Modeling and Simulation Implications of the 'Power to the Edge' Vision

摘要

The Department of Defense vision of providing "Power to the Edge" entails a profound change in doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) across the Combatant Commanders, Military Departments, and Defense Agencies. Moving from the present net-challenged state to fully net-enabled operations and warfare requires balanced investment; the tools that enable investment decision-making rely heavily on an inadequate modeling and simulation infrastructure. Transitioning to a net-enabled force also requires change to joint tactical battle management and command and control capability, which is comprised of sensors, tactical battle management and command and control capability, and weapons that were designed, developed, and fielded to meet specific operational requirements. These requirements focused on single-unit operations (or, at most, a few units, tightly-coupled, working together). The shift to net-enhanced operations and warfare necessitates changes in requirements generation, engineering, test and evaluation, and training. These changes require a robust, distributed modeling and simulation capability to support an objective, rational, and well-informed decision-making process. This paper describes some of the modeling and simulation challenges presented by the shift to net-enabled operations and warfare, discusses specific approaches to overcome these challenges, describes progress made in applying these approaches, and outlines opportunities for further work.