SWaPS The Simulation Warfighting and Parsing System A Digital Interface into the US Army Force XXI E

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SWaPS The Simulation Warfighting and Parsing
SystemA Digital Interface into the US Army
Force XXI Experiment

• Michael Ferranti
• Director of Engineering
• Carmel Applied Technologies,Inc

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Requirements

• To interface simulated Aviation components into a
  live Army Tactical Command and Control System
  over DIS for the Force XXI Experiment.

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Previous Work

• A2ATD required the digital linkage of the RAH-66
  Comanche Player Station (CPS) the Longbow Player
  Station(LPS) and a simulated Airborne Command and
  Control Station
• Initial work based on AH-64D Apache Improved Data
  Modem (IDM) Version 2.62

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Goal

• Provide the framework to incorporate all real
  world tactical messages between simulated and
  real world elements

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Background

• The 4th ID was established as the Experimental
  Force (EXFOR) to conduct experiments to develop
  the concepts of Force XXI operation
• Intent was evaluate the seamless interface
  between command levels, improve the control of
  maneuver units and integrate fire support from
  host weapon platforms

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Architecture
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Aviation Digital Message Connectivity
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Statement of Problem

• No current means for different Aircraft to
  communicate digitally in training exercises
• A means for dis-similar messages systems to
  communicate was required

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Technical Approach

• Design a means to accept specialized DIS messages
• Determine transmitter and receiver of the message
• Parse and format message as required
• Utilize COTS Tactical Simulation Internet Unit
  (TSIU) to interface to Tactical Internet

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SWaPS Architecture
DIS
RCVR
MSG ID
Parser
Tactical Internet
Conversion Functions
TSIU
Msg Assy
DIS
DIS Intf
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Swaps Process
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TSIU Implementation

• All messages transmitted via DIS Protocol 2.0.4
• Utilize transmitter/signal PDU format
• SWaPS-TSIU header used to satisfy specialized
  requirements of TSIU
• Interoperability information contained in ASCII
  configuration data file
• DIS Transmitter PDU identifies transmitter,
  receiver and message type
• Parser determines corresponding message type and
  necessary function required to convert formats

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SWaPS Parse Process
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TSIU Definition

• Designed as a DIS Simulation Tactical Internet
  Interface
• Extracts DIS message header information
• Utilizing configuration file, recreates tactical
  message headers for FBCB2, APPLIQUE and AFATDS
• Receives tactical messages from FBCB2 and
  encapsulates into SIGNAL PDU for processing by
  SWaPS

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Demonstration Explanation

• Conducted at PEO Aviation with ITEMS, SWaPS, TSIU
  and FBCB2
• ITEMS provide Longbow and Comanche CGF entities
• Two CGF aircraft teams conduct reconnaissance and
  attack missions
• Tactical messages transmitted over DIS through
  TSIU and reported on FBCB2

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Demo Architecture
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Conclusion

• SWaPS/TSIU successfully interfaced to FBCB2
• SWaPS parsing demonstrated that virtual
  environment could populate real world FBCB2
• Interface proved that dissimilar tactical message
  formats could be interfaced between virtual
  simulators and real world tactical Internet
  Commanders terminals
• Infrastructure will support examination of
  digital communications with CGF entities
• Demonstration confirmed that virtual simulations
  using digital connectivity of TSIU can simulate
  actual battlefield tactical systems without
  knowledge of users