Simulation: Simulation and CDG | ADM June 2012
By Julian Kerr | Sydney | 25 June 2012
Simulation
and modelling are vital enablers for Capability Development Group (CDG), which
draws on the resources of the Joint Decision Support and Simulation Centre
(JDSC), the Rapid Prototyping Development and Evaluation program (RPDE), and
the Defence Science and Technology organisation (DSTO) for activities ranging
from Future Soldier experimentation to preparation of the Defence Capability
Plan (DCP).
Industry is also involved, albeit generally
at lower levels of classification and via tasking from RPDE.
Increasingly sophisticated techniques, coupled with the savings deriving from
simulated rather than live activities with physical assets continue to boost
the importance of the simulation function within CDG.
As
Defence considers the future of the Defence Simulation Program as part of the post
budget DCP deliberations, the interplay and extent of the simulation
requirements for CDG and other groups in a challenging budget environment will
require careful consideration. The bulk of modelling and simulation required by
CDG to progress complex issues such as force structure and strategic management
of the DCP is undertaken by the JDS C. It also carries out environmental
simulation.
Established
at Fairbairn in mid-2009 as a joint initiative sponsored by CDG and DSTO, the
JDS C’s denizens are officially described as utilising a range of analytical and
simulation tools and experimentation techniques to provide Canberra-based strategy
and capability decision-makers with scientific assessment of new strategic and
operational doctrines.
Problems
identified within projects by CDG division and branch heads tend to be passed
to RPDE, says Dr Mike Brennan, Director General Simulation.
“They
come up with a framework solution and in that context there are often modelling
and simulation elements as part of the solution framework or the solution
itself.”
According
to RPDE’s May 2012 outcomes report, some 41 per cent of requests emanate from
CDG, the program’s sponsor and principal funder. Many of these involve so-called
Quicklooks utilising simulation to inform pre-First Pass documentation. It was
a report by RPDE just a year after its own creation in 2005 that was
instrumental in the establishment of the JDS C, with which it now cooperates
closely.
“The
modelling skill base generally continues to reside with the RPDE panel members
rather than being transferred to CDG as an ongoing capability,” Dr Brennan states.
“Simulation solutions for Quicklooks are most often built to purpose rather
than seeking an enduring simulation. It’s slightly different in JDS C where
there’s a degree of experimentation and exploration.
“JDS
C has a modest modelling and simulation capability which it employs based on the
subject matter expertise within the centre – supported by the wider DST O.
Within CDG, some tasks may be assessed as betteraddressed by JDS C; others may
be defencesensitive and not ready to be addressed by an industry-based
organisation like RPDE.”
In
CDG’s collaboration with DSTO, DSTO will commonly define, develop and retain
the models, whether for a task such as an electronic warfare engagement
simulation, or for constructive wargaming. Simulation and wargaming tools
within JDS C, RPDE and DSTO vary according to needs and requirements.
Defence
has several models of network systems of varying fidelity to provide emulations
of deployed information and communications technology, Dr Brennan explained to ADM. Other specific high fidelity
models simulate aspects of antiarmour and other weapons, and domains such as
EW.
Constructive
wargaming is facilitated by the commercially developed simulation applications
such as the One-SAF (Semi- Automated Forces) system, a computergenerated forces
simulation that can represent a range of operations, systems and control
processes.
Users
can configure force systems precisely as needed to support simulation requirements.
Earlier versions of the system have been in use with the US army since 2003,
and extending the use of the system beyond simulation agencies to broader use
in the Australian Army is scheduled for 2014. Other “SAFs”, such as JSAF – the
Joint Semi Automated Forces system developed by the US Joint Forces Command –
are also used to provide constructive elements to very large simulation events,
including the joint Australian-US Talisman Sabre series of exercises. Generally
simulations purchased from the US,
UK
and elsewhere are typically adapted by DST O or the service groups to provide
Australian-specific entity and environmental representations.
Where
simulation programs are affected by US International Traffic in Arms
Regulations or other security constraints, the relevant restrictions are either
accepted, or DSTO may be tasked with writing Australian models of the key
aspects that are not released.
A
mix of these two options is understood to be prevalent in the ICT and EW areas
of air and maritime simulation. Interestingly, as Australian software companies
and games developers generate Defence specific simulation products, export regulations
need to be considered by companies without a long history of working with
Defence.
Projects
within CDG that are currently benefitting from extensive simulation include the
long-running Land 400 (Land Combat Vehicle System), Future Submarine and, at a
boots and braces level, Land 125 (Soldier Combat System). This has involved detailed
practical work including the behaviour of the spine under various loads, and
the impact of head-mounted nodes.
CDG’s
simulation and modelling requirements, although growing in number and complexity,
are currently not a stretch for Defence resources.
“At
present, basically you need to build a simulation environment from square one.
This is a relatively expensive thing to do in terms of time,” comments Dr
Brennan. “Each time we build a simulation we have to go through the process of
testing its validity. It would be much better if we can assemble a system that
can verify and store, and pull it out and adapt it for another problem.”
He
sees the current state of Defence simulation as a number of purpose-built systems
which address sub-sets of the simulation requirement.
“What
is now in the offing from the technological point of view is a possibility to
broaden that across the enterprise with a common database which supports
simulation reuse, and that’s something we’ve been striving for a decade or so.”