Modeling and Simulation Synergies in Acquisition, Test and Evaluation, and Training

摘要

Modeling and Simulations (M&S) capabilities are widely accepted tools which help manage risks and control costs in the acquisition, and Test and Evaluation (T&E) communities. The training community also benefits from M&S; however, the complexity of major acquisitions and a lower priority on their associated training systems often results in training tools which lag in realism, hardware and software versions as the system matures along the acquisition continuum. For obvious reasons then, these tools cannot be relied upon to advance the adoption of the emerging joint, live, virtual and constructive training environment for T&E of system upgrades, modifications or as new weapon systems join the growing joint interoperable, net-centric battle space. This paper briefly examines historical efforts of the T&E and training community's attempts to provide users with relevant M&S tools, and the policy and guidance which shape these activities. It then recommends a synergistic path that relies on the needs of the acquisition and T&E communities to develop an accurate, realistic and responsive virtual battle space accessible by all to achieve their respective goals. The end result is a training world capable of emulating the most current version of weapon systems hardware and software. This same environment will then support the development, and T&E concepts required to meet many of the needs of Service specific acquisitions as well as joint interoperability and net-readiness certifications, leading to a far more efficient, capable, net-enabled force.