the ASCOT

tabular display.

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE Over 35,000 smart entities per exercise can be

generated by ASCOT, providing a robust

capability to any training environment. ASCOT

can simultaneously generate high fidelity air,

surface, ground, or subsurface entities using a

3.0 GHz Intel Xeon; faster CPU speeds enable

even more entities to be generated. ASCOT is

compatible with all versions of Windows from

2000 to Windows 7.

MAPS AND VISUAL DISPLAYS ASCOT utilizes CADRG Maps for real-world

visual references within any theater including:

GNC/JNC/ONC/TPC/JOG/TLM 100/TLM

50/CIB1/CIB 10/CIB 5/FIF/VMap. ASCOT Map

displays terrain images from aerial

photography, satellites, or it can use any image

or graphic as background including the ability to

load and display any number of DAFIF data map

layers. Situational displays can be tailored for

viewing both truth and data-link pictures


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including a 3D visual display of both detection

and engagement cones and being able to view

engagement lines and weapons fly-out. ASCOT

Map can be quickly offset to any part of the

world, allowing for rapid adjustment of the play

area. Entity movement from ASCOT Map is

made easy through pull down menus and right

clicks options such as take over, fire weapons,

heading/altitude/speed changes, reposition and

sending entities to scenario points such as CAPs,

Orbits and Targets.

Figure 5: ASCOT Map using Global Navigation Chart (GNC) map

Figure 6: ASCOT Map using Operational Navigation Chart (ONC) map


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DATA LINK ASCOT Data link features provide the ability to

generate and receive Link-16 (Mil Std 6016D or

STANAG 5516), and Link 11A (Mil Std 6011 or

STANAG 5511) on a DIS/HLA network, generate

and receive fighter data link for link capable

fighter aircraft, and link messages can be

scripted or generated dynamically to include C2

and non-C2 link capable participants. TPAs

automatically generate a link picture for the

battlespace and link messages can be sent on

behalf of any DIS/HLA entity in the scenario –

the entity does not need to be an ASCOT entity.

Mission assignments from a Command and

Control (C2) participant can be sent to any Link

capable entity providing scenario realism. In

addition, the Direct Link Interface (DLI) enables

data link messaging across multiple data link

protocols such as JREAP, 1553 and

SIMPLE. This capability bridges the gap between

various data link platforms allowing for

interoperability during training events. Users

utilize ASCOTs intuitive data link capability to

emulate any data link capable platform on the

ground or airborne, and interface with “Real

World” tactical systems through the use of DLI.

This capability provides a bridge from

simulation to the live environment (LVC

Operations).

Joint Range Extension (JRE) receives Data-Link from ASCOT, correlates

it with other Data-Link sources and forwards to Tactical Display

Framework (TDF)

Tactical Display Framework (TDF) displays incoming Data-Link

messages for 2-way operator interactionASCOT using DLI to translate DIS Link-16 to JREAP-C for a Joint

Range Extension )JRE) correlation device.

Figure 7: ASCOT’s ability to interface Link-16 with Tactical Data-Link Devices


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COMMON RADAR APPLICATION (CRA) CRA along with ASCOT TD has the ability to

simulate real world radars by sending SGF 1.1

NUNIO, CD2SIS or ASTERIX radar data to a COTS

trackers like MSCT or ProCon. The radar is

modeled within ASCOT and based on the

radar’s detection capability which includes

terrain masking, radar range, along with target

Radar Cross Section (RCS), CD2 radar messages

are sent from the CRA to the tracker. There is

no restriction to the number of radars CRA can

process to be fed into the tracker, no different

than if the tracker was deployed and receiving

Patriot, FAA or joint service radar data (TPS-59)

externally. The CRA also allows for receiving

radar data from live radars for display in ASCOT.

This allows the user to control live aircraft from

the U.S. AWACS Mission Training Centers.

ASCOT models the radar parameters and sends messages to CRA for

radar plot generation. Radar plots are displayed on tactical scope, just as if it came from a

“live” Radar”

CRA creates radar plots based on ASCOT calculations and sends plot

messages to tactical tracker.

Figure 8: ASCOTs ability to use CRA to interface with tactical systems


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2 COMMUNICATIONS SIMULATION The PLEXSYS line of communications hardware

and software includes both PLEXComm and

sonomarc. Sonomarc is the latest offering from

PLEXSYS. It was designed for high fidelity,

server-based radio modeling use in today’s

modern simulation systems. Sonomarc provides

environmental audio for cockpit and other

applications as well as a remote control feature

that allows for integration with onboard

simulation system radio controls, just like the

actual live systems. Sonomarc also offers an

instructor interface that provides monitoring of

student audio, switch actions and allows for

private conversations between the instructor

and student. The instructor can inject simulated

jamming for student training as well as terrain

for Line-Of-Site (LOS) calculations. Sonomarc

radios can be attached to the own-ship entity as

well as constructive scenario players to provide

the positioning for these LOS calculations as

propagation loss calculations based on modeled

radio types. Sonomarc supports the simulation

of a secure crypto system allowing the operator

to set HQ Net and ToD and WoD each radio.

The instructor has visual cues when

transmitting in a simulated secure and

simulated HQ mode and can send a simulated

“Mickey” allowing them to further replicate real

world capabilities.

Analog to digital conversion is also made

possible with sonomarc, providing the interface

between simulation communication and tactical

radio systems. This is made possible by the

sonomarc Live Virtual Constructive (LVC)

module that not only accomplishes the analog

to digital conversion but is also capable of

generating a contact closure or voltage key to

PTT actual radio systems. In return, LVC can

accept the same contact closure or voltage to

PTT its internal DIS or HLA radios.

PLEXCommVR is a lite weight, stand-alone

Windows or Linus OS compatible software

application that is capable of modeling

HF/UHF/VHF/SATCOM radios using DIS or HLA

protocols. PLEXCommVR models radios much

like sonomarc and can simulate loss of

reception using entity attachment for LOS and

propagation loss calculations. The number of

radios and nets can be specifically tailored to

the customer’s needs and each radio can be

runtime configurable for most DIS parametrics

allowing the operator to adjust; frequency,

power, gain, modulation and exercise ID.

PLEXCommVR is an excellent low cost

alternative for stand-alone applications.


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3 COMPETITOR COMPARISON PLEXSYS simulation tools have many advantages

over our competitors. In addition to a superior

product, PLEXSYS has unmatched customer

service. Below are bullets that highlight the

advantages PLEXSYS products have over the

competitors:

ASCOT produces 35,000+ entities, a number

that would not be possible with other

environment generators (EG).

ASCOT is fully USAF CAF DMO Compliant

and Certified. It is used within the CAF DMO

Federate as a system that new players to

the DMON need to prove integration with

before they can join the DMON.

ASCOT has the most robust data-link

capabilities of any EG. Capabilities include

Link 16 (j series messages MIL STD and

STANAG), Link 11 (STANAG 5511 m-series

messages and our own TADIL J Hybrid called

JoverA), and IJMS (NATO standard)

ASCOT is much more flexible in terms of

scenario scripting and execution. Scenario

development is accomplished in hours

where it takes other EGs weeks.

ASCOT is database driven and user are

provided with databases that can be

manipulated without having to come back

to PLEXSYS to add entity type, weapons,

emitters and other scenario items. PLEXSYS

provides and database tool called SDMT

that allows for database changes without

being familiar with the database program or

structure.

ASCOT provides quick and easy entity

creation

ASCOT has a very robust ground movement

capability

4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TEST CERTIFICATIONS The ASCOT was certified to operate in the Joint

Training Environment (JTE) by the US Joint

Forces Command (USJFCOM) Tactical

Development and Innovation Branch (TDIB) on

behalf of the Joint National Training Capability

(JNTC) Joint Management Office (JMO) on 26

May 2009. During that certification the ASCOT

was connect to the Northrop Grumman

Network Operations Center (NOC) and the

Distributed Operations Training Center (DTOC)

in Des Moines, IA as part of the certification.


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APPENDIX A – ACRONYMS ASCOT Advanced Simulation Combat

Operations Trainer

ATO Air Tasking Order

AWACS Airborne Warning and Control System

ACO Airspace Control Order

ADAP Automated Downlink of Airborne

Parameters

CAP Combat Air Patrol

CAS Close Air Support

COTS Commercial Off-The-Shelf

CP Contact Point

CRA Common Radar Application

DLI Data Link Interface

DTED Digital Terrain Evaluation Data

DAFIF Digital Aeronautical Flight Information

File

DVR Digital Video Recorder

DIS Distributed Interactive Simulation

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FST-J Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint

GNC Global Navigation Chart

HQ Have Quick

HLA High Level Architecture

IFF Identification Friend or Foe

IOS Instructor Operator Station

JNC Joint Navigation Chart

JOG Joint Operations Graphic

JRE Joint Range Extension

JREAP Joint Range Extension Application

Protocol

LAN Local Area Network

MISTEX MACCS Integrated Simulation Training

Exercise

MSCT Multiple Source Correlation Tracker

MAK (Company that produces a High

Performance version of RTI)

NG Pro (Raytheon RTI product that enables the

use of HLA)

ONC Operational Navigation Chart

OPLAN Operational Plan

ProCon Radar Protocol Converter

RTI Run-Time Infrastructure

SDMT Scenario Data Management Tool

SIMPLE Standard Interface for Multiple

Platform Link Evaluation

SIF Selective Identification Feature

TFR Temporary Flight Restriction (area)

TLM Topographic Line Map (NIMA)

TPC Tactical Pilotage Chart

USMTF United States Message Text Format

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/United+States+Message+Text+Format

Documents

Modeling and Simulation Training - VisionScape Logoncontrol.visionscape.com.au/siteFiles/hunterdefencecomau/DataForm... · TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose ... Internal and DMO Training