Convergence of Synthetic Natural Environments, Mission Planning and Simulations

1
Convergence of Synthetic Natural Environments,
Mission Planning and Simulations
1999 Spring SIW

• Glenn J. Higgins and Dana Z. Sherer
• TASC, Inc.

2
Rationale

• Expose MS SNE community to programs in the
  operational SNE domain
• Compare the needs of operational systems and the
  needs of training MS systems
• Show similarities between evolving operational
  systems and evolving environmental services in
  MS
• Look at future training opportunities that
  leverage both operational systems and simulation
  technology

3
Briefing Roadmap

• Overview of mission planning tools being
  developed for each of the services
• WIDA (Weather Impact Decision Aids) Program
  Overview
• Ties to traditional use of SNE in Training
  applications
• STOW technology and AES (Atmospheric Effects
  Server) application
• Summary

4
WIDA Program Overview
5
WIDA Program Overview

• Goal Incorporate Weather Impacts on Mission
  Planning and Execution
• EOTDA currently-fielded Electro-Optical Tactical
  Decision Aid (TDA) technology (1982 - 1994)
• NOWS Night Vision Goggles Operations Software
  (1994 - 2000)-- Emphasis on Special Ops Missions
• TAWS/WAMPS (1997 - 2001)
• TAWS Target Acquisition Weather Software.
  Replaces EOTDA. Tri-service sponsorship and
  application
• WAMPS Weather Automated Mission Planning
  Software
• IRTSS 3-D visualization of IR scenes. Extension
  to other wavelengths
• Government POC for these Programs Paul
  Tattelman
• AFRL, Hanscom AFB [phone]
  tattelman_at_plh.af.mil

6
Weather and Mission Planning
-72 hrs
-48 hrs
Mission Planning
Force Level Planning

• Position forces
• Stockpile weapons based on weather trends

• Selection of candidate targets
• Selection of optimum weapons
• Determine optimum times for attack
• Issue ATO

• Mission Assignments
• Update sorties schedules
• Update flight planning
• Weapons uploading

• Provide guidance for tactical decisions

7
NVG OPERATIONS WEATHER SOFTWARE (NOWS)

• Integrated, graphics-based tactical decision aid
  for NVG systems.
• Mission support for
• Helicopter refueling
• Target detection
• Pickup/drop zone detection
• Take-off and landing
• Forecast weather data
• Manual entry
• AFWIN digital data
• PC-compatible and easily transportable to other
  platforms
• Model validation effort in progress

SNE data
8
NVG OPERATIONS WEATHER SOFTWARE (NOWS)
KEY LOCATION ANALYSIS
EN ROUTE ANALYSIS
NOWS
INPUT
ILLUMINATION ANALYSIS
9
Target Acquisition Weather Software (TAWS)
Replacement system for EOTDA, integrating
technologies from EOTDA, ACT/EOS, NOWS, IRTSS,
etc.

• Incremental GUI development
• Windows 95
• Windows 98
• Windows NT
• Web Browser
• Use of databases for efficiency
• Targets
• Sensors
• Geography and terrain (VMAP level 0, DTED)
• Saved regions and missions
• Automated weather data ingest
• JMV
• AFWIN
• AFGWC
• TEDS
• Flexibility

M-01482
10
Target Acquisition Weather Software (TAWS)
Target scene visualization
EO Models
INPUT
11
Weather Automated Mission Planning Software
(WAMPS)
A prototype system demonstrating how weather
might be integrated in the mission planning
process.
M-01482
12
IR Target-Scene Simulation Software (IRTSS)
In the Cockpit Through-the-Sensor Weather
Impacted IR Target Scene Visualization

• Improve Situational Awareness
• Optimize Weapon Choice
• Optimize Tactics
• Improve Target Detection

Result Increased Bomb-on-Target Rates
13
WIDA Physical Modeling
Inherent Signature
IR TV/Visible Laser
Model Thermal Reflected
Reflected TCM2 , INSOL,
Signature Sun/moon/ Laser
SKYRAD (IR),
Artificial Energy
Reflectivity (TV

Laser), SLAC Path Path
Path
MODTRAN, Transmission Transmission/
Transmission PC FASCAT
Radiance
Apparent Apparent Signal
Army EO Contrast
Contrast Strength
Performance Geometry Geometry Sensor
Sensor
Atmospheric Transmission
Sensor Performance
14
Sensor Sensitivities to Weather
Thermal Contrast T, Td, Wind, Precipitation,
Clouds, Solar Irradiance, Long-wave
Irradiance Atmospheric Transmission Clouds,
Absolute Humidity, Aerosols
IR
TV/ visible
Visible Contrast Scene illumination,
Visibility, Clouds, Aerosols, Humidity Atmospheric
Transmission Clouds, Visibility, Aerosols,
Humidity
Laser
Atmospheric Transmission Clouds, Visibility,
Aerosols, Humidity
15
WIDA Product Examples
Lock-On Range versus Time
5 hours prior would offer optimal range for
lock-on predictions
Planned Mission Execution Time
16
WIDA Product Examples (cont.)
Detection Range versus Attack Azimuth
17
WIDA Product Examples (cont.)
En Route Analysis
18
Weather Automated Mission Planning Software
(WAMPS)

• WAMPS concept embodies WIDA capabilities
  leveraged during mission planning, execution and
  re-planning phases to enhance mission success
• Employing WIDA through the WAMPS concept
• Through using a WAMPS enabled Theater Air
  Planning (TAP) mission planning system at the
  mission planning phase
• Then focus on monitoring force-level execution
  using a WAMPS enabled Force Level Execution
  (FLEX) system during the execution phase
• Then execute an Air Battle Plan adjustment using
  a WAMPS enabled Execution Management/Re-planning
  (EMR) software
• TAP, FLEX and EMR are part of TBMCS, Version 1.0

19
TAP Air Battle Planning
Problem mission is highlighted
User may select WAMPS Alert tab to help remedy
mission problem
Because of the PGM initially selected for the
mission
TOT is one mission parameter at issue
Or the user may select the weather icon to
remedy the problem
Mission parameters at issue are highlighted
Message area guides user to a course of action
20
WAMPS Enabled TAP Air Battle Planning
Target can not be changed for aircraft/SCL
combination, so button is grayed out
New WAMPS enabled TAP alert tab
Weather/weapon/aircraft based mission timeline
TOT can be changed, but will not be in this
WAMPS prototype
Planner decides target weapon may be changed
Using same aircraft, target weapon may be
changed
WAMPS alert is related to a weather impact at
planned TOT
Aircraft/weapon combination can not be changed
because button is grayed out
21
WAMPS Enabled TAP Air Battle Planning
Drop down selection box containing on-board
WAMPS filtered weapons the TAP planner may
select to use
TAP planner selects TV Maverick
TAP planner is guided by WAMPS to select a green
or amber weapon
TAP planner can select color bar to drill down
for the reason of the weapon color coding
Weapon already planned for another target
22
TAP Air Battle Planning
Original TAP air battle schedule preserved
Weapon changed
Weaponeering problem resolved
23
Convergence of SNE, Mission Planning and
Simulations

• Operational weather sources feed operational
  systems (i.e., Army IMETS)
• Training applications use other SNE tools
• like those developed by DARPA- and DMSO-sponsored
  programs like STOW, MSEAs MEL and ESG
• AFRLs Atmospheric Effects Server (AES)
• Train as you Fight military mindset requires that
  the two worlds converge
• Training and wargaming community benefits
• So does the operational command and control

24
Example Data Flow - Source to System Clients can
be Operational or MS
Example Clients
Database Integration Run-Time Distribution
MS Visual
Data Sources Providers
Data Distribution
METOC Data Receivers
Transforms
Data Fusion
ftp
AES
Run-Time Distribution
MS CGFs
4-D Vis
Environmental Scenario Generator
METOC Charts
Operational Systems
Data Mining
HLA/RTI DIS
TAOS
25
Embedded Training in Operational SystemExample
Program JWARN

• Future systems planned for operational use must
  support training requirements
• Use MS technology to stimulate operational
  systems, providing an embedded training mode
• Automatically switches between Simulation Mode
  and Operational Mode if event occurs
• Allows operators to examine what-if scenarios
  and plan courses of action
• Core Weather component is integral

Local exercise controllers use JWARN capability
to influence battlefield scenario

• JWARN - Joint Warning Reporting Network
• Fielded Chem/Bio Detector system with dual
  operating mode operational as required and
  training otherwise

26
Future Mission Planning

• Increase awareness of weather impacts during
  mission planning through what if simulation and
  training events
• Use of weather impacts in mission planning
  training venues should be expanded
• WIDA technology can improve the mission planning
  process in training exercises