DISTRIBUTED MISSION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
AND CAPABILITY ANALYSIS
Distributed Mission
Training Operations (DMO), formerly known as Distributed Mission Training,
is an Air Force initiative that enables advanced, real-time
human-in-the-loop simulation environments to be linked together via
state-of-the-art networking technology to create a realistic shared “virtual
battlefield” in which all participants can conduct mission training and
mission rehearsal. DMO embodies a significant investment of money, time,
and physical resources. Because of the expense involved, it is essential to
understand the training value that will result from alternate plans,
technology, and expenses during the planning and early development phases.
Lead-time for developing and fielding new simulation environments and
capabilities is extensive and requires a great deal of planning. The
ability to perform up-front simulation technology trade-offs and describe
them to senior decision-makers is essential to gain needed support and
funding.
In support of DMO, VSAT
was awarded a Phase II contract for SBIR AF 02-068, Distributed Mission
Training (DMT) Requirements and Capability Analysis,
on 21 May 2003. Under the contract, VSAT, supported by the University of
Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), is conducting research for the Air Force
Research Laboratory (AFRL) Warfighter Training Research Division, Mesa AZ to
define a process for analyzing the requirements of current and future DMO
training systems. A relational database known as the Mission Training
Analysis Database (MTAD) is also being developed to support the process.
VSAT is evaluating the DMO simulators at the AFRL Mesa facility to validate
the process.
