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Andy Fawkes

8th SMi Annual Land Forces Simulation and Training Conference

London - 14 February 2017

Simulation

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Are We There Yet?

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Presentation Themes

  • Where do we want to be?

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  • Where have we come from?

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  • Get there faster?

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Presentation Influences

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Training Context

  • Asymmetrical & Symmetrical Ops
  • Joint/Coalition Operations
  • New C4ISTAR and Network Capabilities
  • Growing Cyber Threat
  • More Remote and Autonomous Systems
  • Pressure on Funding
  • Technology not Waiting for the Military
  • Recruit Expectations

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SISO/US Army – ENGTAM Group�(Exploration of Next Generation Technology Applications to Modeling and Simulation)

  • Gaming Technology
    • The games-derivative simulation software is already used in many areas of training and is extending into the image generator and mission rehearsal spaces.
  • Virtual Reality
    • VR may find its way into a number of new applications in the military training space where immersion and physical space are significant or limiting factors.
  • Augmented Reality.
    • AR may become increasingly more prevalent in training as the technology becomes more robust and most probably making its way into the operational space too.
  • Cloud and Streaming
    • Future simulation and other training and education services may be streamed across the enterprise over a private secure cloud and network.
  • Wearables/IoT
    • In the military domain it will be possible to monitor and interact with all military people and equipment with value in both training and operations.
  • Big Data and Data Analytics
    • The ability to monitor, record and learn from training data will be enhanced.
  • Artificial Intelligence
    • AI will impact on operations but also training through improved AI in simulations and intelligent tutoring.

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https://www.sisostds.org/StandardsActivities/StudyGroups/ENGTAMSG.aspx

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US Army Synthetic Training Environment (STE)

  • IOC of 2023 and FOC 2029
  • Building a single synthetic environment that can handle virtual/gaming and constructive.
  • Incorporate the US Army’s one-world terrain project which maps the entire globe, both geographically and socio-politically.
  • Deliver training to the point of need.
  • Create artificial intelligence to reduce the need for human role players in exercises and offer intelligent enemy forces.
  • Intelligent tutors for computer-based training.
  • Utilize big data for analytics and visualization.

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Can We Learn from�Massively Multiplayer Online Games? (MMOGs)

  • A MoD/Dstl Funded Research Project

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Typical MMOG Characteristics

  • Persistent interactive world that can be accessed 24/7
  • Millions of Concurrent Users
  • Player data that tracks and rewards performance
  • In game communication and interaction with other players
  • Online Communities and Support
  • Supports thin client approach
  • Secure login
  • Ranked/Unranked Worlds

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Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility - RAF Benson

  • Computer-based training and computer aided instruction

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  • Six full-mission simulators (stand-alone or networked)

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  • Tactical Control Centre

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CAE

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Training of Fast Jet Pilots

Wikimedia

Eurofighter

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People are the Most Adaptable Component of Military Capability

Pixabay

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Where do we want to be?

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The Destination?

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A Training and Simulation Recipe

  • Learning Focused - Analytics Drawing on Both Live and Simulated Training
  • Quantified Human
  • Training at the Point of Need
  • Range of Devices to Consume and Interact with Media
  • Individual Collective Training Boundary Blurred
  • Fewer but More Empowered Instructors
  • Sharable and Discoverable Content
  • Persistent Networked Training Environment Instantly Scalable from Individual, through Team, Collective, Joint and Coalition
  • Seamless Live-Virtual-Constructive Infrastructure
  • Rapidly Reconfigurable and Full Support of Mission Preparation
  • Supports Training of and with Autonomous Systems
  • Affordable

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Learning Focused - Analytics Drawing on Both Live and Simulated Training

  • Descriptive
    • What happened?
  • Diagnostic
    • Why?
  • Predictive
    • What will happen?
  • Prescriptive
    • Make it happen

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Quantified Human

  • Wearables for All

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Training at the Point of Need

Time is Money and has an Opportunity Cost

Max Pixel

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Range of Devices to Consume and Interact with Media

Pixabay

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Individual Collective Training Boundary Blurred

Pixabay

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Fewer but More Empowered Instructors

  • Instructor Driven but Minimise Need for Human

Pixabay

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Sharable and Discoverable Content

  • Sharable Content

Pixabay

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Persistent Networked Training Environment Instantly Scalable from Individual, through Team, Collective, Joint and Coalition

  • Effortlessly Scalable from Individual, through Team, Collective, Joint and Coalition

Pixabay

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Seamless Live-Virtual-Constructive Infrastructure

  • LVC

Rockwell Collins

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Rapidly Reconfigurable Simulation and Full Support of Mission Preparation

Mission Preparation

Pixabay

Analysis

Training

Operations

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Simulation Supports Training of and with Autonomous Systems

  • Supports Training of and with Autonomous Systems

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Affordable

  • Affordable

Pixabay

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A Little History�Where Have We Come From?

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Oldest Surviving Training Media

13th Century German Sword & Buckler Manual

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1812 - Kriegsspiel ("war play")

  • Key features:map grid; different terrain types; gaming pieces; dice; fog of war and communication difficulties; impartial third party referee

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Link Trainer (WW2)

YouTube - https://youtu.be/SerUNGg2-rU

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Link Trainer (WW2)

YouTube - https://youtu.be/SerUNGg2-rU

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UK Naval Flight Simulation (1970s)

RAF Phantom/HMS Ark Royal

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1980s SIMNET Distributed Simulation Concept

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SIMNET Tank Engagement (late 80s)

YouTube - https://youtu.be/BT4-MWuq53o

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SIMNET Tank Engagement (late 80s)

YouTube - https://youtu.be/BT4-MWuq53o

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US Navy Battle Force Inport Training (BFIT)

YouTube - https://youtu.be/W9923EwnPGw

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US Navy Battle Force Inport Training (BFIT)

YouTube - https://youtu.be/W9923EwnPGw

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Dismounted Infantry Virtual Environment (DIVE) (2002)

QinetiQ

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Dismounted Infantry Virtual Environment (DIVE) (2002)

QinetiQ

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UK SDSR Simulation Targets - 2010

  • Step Change in Exploitation of Simulation for More Cost Effective Training
  • 25% Transfer Current Live Training to Simulation by 2015
  • Further 25% Current Live Training to Simulation by 2020
  • 5% Change per Annum

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30 Years of Game Graphics

Sploid Oct 14 – Atari 2600 Raiders Lost Ark – PS4 Nathan Drake Uncharted 4

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Simulation Now -�Land, Sea, Air, Anywhere

BISim VBS3/VBS Blue

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Get There Faster?

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Glass Half Full?�or �Glass Half Empty?

Wikimedia

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Military Access to Simulation

1990

2000

Numbers

10’s

100’s

1,000’s

2010

2015

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Human Factors and Training often the�Last Among Equals�in Defence Procurement

Wikimedia

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UK Land Training Systems

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Lead Contractor

Collective Training Sustainment Programme

tbd

Main Collective Land Training Systems

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Combined Arms Tactical Trainer

Lockheed

Area Weapons Effect Simulator

Cubic

Direct Fire Weapon Effects Simulator

SAAB

Command and Staff Trainer

Raytheon

Other Collective Land Training Systems

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Battlegroup Command & Control Trainer

Lockheed

Synthetic Wrap

QinetiQ/Cubic

Dismounted Close Combat Trainer

Meggitt

Small Arms Range Targetry System

Lockheed

Low Level Urban Skills Trainer

Cubic

Unit Based Virtual Trainer

NSC

C-IED Collective Trainer

SAAB

Urban Battle Tactics Trainer (Contact)

NSC

Defence Virtual Simulation

Bohemia

Training and Education Architecture (Land)

?

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Value for Money? - US GAO Aug 16 Report

  • Eight (US Army) virtual training devices are used on average for 21% of their total availability and four of the low-use systems cost more than $70 million to procure and $15 million to operate in FY2015:

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    • Engagement Skills Trainer II (EST II) at 38%
    • Call for Fire Trainer II at 37.8%
    • Games for Training VBS coming at 30.8%
    • Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at 15.4%
    • Stryker Mobile Gun System Advanced Gunnery Training System (MGS AGTS) at 8.6%
    • Intelligence and EW Tactical Proficiency Trainer (IEWTPT) at 8.4%
    • Common Driver Trainer (CDT) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle device at 1.3%.

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  • Gaps in Governance:
    • Front-end analysis
    • Effectiveness analysis
    • Linkage with training strategies

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“Efforts to Adjust Training Requirements Should Consider the Use of Virtual Training Devices”

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Value for Money? - US GAO Aug 16 Report

  • Seven (US Army) virtual training devices are used on average for 21% of their total availability
  • Four of the low-use systems cost more than $70 million to procure and $15 million to operate in FY2015

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  • Gaps in Governance:
    • Front-end analysis
    • Effectiveness analysis
    • Linkage with training strategies

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“Efforts to Adjust Training Requirements Should Consider the Use of Virtual Training Devices”

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Utilisation

Engagement Skills Trainer II (EST II)

38%

Call for Fire Trainer II

37.8%

Games for Training VBS coming

30.8%

Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS)

15.4%

Stryker Mobile Gun System Advanced Gunnery Training System (MGS AGTS)

8.6%

Intelligence and EW Tactical Proficiency Trainer (IEWTPT)

8.4%

Common Driver Trainer (CDT) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle device

1.3%

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Integrated and Responsive?

Army

Procurement

Research

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Organisational Integration

Army

Procurement

Research

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Technology Adoption Cycle

Sagence

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Beyond the Hype – �Exploiting Technology

  • Minimise the need for behavioural change for the military customer

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  • Demonstrate and prove quantitatively the technology’s cost effectiveness

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  • Marketing aimed at a pragmatic customer not a technology enthusiast or laggard

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Questions?

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UK Army Training Costs�MoD FOI letter FOI2015/06627 dated 21 Aug 15

  • 1 week’s Battlegroup training at CAST is £79k
  • 1 week’s Battlegroup training at CATT is £199k
  • 1 week’s Battlegroup training using AWES/ DFWES (SPTA) is £150k

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  • One Infantry Battalion Exercise at BATUK is £9.4m
  • One Battle Group Exercise at BATUS is £24.3m

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