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August 2013

Volume 18, Issue 5

Commander Air Education and Training Command Command Profile: Adrienne Young Center for Surface Combat Systems

Helicopter Simulators O LVC Training O Night Vision

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military Training technology Features

Cover / Q&A

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Command Profile:

modernizing Education

The Center for Surface Combat Systems recently announced that it has successfully completed the first phase of retooling how it delivers training to students at seven of its nine “A” schools.

By Adrienne Young

Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative

Center for Surface Combat Systems

To meet its mission to harness the power of information technologies to standardize and modernize education and training, the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative created a specification called the Sharable Content Object Reference Model.

By Dr. Paula Durlach, Jonathan Poltrack, Dr. Kristy Murray and Dr. Damon Regan

8 4

Live, Virtual and constructive training Constructive training plays a vital role in our military, and advancements in this technology are consistently being made.

By Hank Hogan

August 2013 Volume 18, Issue 5

16 General Edward A. Rice, Jr.

24

Commander Air Education and Training Command

10

18

night vision training

Helo Simulators

Not all battles are fought in broad daylight, and warfighters need to be able to complete their mission when visibility is less than optimal.

By Hank Hogan

Departments 2 Editor’s Perspective 3 Program Highlights/PEOPLE 14 data packets 26 Team orlando 27 Resource Center

The U.S. military uses a wide variety of helicopters throughout the spectrum of operations. In today’s austere budget environment, pilots need to be trained through both live and simulated methods.

By Brian O’Shea

Industry Interview Scott Martin

Executive Vice President Engineering and Innovation Division Janus Research Group Inc.

28

“The most significant issue is funding. The Air Force is recapitalizing a significant portion of its force structure, to include fighters, tankers and long range strike, and T-X is finding it hard to fit into the funding mix.”

- Gen. Edward Rice

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Military Training Technology Volume 18, Issue 5 • August 2013

Recognized Leader Covering All Aspects of Military Training Readiness Editorial Editor Brian O’Shea briano@kmimediagroup.com Managing Editor Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Online Editorial Manager Laura Davis laurad@kmimediagroup.com Copy Editors Sean Carmichael seanc@kmimediagroup.com Laural Hobbes lauralh@kmimediagroup.com Correspondents J.B. Bissell • Christian Bourge • Peter Buxbaum Henry Canaday • Danielle Cralle • Hank Hogan Karen Kroll • Cynthia Webb

Art & Design Art Director Jennifer Owers jennifero@kmimediagroup.com Senior Graphic Designer Jittima Saiwongnuan jittimas@kmimediagroup.com Graphic Designers Scott Morris scottm@kmimediagroup.com Eden Papineau edenp@kmimediagroup.com Amanda Paquette amandak@kmimediagroup.com Kailey Waring kaileyw@kmimediagroup.com

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KMI Media Group Publisher Kirk Brown kirkb@kmimediagroup.com Chief Executive Officer Jack Kerrigan jack@kmimediagroup.com Chief Financial Officer Constance Kerrigan connik@kmimediagroup.com Executive Vice President David Leaf davidl@kmimediagroup.com Editor-In-Chief Jeff McKaughan jeffm@kmimediagroup.com Controller Gigi Castro gcastro@kmimediagroup.com Trade Show Coordinator Holly Foster hollyf@kmimediagroup.com Receptionist Vania’ Jones vaniaj@kmimediagroup.com Operations, Circulation & Production Operations Administrator Bob Lesser bobl@kmimediagroup.com Circulation & Marketing Administrator Duane Ebanks duanee@kmimediagroup.com Circulation Barbara Gill barbg@kmimediagroup.com Data Specialists Raymer Villanueva raymerv@kmimediagroup.com Summer Walker summerw@kmimediagroup.com

A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report states that the 2013 Sustainable Ranges Report (SRR) of the Department of Defense met the annual reporting requirements describing the progress in implementing its sustainable ranges plan and any additional actions taken or planned.

As our military withdraws from Afghanistan, home training is going to be expanded. The competition for training ranges may also increase. Section 366 of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 required DoD to submit a plan to address training constraints. Some of the challenges to sustaining DoD training ranges include renewable energy, threatened and endangered species, demand for frequency spectrum and Brian O’Shea Editor indirect impacts of increased home station training.

Of note is the demand for frequency spectrum. As wireless technology becomes more advanced and DoD’s need to train for more complex missions using more technologically advanced weapons expands, there is a need for increased access to the spectrum. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is working with the Federal Communication Commission to make an additional 500 MHz of federal and nonfederal spectrum available for DoD use over the next 10 years. This additional spectrum could be used for both mobile and broadband applications. The DoD is also investigating ways to cohabitate with commercial wireless users and develop methods to access spectrum that are more spectrally efficient, flexible and adaptable, said the 2013 sustainable ranges report.

The report goes on to say that the military’s ability to train in a live environment using synthetic means is invaluable. An example given is the ability to simulate U.S. sensors as they would be affected in combat, which is described as vital.

“The loss of spectrum could result in the inability to ‘train like we operate’ and the inability to replicate operational utility of radio frequency sensors of U.S. systems in the safety of realistic training environments.

DoD will continue to evaluate and mitigate frequency challenges to slow any loss of training and pre-deployment capability,” said the 2013 SRR. As technology advances, it’s critical that our nation’s military has access to enough of the broadband spectrum to properly prepare the warfighter to meet the challenges of evolving threats. If you have any questions regarding Military Training Technology feel free to contact me at any time.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS U.S. Army Awards ‘Games for Training’ Contract Calytrix Technologies, in partnership with Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), SimCentric and Alelo, recently announced the contract award for the U.S. Army’s first-person shooter training system known as Games for Training (GFT).

The Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation awarded the contract to provide program management and delivery of a U.S. Armywide enterprise level license for a gamebased training solution for up to five years.

Both Calytrix and BISim played important roles in the successful delivery of the predecessor Game after Ambush! program, and the award of GFT is a natural progression in delivering high quality game-based training to the U.S. Army.

Calytrix Technologies, as the prime contractor, is responsible for delivering the required software, training and technical support. The CEO of Calytrix, Shawn Parr, said “Calytrix is very proud to have been selected as the prime for GFT. The effective training of soldiers is an extremely important task and Calytrix doesn’t take its responsibility to the U.S. Army lightly.

We will provide the best possible management, software and training to support the Army’s warfighters.” Calytrix is in the process of opening a new office in Orlando in order to best support the U.S. Army.

Calytrix has worked with BISim since the release of their original product Virtual

Battlespace 1 (VBS1) and the two companies have worked together on a variety of projects. For GFT, BISim will be fielding its new Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) platform, providing a robust, flexible and extensible simulation capability tailored for use on a range of U.S. Army simulation programs.

The CEO of BISim, Peter Morrison, said, “We are confident that VBS3 will serve the U.S. Army superbly as its flagship virtual training environment. BISim is focused on working with the military to deliver game-based technology as an affordable alternative to traditional simulation, with an emphasis on modularity, re-use and open standards.”

The complete software package being fielded for GFT includes BISim’s VBS3 virtual training environment; SimCentrics’ VBS Fusion, VBS Fires module and Crowd Ambience; and Calytrix’s LVC Game HLA/ DIS gateway, CNR Sim Pro, CNR Log, and CNR Effects communications software. The package reflects a comprehensive gaming system that will serve the U.S. Army well over the next five years.

The contract enables the U.S. Army to lease the Games for Training software for five years, after which a perpetual enterprise license is granted. It is expected that VBS3 will be fielded in late 2013/ early 2014.

Steve Salmon; steve.salmon@calytrix.com

PEOPLE Army Colonel John F. Haley has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Haley is currently serving as commandant, U.S. Army Ordnance School, U.S. Army Sustainment Center of Excellence, Fort Lee, Va. Army Colonel Maria R. Gervais has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Gervais is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Army Cadet Command, Fort Knox, Ky.

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Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

$1.6 Million for Radar Environment Simulation Systems Mercury Systems Inc., a provider of commercially developed, open sensor and big data processing systems for critical commercial, defense and intelligence applications, announced that its Mercury Defense Systems subsidiary recently received follow-on orders from multiple customers for radar environment simulation equipment. The orders from Boeing, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force are valued at approximately $1.6 million and are expected to be shipped by the end of Mercury’s fiscal year 2014 third quarter.

“These orders reaffirm Mercury’s commitment to continually upgrade and refresh our customers’ radar environment simulators with the latest open architecture, standards-based products,” said Kevin Carnino, president of Mercury Defense Systems. “The ability to simulate and stimulate airborne radars with realistic targets, threats, background clutter and synthetic imagery is critical to providing useful and effective testing capability. Many of our fielded systems have been in continuous operation for more than 17 years, a true testament to their performance, quality and reliability.”

Rich Beeber; rbeeber@defense.mrcy.com

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Army Colonel Christopher F. Bentley has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Bentley is currently serving as commandant, U.S. Army Field Artillery School, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence, Fort Sill, Okla.

Cobham has named Robert (Rob) Mullins to executive vice president, Corporate Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions. Millins will report directly to Cobham plc Chief Executive Officer Bob Murphy, and be based initially at the

group’s Corporate North America office in Arlington, Va. The Wittenstein Group has named Peter Riehle as president and CEO for Wittenstein North America. In this role, Riehle will be responsible to extend Wittenstein’s reach into highly specialized industrial markets such as packaging automation, semi-conductor manufacturing, robotics, aerospace and simulation.

MT2 18.5 | 3

Thanks to technology, LVC training improves.

The training of Navy pilots will be better in the future, if efforts headed up by Research Psychologist Melissa Walwanis bear fruit. Walwanis is the lead systems integrator for the Office of Naval Research’s Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) Training Fidelity program.

The first of the program’s three pillars looks at ways to improve the live experience. The second examines virtual fidelity.

Here, the question is how perfect simulations have to be, Walwanis said. The third program leg looks at constructive aspects of training, which involve the tactics of artificial entities.

“It looks at making semi-automated forces behaviors more robust and human-like and adaptive to training needs,” Walwanis said.

Construct adaptability is important because trainees, being human, sometimes react in unexpected ways. If in response a constructive entity behaves in too rigid a manner, it may actually end up undoing what training is trying to accomplish. What’s more, given human nature, there will be a temptation for trainees to exploit flaws in constructive behaviors and thereby up training scores.

4 | MT2 18.5

By Hank Hogan, MT2 Correspondent

The LVC Training Fidelity program has just finished the first year of a planned five-year run, with one of the accomplishments being the collection of mishap data from flying ranges. Since the live part of the training involves fast-moving aircraft, there may be a need for a kill switch. That will allow an air range control officer to wipe out virtual and constructive aircraft if the safety of real pilots demands it.

In this mixing of live, virtual and constructive, it’s important not to overwhelm trainees. A pilot, for instance, may glance out a window to where a virtual wingman should be flying but in real life isn’t and become temporarily confused. Saturating pilots with virtual and constructive entities may not be all bad, though.

“That could be realistic to what you would see in theater, actually,” Walwanis said. But such an avalanche of information would have to come at the right time, she added. “If somebody is not prepared or ready for that in their training pipeline, we wouldn’t want to hit them with that.”

A possible solution to this problem might be the use of symbols in a heads-up display to indicate what’s live and what isn’t www.MT2-kmi.com

[Image elements courtesy of Defense Logistics Support and DoD]

Since augmented reality and mobile devices will increasingly be used on actual missions, both will need to be part of training as well. [Photo courtesy of QinetiQ North America]

realistic in their depiction of the world, those databases have grown more complex and more costly to build.

In contrast, Diamond Visionics’ product, Genesis, ingests data from various sources and then generates realistic images virtually on-the-fly. Given elevation, imagery and object data, algorithms or auditory verbal cues to do the same. Determinrender each pixel in a scene to be the brightness ing what works will involve careful examination of and color that a human would see. human factors.

Cutting out months of work reduces costs. It As for needed technology improvements, also pays dividends in terms of being able to make Brian Overy those involve better machine learning, more protraining use of the latest data from such sources as cessing power and better communication. For in- bovery@diamondvisionics.com unmanned aircraft. stance, latency, or communication lag, may need “For rapid turnaround, mission rehearsal, misto be reduced. sion planning, you can take this imagery, download Companies are working to meet these and it and run it,” Overy said. other LVC training technology needs. One is DiaAll that’s needed is a commercial off-the-shelf mond Visionics of Vestal, N.Y. Its technology is desktop PC and video card. Overy did note that used in image generators, which in simulators the last needs to be on the sturdy side in terms replicate the real world as it would be seen from of performance. a cockpit or elsewhere. However, the company’s A different type of sturdy technology is beapproach differs from what has traditionally been ing put to LVC training use by Defense Logistics used, said Brian Overy, vice president of marketing Support of Lumberton, N.C. The firm designs and and sales. builds LVC training facilities, with these constructTrevor Kräcker Other image generators create scenes from a ed out of connex shipping containers or modular stored database, which has to be laboriously built tk@defenselogisticssupport.com buildings, said Trevor Kräcker, chief executive offrom scratch for every scenario. As simulations have grown more ficer and president. www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2 18.5 | 5

The latest image generator technology can generate realistic simulations on-the-fly. [Photo courtesy of Diamond Visionics]

Other advances that promise to improve LVC training The company also produces props and atmospherics. This is involve the incorporation of mobile and gaming technoldone using an often overlooked material: corrugated cardboard. ogy. These can allow soldiers, for instance, to continue train“We have chairs, beds, tables. Everything is made out of coring on their own time outside a classroom or simulator. Adrugated cardboard that you can actually sit on and use. They’re ditionally, the use of cloud technology and associated thin fireproof because of our wrap material that goes on them. And clients can make deployment of new training scenarios quicker they’re very inexpensive,” Kräcker said. and easier.

This specially treated cardboard reduces expense now and in Running a realistic simulation on a thin client has gotten the future, he added. Besides being tough, it is waterproof. Thus, easier due to technology advances, noted Len Granowetter, vice it’s not necessary to change props in a range for years, unless they president for products and solutions at VT MÄK. The need to be updated to reflect current threats.

Cambridge, Mass.-based company’s WebLVC prodAdditionally, the use of cardboard offers a safety ucts and protocols enable web-based simulation advantage. There are no ricochets, which can be and visualization. a concern on a range even though no live ammo As for thin clients, of particular importance is used. are two fairly recent web technologies, WebGL For other aspects of training support, the comand WebSockets, Granowetter said. These allow pany partners with General Dynamics Information visualization, simulation and control applications Technology of Fairfax, Va. The latter provides netto run in a browser without having to install any working technology, constructive simulations and software. This capability can be combined with diother LVC training components. The first is imporrectly streaming terrain and imagery data, along tant because the very nature, and a key advantage, Len Granowetter with simulated video. The last enables more faithof LVC training is that it is distributive. Those belgranowetter@mak.com ful mimicry of the way battles are fought today, ing trained may be separated by thousands of miles with live camera and sensor feeds. and yet every element has to respond as if it were All of this computing need not weigh down actually present right next door. the receiving end or force some sort of hefty “Our networking technologies have improved hardware requirements, Granowetter said. “You tremendously, which allows us to distribute exmight be doing your computationally intenercise data, especially here across the Pacific,” sive graphics rendering on the server side, in said Chris Moylan, mission training complex the cloud even. Then you’d be streaming that program manager, from his location in Hawaii as a video stream, just as you would stream a supporting the U.S. Army Pacific’s training at video from YouTube. So the browser still can be Schofield Barracks. fairly lightweight.”

“We do numerous exercises with Korea and also Some final technology twists are here or will with Japan, and this allows us to link all of those Charlie Douglas arise because LVC training has to include the lattogether,” he added. This approach saves time and est innovations found in theater and elsewhere. For that reason, money by not shipping units from Hawaii to the battle simulation training systems are now beginning to incorporate augmented centers in Korea or live training sites in the United States. reality, the overlaying of information on a scene. This might What’s more, technique can replicate an environment beyond mean that data about a weapons system pops up over its imwhat is available locally. For instance, the Army’s 25th Aviation age. Three-dimensional depictions are also increasingly likely to Combat Brigade recently trained and was certified for deploybe used. ment in Afghanistan without ever leaving Hawaii, Moylan said.

In the future, LVC training will also need to incorporate gesAs simulations grow more realistic and constructs more nuture recognition and dialogue systems. The first will allow the merous and lifelike, the demands on the network will also grow. tracking of movement, which can be critical to proper training.

This need is being met by beefing up infrastructure.

6 | MT2 18.5

www.MT2-kmi.com

A web-based viewer built by VT MÄK receives real-time updates of vehicle positions through the WebLVC protocol, and renders a 3D scene directly in the browser using WebGL. [Photo courtesy of VT MÄK]

The second will enable giving, and systems recognizing, oral commands.

Charlie Douglas, vice president of modeling and simulation at Reston, Va.-based QinetiQ North America, noted that warfighters are increasingly more savvy and prolific at the use of computers. They also have spent years playing computer-based games. Eventually, these two trends will impact training and intersect with a third, the competitive nature of people, to produce something that is much more game-like than the training of the past.

As Douglas said, “I think you’re going to see a lot more computer and technology-based training solutions, as opposed to traditional classroom setups. I also think at some point in time it’ll become competitive. I, as a soldier, will want to know how I compare to other soldiers.” O

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

Be prepared!

Practice to improve skills.

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MT2 18.5 | 7

SPECIAL SECTION

Planting the seeds for new laurels.

By Dr. Paula Durlach, Jonathan Poltrack, Dr. Kristy Murray and Dr. Damon Regan In the late 1990s, the Internet was relatively new and learning content was just beginning to find its way online. By the early 2000s, the Internet was the platform of choice for many technology-enhanced learning efforts. To meet its mission to harness the power of information technologies to standardize and modernize education and training, the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL) created a specification called the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). Initiatives in ADL will assist all of Department of Defense by enhancing personalized training opportunities for every soldier, sailor, Marine and airman.

SCORM-conformant content will work in multiple learning management systems (LMSs), as long as the LMS is also SCORM-conformant. The interoperability afforded by the SCORM specification enabled efficient and cost-effective e-learning and became adopted globally. SCORM still continues to work well for many of today’s online learning applications; however, SCORM was developed in a world where smartphones and tablets did not exist, web service technologies were in their infancy and, if “the cloud” entered conversation, it was with reference to fluffy things in the sky. Rather than resting on the laurels ADL has received for SCORM, it is now working to create the standards and specifications for learning in the rapidly developing environment of cloud computing and web services, where users interact with multiple devices (e.g., phones, tablets, simulators, game consoles) and engage in multiple types of learning experiences (e.g., courses, games, simulations, self-directed).

New devices like smartphones and tablets truly support learning anytime and anywhere. This already happens, informally, all the time.

Small GPS units, accelerometers and gyroscopes enhance the experience by providing unique user interfaces and highly contextual information. Social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and YouTube provide ever-changing content that can be used for everything from helping with calculus homework to changing a radiator on a 1967 Camaro. Cloud and software as a service (SaaS) technologies make storage and sharing of information easier than ever before. This situation is ripe for new learning initiatives to enable personalized, just-in-time learning and performance support. Hence, ADL is currently developing specifications and standards to leverage the capabilities available in this new learning environment.

ADL’s vision for the specifications and standards that will be necessary to afford interoperability in the new learning environment is described by the Training and Learning Architecture (TLA). The TLA will be a rich set of standardized Web service specifications and open-source software (OSS) designed to create an environment for connected training and learning. Key to this is the development of application program interfaces (APIs). APIs specify how software components interact with one another, including use of libraries, routines and data structures.

8 | MT2 18.5

The TLA is being created by ADL and the e-learning community using open-source software, community working groups and public wikis.

As they are created, the TLA components will be organized into four conceptual categories: experience tracking, content brokering, learner profiles and competency networks.

Experience Tracking Experience tracking specifications and software will be used to track learner data based on their interaction with learning experiences.

Learning experiences in this context can be, but are not limited to, formal courses, simulations, informal learning via websites/videos, and social media interactions. An important characteristic of experience tracking is the ability to gain access to the data after it is stored.

Data can be used as input to other systems that are focused on reporting, statistics, grade books, human resources, recommendation or intelligent tutoring.

Content Brokering Content brokering specifications and software will manage content to support just-in-time learning and enable selections of the next logical activity (i.e., sequencing). Content brokering also includes the idea that machines will have the ability to understand content for purposes of selection and launch in specific contexts through file indexing metadata or microdata. A content brokering capability must also recognize the device a learner is using for a learning experience and be able to provide appropriately formatted content for that specific device.

Content brokering depends on the availability of content repositories and registries. A content repository is like a digital library, with digital content and an index (or metadata) stored in the repository. A registry is a backend system, designed to facilitate the exchange of content.

While the content may be stored elsewhere, the registry may provide a behind-the-scenes link for seamless access. With respect to repositories, ADL has created a repository for 3-D assets (http://3dr.adlnet.gov), and is also developing services to manage and repurpose courses, documents and multimedia assets (www.adlnet.gov/tla/russel). With respect to registries, ADL is collaborating with the Department of Education on the Learning Registry, a new approach to capturing, sharing and analyzing learning resource data to broaden the usefulness of digital content to benefit educators and learners (www.learningregistry.org).

Learner Profiles Learner profile specifications and software will provide access to data about learners. This includes, but is not limited to, background www.MT2-kmi.com

information, course completion history, learning preferences and mastered competencies. Learner profile information can be used to tailor a learning experience to an individual by taking into account the learner’s experience and goals. A learner profile contains data from many sources including raw experience tracking data, models created from those data and learner-entered information.

Competency Networks Competency network specifications and software will enable learning content and learner needs to be matched up by content brokering systems. Relationships (i.e., this content is aligned to teach this objective or competency) must be established between content and the learning objectives it is relevant to. Existing one-domain competency profiles specify the knowledge skills and abilities required for specific certifications or job roles; however, ADL envisions competency networks representing multiple profiles, showing where there is overlap, so that competencies gained in one context can be used as evidence in another. Competency networks will also support the use of microcredentialing, authoritative confirmation of “bite-sized” competencies.

Development of competency networks is currently occurring in multiple areas (e.g., K-12 education and medical fields).

Experience API 1.0.0: Tracking Learning Experiences To date, ADL has concentrated effort on the experience tracking component of the TLA. The Experience API (xAPI) version 1.0.0 was released in April 2013 and serves as the initial specification for TLA Experience Tracking. This important milestone resulted from a year-long project involving ADL and a large external community working collaboratively on both a specification and software examples. The opensource model used in this project will serve as a guide for other TLA components. The xAPI uses a format based on activity streams, which are widely used in social media. An activity stream can be thought of as a sentence with the structure <Subject> <Verb> <Object>, or “I did this.” For example, xAPI statements may represent: • The attempt on a course: “John Doe attempted Information Assurance.”

• The completion of a course module: “John Doe completed Information Assurance, Part 1.”

• Answers to assessment items: “John Doe answered Question 1 with True.”

• Scores: “John Doe scored 90 percent on the Information Assurance assessment.”

be created, drawing on experiences using multiple devices and multiple activities. An open source learning record store (LRS) has been developed by ADL to store xAPI statements. Statements in the LRS can be retrieved for analysis and use (e.g., to feed a learner profile). The LRS can be integrated with other systems, such as an LMS. Traditionally, a learner’s data stays within the LMS or the organization running the LMS. Unlike an LMS, the LRS and the xAPI enable the sharing of data between LRSs and other xAPI-enabled tools. This means a learner’s data can follow them wherever they go, from school to school and job to job. For more information on the xAPI and the LRS, see www.adlnet.org/tla/experience-api and www.adlnet.org/tla/lrs.

From TLA to a Personal Assistant for Learning Besides developing the TLA, ADL is also involved in a longer-term research initiative called “Project Aristotle.” The aim of this project is to develop a 24/7 personal assistant for learning (PAL). The vision of the PAL is that it will provide lifelong, relevant, tailored, timely access to learning content and assistance. It will recommend, guide and support the user’s learning experiences, both formal and informal. It will take into account knowledge of the user’s current situation and goals, and understand the user’s preferred modes of interaction. In addition to requiring all the capabilities of the TLA, the PAL will need unobtrusive and clever methods of monitoring and interacting with the learner (e.g., mixed initiative dialogues). Will the PAL user interface be embedded a pair of glasses, a badge around your neck, your clothes, the environment or all of these? While not directly working on development of an interface, ADL is monitoring developments in this constantly evolving area and will take advantage of new opportunities to integrate novel interfaces. While we want the PAL to assist the learner, we do not want the learner to become dependent on it. In fact, we would like the PAL to foster independent learning, to make its users more self-directed and passionate about their learning. Determining how we bring this about will require more than just technology; it will require targeted research in the areas of metacognition, self-regulated learning, motivation, collaboration and learning science.

Conclusion

XAPI statements can also represent informal learning experiences like:

Learning is no longer limited to brick and mortar schools or interactions with an organizational LMS. Recent years have seen the growth of educational technology such as distributed online content, serious games, simulations, massive open online courses, and intelligent tutoring systems. Moreover, the distinction between formal and informal learning has become blurred through the availability of online resources such as Wikipedia, How-To and YouTube. ADL aims to continue to fulfill its mission, to standardize and modernize education and training in the Department of Defense in the context of this changing technological landscape, through initiatives such as the TLA and the PAL. O

• Reading a blog: “John Doe read ADL’s xAPI 1.0 Blog.”

• Writing a blog: “John Doe wrote The Benefits of ADL’s xAPI Blog.”

• Watching videos: “John Doe watched ADL’s Creating Reusable Content YouTube Video.”

Dr. Paula Durlach is deputy director, ADL Initiative; Jonathan Poltrack is operations director of the ADL Co-Lab in Alexandria, Va., and Technical Team co-lead; Dr. Kristy Murray, director, ADL Initiative; and Dr. Damon Regan, Technical Team co-lead.

Learning Record Store By collecting and analyzing xAPI for a specific learner, a picture of the learner’s activities, achievements, competencies and interests can www.MT2-kmi.com

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

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With the right tech, warfighters can train in the dark.

By Hank Hogan MT2 Correspondent

When special operation forces (SOF) go to work, they may do so in the dark or when visibility is otherwise limited. But they never operate blind. Rather, they make use of infrared and night vision equipment to see what the unaided eye can’t. They also have products that almost invisibly light and mark rooms, equipment and people.

Such technology provides a crucial advantage. Take the case of chemiluminescent products, which glow for hours due to a chemical reaction. They’ve been available for decades but still are an important part of a warfighter’s toolkit.

“Even with the advances of various forms of LED lighting—and there are a lot of great products out there—military units, especially SOF, will have the need for a dependable, lowcost consumable chemiluminescent product used for marking or lighting that they can discard,” said retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Keith Kaui.

To make the most of this nighttime advantage, units have to be trained in the technology and its use. That’s where various firms and their offerings come in, with each supplying part of the overall training solution.

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One piece of the answer comes from chemiluminescent product provider Cyalume Technologies of West Springfield, Mass.

That’s where Kaui ended up after leaving the military. He’s now the company’s special programs manager.

The same equipment is used for training as for real missions, Kaui said. Thus, vehicles in a training run may be marked with chemiluminescent wipes, much as they would be on an actual mission. The use of the same product for both training and missions is important, Kaui said. “It’s familiarity. The more you do it in training, the more people are comfortable with their night vision devices observing or picking up IR markers or lighting.”

The company has a new product offering, a 2.5 by 4 by 0.19 inch patch. Today it comes in standard visible colors, but the company is developing an infrared version. No matter the color, though, the patch is activated by snapping a small, centrally located vial, thereby allowing two solutions to mix. The plastic device is specifically designed to prevent accidental activation. The result is a glow that can last over 10 hours, with the patch capable of being attached to just about anything thanks to an adhesive on the back.

Kaui is aware that great strides have been made in electricalpowered lighting, particularly solid state LEDs. He also acknowledged that the technology has its uses in training and missions.

However, he did note one important advantage of the chemical approach: pads, sticks and other products can be thrown to the ground or otherwise treated roughly without fear of breaking them and shorting out a battery. In contrast, chemiluminescent products from Cyalume always work when light is really needed, A Canadian Air Force officer trains on the Hercules Observer Trainer using night vision goggles Kaui said. projected by Christie Matrix StIM projectors. [Photo courtesy of Christie] Another part of the night vision and limited visibility training solution comes from Fort Wayne, Ind.-based the ability to train in the identification of friend and Calienté, a maker of thermal targets, sensors and foe. An example of this capability can be seen in the control systems. The company’s products are used case of being able to distinguish between the differto create multispectral target signatures, with panent types of tanks mentioned above. els replicating the image of a person or vehicle, said Christie of Cypress, Calif., supplies another John Farfaglia, the company’s military business deelement of a night vision training solution. The velopment director. company’s roots are in cinema and movie projecThe key to effective night vision training is that tion. While still active in those areas today, Christhe object looks like the target in the visible and the tie’s projection and display systems are also used in infrared. Thus, simply placing a hot blob at a spot training facilities for simulation, said Dave Kanawhere the engine might be in a truck is not enough.

John Farfaglia hele, director of simulation solutions.

“We’ve studied multispectral images of actual john@calientellc.com There have been several recent technical develvehicles and their actual signatures. While there’s opments that have benefited night vision simulamore heat in the engine compartment, we add tion and training, he added. Of particular imporgradient thermal signatures to match the thermal tance have been the advent of LED illumination signature of a T72 to the point our warfighters can and the addition of infrared to the standard color accurately differentiate it from an M1 Abrams,” scheme. For the latter, traditionally, red, green and Farfaglia said. blue—or three other complementary colors—have The company has different types of products. been used to create a color display. By adding inSome are basic, while others are high-fidelity comfrared to the mix, Christie projectors can now be bat targets. Some require 120 volts, which means used to train warfighters in a simulated scene that that power cabling has to be run to the target for appears as it would to both the eye and to night training. Others run on 12 V, offering the advanvision equipment. tage of being able to run on batteries.

Dave Kanahele The company does this using a single digital As for the future, Farfaglia noted increasing demands for training devices that look realistic no dave.kanahele@christiedigital.com micromirror device to route all of the colors—and the infrared—to the proper point. This all-in-one approach avoids matter if they’re viewed in the visible, using night vision, or using the problem of having to align infrared and visible pixels, which infrared. One of the possibilities such enhanced realism offers is 12 | MT2 18.5

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Targets with the right heat signature and visual appearance aid in night vision training.

[Photo courtesy of Calienté]

can be difficult to do. Instead, everything naturally falls into the proper place.

As for LEDs, these are still not as bright as arc lamps, the traditional projector illumination source. But they have gotten significantly brighter over the years, and that makes them serious contenders for many different simulation applications. The march of technology has been noticed by the company’s customers.

“Solid state illumination has really changed the expectations that our customers have in terms of the reliability, the maintenance and the stability of these systems,” Kanahele said.

With regard to the future, the trend is toward higher resolution, with so-called 4K systems on the horizon. These will offer four times the pixels of today’s HD standard, which should improve the faithfulness of simulation. In this, the simulation market will benefit from the drive toward such higher resolution by the much larger cinema market.

That will be combined with 3-D simulation to make more compelling—and lifelike—training.

A final part of the training solution comes from Havok, an Irish company with U.S. simulation headquarters in Orlando, Fla. The company works with game pubCory Kumm lishers and the movie industry, providing simulation and 3-D vicory.kumm@havok.com sualization technology. In the last few years, Havok has customized its technology for simulation and training.

For the latter, one of the important inputs to get right is that of sensors. Indeed, modern military training demands accurate sensor input, as often on actual missions what is coming in over sensors is as important as what can be seen. Here, Havok collaborates with JRM Technologies of Fredericksburg, Va., to ensure that simulated sensors respond as their real-world counterparts would, said Cory Kumm, worldwide director of military and simulation for Havok.

He added that a general trend in training is a drive toward greater fidelity, as simulations hew increasingly closer to reality.

That presents a challenge for computers, since it means more polygons have to be handled and more processing done. However, Havok’s games industry background actually helps the company meet this challenge, Kumm said. www.MT2-kmi.com

Chemiluminescence pads that glow for hours are used in night vision training and on missions. [Photo courtesy of Cyalume]

Gamers, after all, also demand lifelike action. What’s more, they want this fidelity while running on gaming consoles, which are typically not high powered systems. All of this has prepared Havok to meet the military training challenge.

As Kumm said, “The console is a very limited PC. It has limited memory. So we’ve always had to build efficient software.” O

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

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DATA PACKETS World’s First 4K Resolution 3-Chip DLP Projector Running at True 120Hz Christie recently introduced the Christie Mirage 4K25 and Christie Mirage 4K35 projectors for 3-D applications for advanced visualization in automotive, location-based entertainment, government, military, oil and gas, and more. These new 3-chip DLP projectors, anchored by the new Christie TruLife electronics platform with proprietary 1.2 Gigapixel per second, floating point architecture, offer full 4096-by-2160 resolution at 120Hz for 3-D. The world premiere of these new solutions took place at the 21st 3D & Virtual Reality Expo (IVR), at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan’s largest exhibition for 3-D technology and high definition image technology.

The Christie Mirage 4K25 and 4K35 provide flexibility in brightness from 10,000 to 35,000 lumens, a variety of input options including DisplayPort, HDMI and HD-SDI, and built-in Christie Twist for curved screens and blended array visualization applications.

The latest in the Mirage product line, the Christie Mirage 4K25 and 4K35 projectors offer significant benefits to the global business and visualization markets that rely on both 3-D and single or multiple channel immersive displays. Their image quality, color and uniformity enable visual accuracy in the vehicle development process, which can reduce risk and costs for research and prototyping, from concept to final design. The reliability and durability of these projectors deliver consistent, repeatable performance with no down time for the most demanding theme parks environments, where projectors operate up to 24 hours a day, creating fully immersive virtual experiences. The stereoscopic capability of the Mirage 4K25 and 4K35 enables engineering work collaboration and visualization of the most complex data sets for oil and gas, military or aerospace, museums, academia, government, national labs, heavy machinery, and science and biotechnology industries.

Larry Paul; larry.paul@christiedigital.com

GL Studio DX for DirectX Released

Innovation in Spectrometer Simulation Probe

The Disti Corporation, a provider in the development of highly interactive 3-D graphical user interfaces, announced the release of GL Studio DX (DirectX). This new bundle supports the integration of DirectX graphics with GL Studio interface content.

GL Studio DX provides enhanced development features and increased capabilities that are in demand by today’s software user interface developers.

As Disti’s latest advancement in user interface development technology, GL Studio DX allows developers to expand their platform reach and interface functionality. GL Studio users can now integrate their graphical content with DirectX based scene generators, thus opening up deployment options beyond the standard OpenGL landscape. In addition to support for DirectX, GL Studio DX provides enhancements for greater object animation control, multi-touch interactivity, advanced text capabilities, higher fidelity for rendering 3-D models, and support for new graphics card features.

“We constantly strive to develop the technologies that keep pace with the demands of our users; GL Studio DX is the next step in that journey. This new addition to our award-winning products will aid developers in creating the user interface experience that Hollywood always portrays to movie-goers,” said Darren Humphrey, chief technology officer of Disti.

The Lumen runtime engine is the driving force for the groundbreaking features of GL Studio DX. Developed from the ground up to support modern rendering platforms and multi-processor computer hardware, Lumen represents a multimillion-dollar investment to ensure GL Studio continues to meet the requirements for interface development well into the next decade. Lumen’s capabilities and features allow users to create content independent of operating system, hardware platform or rendering technology.

Scott Ariotti; sariotti@disti.com

Argon has launched the RIIDEye-SIM-NaI-P, a spectrometer simulation probe that enables responders to train how to use the Thermo RIIDEye handheld Radiation Isotope Identifier without an ionizing radiation source. The probe is the latest from Argon Electronics to enhance CBRN training and are based upon Argon’s patented use of ultrasound and RFID (radio frequency identification devices) to simulate hazardous material.

For highly realistic CBRN training, Argon’s RIIDEye-SIM-NaI-P temporarily replaces the real NaI detector. With the RIIDEye-SIM-NaI-P installed, CBRN trainers can plan exercises in which the RIIDEye responds to Argon’s GS3 gamma radiation simulation source, which can be set to represent specific nuclear isotopes such as Cs137 and Co60. The simulator probe is also PlumeSIM compatible, permitting radionuclide identification exercises to take place in either virtual table top or large are field exercises involving scenarios such as radiological dispersion devices or a nuclear power station accident. All RIIDEye audio and visual alarm functions are maintained throughout the simulation exercise, as well as the data download capability The RIIDEye-SIM-NaI-P has also been designed to provide long, uninterrupted service during training. The probe is powered by a separate integral rechargeable battery and requires no preventative maintenance or recalibration. Argon has also launched the SAM940-SIM-NaI-P, which caters for users of a previous version of RIIDEye, called the SAM940.

“The RIIDEye-SIM-NaI-P once gain raises the quality bar for CBRN training exercises involving not just radionuclides but also specialist nuclear materials,” explained Steven Pike, managing director, Argon Electronics. “The simulator is compatible with other dosimeter, survey/radiacmeter simulators manufactured by Argon, permitting multi-detector, multi-isotope training to take place within the same scenario.”

Steven Pike; sp@argonelectronics.com

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Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

F/A-18C Tactical Operational Flight Achieve Ready-for-Training Milestone L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) recently announced that two F/A-18C Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (TOFTs) built for the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) have been unconditionally accepted as ready for training. The training system contract was awarded to L-3 Link by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in August 2010.

The high-fidelity F/A-18C TOFTs replace the KAF’s F/A-18 Weapons Tactics Trainers that were initially delivered by L-3 Link in 1996. The new F/A-18C TOFTs share a common architecture with U.S. Navy Roadmap Procurement Program F/A-18 TOFTs, which will help simplify future simulator upgrades and lower the life cycle cost of the KAF’s overall training system.

“These F/A-18 simulators provide the Kuwait Air Force with a significant increase in training capability,” said Frank Casano, L-3 Link’s vice president of Navy and Marine programs. “The trainers enable Kuwait F/A-18 pilots to enhance their tactical skills over a full range of mission areas in an immersive environment that represents the same configuration as the Kuwaiti aircraft.”

The networked simulators are enabling KAF pilots to jointly conduct simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics, normal and emergency procedures, and night vision goggle operations in a robust synthetic environment. Both of the simulators are integrated with L-3 Link’s SimuSphere 360-degree field-ofview visual display.

L-3 Link also integrated both the 19C(K) and 23X(K) Operational Flight Program (OFP) and associated aircraft systems on both TOFTs, which support simulation of the aircraft’s comprehensive weapons and sensors suite that includes the Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared.

In addition to the two F/A-18C TOFTs, L-3 Link delivered two instructor operator stations, a brief/debrief system, associated computational systems and a theater-specific visual system database. Delivery of these systems marks the 16th and 17th F/A-18 TOFTs supplied by L-3 Link to an international military service.

Sean Clark; sean.clark@l-3com.com

Helicrew Helicopter Simulator Unveiled

Maritime Simulator Upgraded for 360-Degree Training Experience

Ryan Aerospace recently unveiled the Helicrew helicopter simulator product at ITEC in Rome, Italy.

The development and delivery of the first Helicrew in a UH-60 Blackhawk variant was announced by Ryan Aerospace’ Managing Director Chris Ryan, who said he was proud of this new product.

“This unit has been in development for nearly a year and specifically designed for use with Bohemia Interactive’s VBS2 software. I am hoping that it will find its place into military organizations worldwide that participate in combined arms training/joint training exercises,” said Ryan.

Ryan Aerospace has already received its first order and this unit will be delivered soon to customers in Canada.

This Helicrew device has a very simple touchscreen system for the instrumentation, making the multifunction displays fully functional at a fraction of the cost of traditional simulators. This system also allows for easy change-over between different types of aircraft.

The controls are generic and limited in functionality but more realistic grips can be included.

The Helicrew is modular and reconfigurable, meaning that this unit could easily be changed into an NH-90, CH-47, AW-139 or any larger helicopter type. It has a USB interface and is DIS/HLA capable when using VBS2, meaning that customers can network a number of machines together.

It is manufactured primarily from aluminum and steel, making it deployable in the field and rugged enough to withstand the toughest of environments.

Chris Ryan; chris.ryan@ryanaerospace.com.au

Digital Projection International, Scalable Display Technologies and Electric Picture recently collaborated on a significant system upgrade to STAR (simulation, training, assessment and research) Center’s maritime training simulator in Dania Beach, Fla. This upgrade resulted in increased imagery resolution and vertical coverage, improved color management and made overall system maintenance more efficient.

In operation since 1993, STAR Center is regarded internationally as a top destination for ocean-going and inland professional maritime training and research. A division of the AMO Safety and Education Plan, STAR Center is the primary training provider for the U.S. merchant marine officers represented by American Maritime Officers.

At a time when some training facilities are compromising on overall experience by implementing flat-panel based simulators, STAR Center’s 16-foot tall, 360-degree immersive ship bridge training display delivers an incomparably realistic experience.

STAR Center contacted Melbourne, Fla.-based Electric Picture, the integrations company that installed the original simulator components, regarding the ideal components for the upgrade.

There were three main items that Brian Long, director of STAR Center, wanted the upgrade to address: the image quality from the outdated projectors wasn’t up to standard, the external warp and blend boxes in use needed regular maintenance, and the system needed overall color controls.

As the system was in such a high-use application, a long-term components warranty was also important to ensure the simulator performed at top level for years to come.

Scalable Display Manager software is used to automatically calibrate the warp and blend for the full display. Scalable Display Manager is a patented camera-based system that provides STAR Center the ease of use of “one touch” calibration. This installation also features advanced color matching to ensure the simulator appears unified and seamless.

Long and the entire STAR Center team take their training responsibility very seriously. “Our central goal at STAR Center is to help produce the most well-trained, prepared maritime officers in the world. The newly upgraded bridge simulator will help us achieve that goal for years to come.”

Phil Laney; planey@digitalprojection.com

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Airman Trainer

Q& A

Improving the Quality of Training at a Lower Cost General Edward A. Rice Jr. Commander Air Education Training Command General Edward A. Rice Jr. is commander, Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. He is responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force personnel. His command includes the Air Force Recruiting Service, a numbered air force and Air University. AETC trains more than 293,000 students per year and consists of 12 bases, more than 67,900 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilians and contractors, and 1,369 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft.

Rice is a 1978 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has commanded a squadron, group, wing, the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and a joint command.

His numerous staff positions include serving as a White House Fellow at the Department of Health and Human Services, as a professional staff member for the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces, and as the deputy executive secretary for the National Security Council. He has also served as chief of staff of the Office of the Representative and executive director for the Coalition Provisional Authority, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. Rice has significant experience in combat and contingency operations, to include commanding bomber operations during the first four months of Operation Enduring Freedom as commander, 28th Air Expeditionary Wing. Additionally, during Operation Unified Assistance, Rice served as the deputy commander for the joint task force, Combined Support Force-536, assigned to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to victims of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. The general is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours in the B-1B, B-52G/H, E-3, B-2, KC-135, C-130H, T-37 and T-38.

Q: What are the top three challenges the Air Education and Training Command will face in 2013?

A: We have three strategic initiatives in the command. The first is to transform the way we deliver training. Our goal is to maintain or improve the quality of our training, but at a significantly lower cost. The second initiative is to develop a cost-conscious culture where every airman is conscious of the costs of doing business and seeks to reduce unnecessary expenditures. The third initiative is called Valuing Airmen’s Time, where we seek to view time as a resource that must be managed just like all our other resources. We must make progress on each of these initiatives if we are to continue to deliver quality education and training in a resource-constrained environment.

Q: Can you give an update on the T-X program?

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within the USAF fiscal year 2015 budget submission. We have a solid understanding for the decision timing based on inputs from industry, the acquisition community and the requirements to maintain the T-38C. Meanwhile, as we wait for funding decisions to resolve, AETC is addressing multiple issues to ensure we’re prepared to move forward.

Some of these include sustainment studies, refining our requirements and understanding how emerging learning systems will shape future pilot training. It’s important to understand that the family of systems we purchase is the tool to meet the mission and not the end in itself.

Our goal is to build the training environment and then acquire the best aircraft to fit into that environment, not to buy an aircraft and then shape the training.

Q: What have been some of the recent challenges of the T-X program replacing the T-38 Talon as the Air Force’s jet trainer?

A: The most significant issue is funding. The Air Force is recapitalizing a significant portion of its force structure, to include fighters, tankers and long range strike, and T-X is finding it hard to fit into the funding mix. Fortunately, the T-38 is still a great airplane and it will continue to serve us well during this period of transition to a new advanced pilot training system. www.MT2-kmi.com

Q: How has the AETC prepared for sequestration and what steps are being taken to maintain operational effectiveness in the long term?

A: The three strategic initiatives I mentioned above are designed to help AETC navigate our way through a severely constrained resource environment. We’ve been thinking about this challenge for the last several years and have positioned the command to maintain operational effectiveness during a period like this. We have much more work to do, but to this point we are satisfied with our preparation.

Q: What new programs and initiatives are set to be implemented in 2013?

A: Major issues on my mind include working to mature the development of the F-35 training program, moving a portion of our F-16 training program from Luke AFB to Holloman AFB, and bringing more technology to the classroom. We are making good progress in each of these areas.

Q: How important is the AETC’s relationship with industry in an era where technological advancements happen so quickly?

U.S. Air Force Gen. Edward Rice speaks to airmen during an all call in Welch Theater at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. [Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force/Kemberly Groue]

A: I believe our partnership with industry must continue to mature in the years ahead. This primarily means better and clearer communications between the two parties. Ambiguity costs money, for the government and industry, and this is something we can no longer afford.

The need for better communication is not so much about technology advances as it is about budget challenges. We can’t afford to spend money on things that don’t matter.

international participants are initially trained by AETC, which means we have an impact far beyond the individual airman. In the end, this translates into improved interoperability and capability, and better, more equitable relationships with our allies and partners.

Q: What do you see as the biggest changes the AETC will go through in the way it trains its airmen over the next five years?

A: We have a very strong relationship with the ROKAF’s Air Force Education and Training Command [AFETC]. ROKAF AFETC mirrors AETC as a major command and is similar to AETC in that it has much of the same responsibility for training ROKAF airmen that AETC has for USAF airmen. AFETC manages an independent Air University, officer training, airman basic military training, flying training, and a number of technical schools. Unlike AETC, it is also responsible for an air defense artillery school [an Army function for the U.S.] and an aviation and science high school for future enlistees.

A: The airmen entering our Air Force today are very comfortable with technology. We see this as an opportunity to bring additional technology into the learning environment. This will mean more learning is delivered to the student in more diverse locations, many of which will be outside of the traditional classroom environment. Said another way, the learning environment will be more tailored to the individual student, which will enable better and faster learning.

Q: How is the Air Force working to train foreign military units, and what is the primary benefit of providing this type of training?

A: Every year, AETC trains around 6,000 non-U.S. Air Force students at AETC CONUS training and education venues, and roughly the same number OCONUS with military training teams, extended tour service specialists, and language training detachments. Within AETC, more than 90 percent of all training is performed “one airman at a time,” and the rest can be categorized as small units, which includes everything from aircrew training at our CONUS flying training units to security forces teams at the Inter American Armed Forces Academy, where all the training is conducted in Spanish.

Additionally, our component Air Forces train at an operational level, largely unit to unit. That training is often tied to exercises like Red Flag, a multi-week advanced aerial combat training exercise held several times a year. While it is true that AETC involvement in such exercises is typically very limited, all USAF personnel and many of the www.MT2-kmi.com

Q: Can you describe AETC’s training partnership with its Korean counterpart?

Q: What types of simulator equipment does the AETC train its Korean counterpart to use?

A: The Republic of Korea Air Force [ROKAF] is a key partner in an important region of the world. Their training generally mirrors USAF training; however, the ROKAF has its own mature, well-organized training enterprise. Typically, for new weapon systems the ROKAF will train an initial cadre of instructor pilots with USAF, then build a USAFlike organic training program upon that foundation. This method has worked very well for them. For example, the ROKAF F-16 training is considered as good as that provided by the USAF at Tucson and Luke.

Also like AETC, the ROKAF uses simulators in all of its flying training programs, and this too ensures our Air Forces are very compatible.

With that said, it is important to note that although we train very few ROKAF airmen relative to the training we provide to other countries, the training we do provide the ROKAF is no different than what we provide to U.S. airmen, except as dictated by system differences and security constraints. O MT2 18.5 | 17

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Delivering the maximum training benefit for dollars invested.

By Brian O’Shea, MT2 Editor

The U.S. military uses a wide variety of helicopters throughout the spectrum of operations, and in today’s austere budget environment, pilots need to be trained through both live and simulated methods to maximize performance levels.

The Navy Aviation Training Systems program office (PMA205) at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) supports a wide variety of simulators for both Navy and Marine helicopter platforms. The H-60 helicopter training program is just one example of the many ways simulators are used to train future pilots, said Captain Craig Dorrans, program manager, Naval Aviation Training Systems.

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Using the H-60 as an example of one of the many simulator platforms, PMA205 utilizes the general H-60 operational flight trainer (OFT), which includes full day and night forward looking infrared (FLIR) and night vision device capable visual systems; training for shipboard landings, approaches, in-flight refueling and vertical replenishment; Hellfire missile, laser designator and FLIR training; maritime search and rescue; fully replicated and interactive cockpits; and flight instructor stations inside the cockpit module.

Capt. Craig Dorrans

All helicopter platforms have a simulator training continuum designed specifically for its needs, said Dorrans. With the variety of tasks pilots need to execute, it’s crucial for simulators to provide a continuum of mission options.

“Some scenarios and training situations are better suited for simulation from both a training efficacy and/or cost standpoint, such as emergency procedures and instrument flight training, cockpit functionality and displays, complex adversary scenarios, and when airspace or ranges are limited,”

CAE is developing a range of MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter simulators for the U.S. Navy, such as this MH-60R tactical operational flight trainer located at Naval Station Mayport.

[Photo courtesy of CAE]

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simulators, said Brian Bailey, chief engineer for the Apache Training said Dorrans. “Currently, the standard pilot syllabus involves a Systems, Boeing. combination of both simulation and live flight training. In the fu“Because of the high cost of operating aircraft, customers ture, the Navy is evaluating if more training events can be accomwill offset costs by seeking higher fidelity flight simulators that plished in the simulator rather than in the aircraft.” can reduce the number of flight hours that must be used to supWith technology advancing at a steady pace, the military’s priport both initial and sustainment training,” he said. “This trend orities are simple. will continue and intensify as faster computers make increased “With defense budgets decreasing, it is important that we defidelity achievable.” liver the maximum training benefit to the fleet for the dollars inHe added that visual systems will continue to advance to provide vested,” said Dorrans. “We are looking for industry to develop highnear real world visual scenes and higher fidelity geo-specific scene fidelity training systems which allow for skill development and skill content. Simulators on the ground will become more realistic and currency at an affordable price. Other innovations such as open connected. Training using aircraft will be enhanced systems architecture, common simulation models using ground-based and on-board equipment to proand common instructor operator stations also promvide cockpit stimulus the aircrew would experience ise to keep life cycle costs affordable for the Navy and during real-world exercises. Networking of both Marine Corps now and into the future.” ground-based and airborne training devices will inThe U.S. Army uses a simulator for nearly every crease, forcing development of standard methods to type of aircraft in the inventory. The AH-64D, CHcommunicate training conditions to all participants 47F and UH-60M all have high-fidelity crew trainers, to ensure everyone’s experiences are correlated. said Army Lieutenant Colonel Mark Bliss, product Boeing’s products and services to the U.S. Air manager for Air and Command Tactical Trainers at Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy as well as sevProgram Executive Office for Simulation, Training eral international military customers. and Instrumentation. For collective training, the Brian Bailey “Skill development using high-fidelity simulaArmy uses the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical tions is critical if aircrews are to effectively utilize Trainer (AVCATT), which simulates all of the platsensors, learn situational awareness, and engage targets with comforms in the Army inventory except the UH-72; however, the UH-72 plex weapon systems,” said Bailey. upgrade effort is underway for AVCATT and should be fielded in the next year.

“Simulators allow aviators to train specific tasks until perfected,” said Bliss. “Simulators also allow for extreme situation replication without the risk to equipment or pilots. For example, simulators enable training in a combat environment, on a database that is almost exactly matching the combat area terrain, and allows for engagements with various weapon systems without negative impacts for poor decisions. Furthermore, simulators allow for substantial savings, as the simulator’s initial cost coupled to a sustainment cost is far less than an actual aircraft costs when viewed over several years.”

Bliss added that with the current budget environment, the time to invest in simulator technology is now.

“The fiscal environment is compelling the usage of simulators across all branches of the Army,” he said. “The pending decrement to flight hours, training rounds for gunnery, and funding for aircraft parts will lead to a dependency on simulators to maintain the current high level of readiness across the aviation enterprise.”

Industry is doing its part in providing simulator training systems to meet the needs of our nation’s military. Boeing provides pilot training devices for the AH-64D and AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter and works as a partner to deliver CH-47 Chinook and V-22 Osprey helicopter www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2 18.5 | 21

technology, such as spatial disorientation or acceleration for atCAE offers a range of training devices to the U.S. military tack helicopters. This evolving capability will aland defense forces around the world. Their portlow pilots to train in simulators that support refolio of simulators and training devices ranges alistic environments and train them to deal with from desktop trainers and part-task trainers to the same physiological, physical, environmental full-mission simulators featuring motion, vibraand workload stresses that they encounter during tion, extreme field-of-view display systems and a actual flight. full-fidelity virtual environment. Specifically for ETC is continuing the development of the the U.S. military, CAE is the prime contractor reGYRO IPT 3 EFoV (GYRO Integrated Physiological sponsible for providing all of the U.S. Navy’s heTrainer 3 Extended Field of View) simulator. This is licopter simulators for the MH-60S and MH-60R a fixed wing variant with a reconfigurable cockpit Seahawk helicopters. CAE is also developing cockto a helicopter configuration. This simulator compit procedures trainers for the U.S. Army’s UH-72A Phil Perey bines a multi-place, reconfigurable cockpit, wide Lakota helicopter, said Phil Perey, senior director, field of view visual display, and a six DoF motion strategy and business development–helicopters philippe.perey@cae.com system with an additional continuous yaw drive. at CAE. The GYRO IPT 3 provides an ideal simulation plat“CAE’s helicopter simulators are optimized to form for helicopters, and, with the introduction deliver mission training capabilities,” said Perey. of the continuous yaw axis, can expose pilots to “To achieve this, CAE incorporates sophisticated the physiological stresses that are associated with computer generated forces software to enable a helicopter flight. more comprehensive, realistic and interactive Kratos Technology and Training Solutions is a training environment. Although many of our helilife cycle training solutions developer, specializing copter training devices have been fielded with colin the readiness, reliability and operational effeclimated visual displays, CAE has recently developed tiveness of warfighter systems. They offer solutions a large direct projection dome display as part of for many different rotorcraft platforms including our CAE 3000 Series helicopter mission simulators Dick Leland the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, CH-53 to provide extended field of view not possible with Stallion and AH-64 Apache. The U.S. Army, Navy prior technology.” and Marine Corps are currently using Kratos develCAE believes that dome-based high-end simulaoped training devices in their training curriculum, tors will become the new industry standard for highsaid Jose Diaz, vice president of training solutions, end helicopter simulation.

Kratos Technology and Training Solutions.

“Longer term, we see that closed-loop adaptive Diaz added that in the past, most training betraining will make inroads,” said Perey. “This is a gan in the classroom as instructor-led, then on to significant departure from the prescriptive traina computer-based course, and finally on to a fulling programs currently in force, and will allow scale training system. With new budget and time more time for aircrews to hone their skills. To asrestraints, it can be beneficial to mix the uses of sess such capabilities, the instructor will also be these devices to create the most efficient training able to call upon comparative group performance Jose Diaz program available. baselines drawn from simulator data analytics.

“For example, our blended devices offer a This data includes more traditional black box in- jose.diaz@kratosdefense.com unique combination of computer-based training and replicated formation on the simulator flight regime, but may also include physical controls all within an immersive physical environment,” crew biometrics such as heart rate and eye scan patterns.” he said. “These devices help students advance along the trainETC produces motion-based simulators. These range from ing continuum by providing a cost-effective bridge between comsustained G motion simulators to motion cueing with sustained puter-based training and part-or full-task trainers. With a simple yaw acceleration simulators to six degrees of freedom (DoF) mosoftware change, these devices can are easily reconfigured to a tion simulators, said Dick Leland, president, National Aerospace variety of subsystems and platforms.”

Training and Research Center, ETC’s air and space training, reHe added that Kratos maximizes return on investment and search and education facility. ETC offers aircraft-specific cockpits lowers total ownership costs by using a common simulation and as requested by the customer, where the cockpits and aeromod3-D content for all training media, including hardware, virtual, els are interchangeable. ETC can provide simulators for attack, distributed and instructor-led media. As many experts agree, the transport, maritime and training helicopters. future of helicopter simulator technology will incorporate physi“ETC’s simulators provide a realistic training environment ological aspects for the user. where pilots can practice basic skills through mission rehearsal “As rotorcraft platforms advance, training systems must conin all types of meteorological conditions,” said Leland. “ETC also tinue to advance with them,” said Diaz. “The blending of virtual incorporates data linking capability to support multi-ship trainand physical environments will be a trend that we will begin seeing. With their continuous motion systems, ETC’s simulators can ing more of in the future. With the use of augmented reality, also introduce the physiological stresses that the pilot would exwhich combines 3-D technology with physical elements of the perience in actual flight.” real world, training will be able to save time and money with the Leland added that helicopter simulator technology could ability to upgrade and reconfigure training rapidly.” benefit from more integration of human factors into training 22 | MT2 18.1 18.5

www.MT2-kmi.com

Lockheed Martin delivers training and simulation technologies, as well as live training, to defense and civil customers worldwide. They provide customers with an end-to-end solution designed to meet the customer’s needs in any of the three components of the training continuum—virtual, live and constructive.

Lockheed offers four types of helicopter simulator training systems including Air Training and Rehearsal Support (ATARS), HH-60G, UH-1N and the Multi-Function Training Aid (MFTA).

ATARS develops combat-ready aircrews to effectively and safely carry out special operations missions around the world.

Lockheed is focused on providing a full spectrum training solution for the 7,500 airmen who train with the ATARS program each year, said Vic Torla, director of integrated training solutions at Lockheed Martin. Lockheed integrates classroom instruction, training technologies and training system management supporting 18 aircraft variants, representing the DoD’s largest distributed training system.

The Super 60 is the first HH-60G simulator to incorporate aerial gunner stations on the motion platform. This allows gunners to train alongside and experience the same motions as the rest of the flight crew.

Lockheed trains approximately 330 airmen a year at Kirtland AFB, N.M., to operate the UH-1N, said Torla They provide graduate, transition, key staff, refresher and instructor qualification training. As with the HH-60G, they mirror UH-1N modifications on the training devices so that all components match the aircraft.

Lockheed is now working with Flight Safety International to develop an operational flight trainer that will enable them to provide increasingly realistic training and mission rehearsal for UH-1N flight engineers. The new trainer will enter service by 2014. www.MT2-kmi.com

Top: Simulated weapons training using the MH-60S Aircrew Virtual Environment Trainer. The stand-alone, reconfigurable, full-motion simulator supports aerial gunnery; search and rescue; cargo replenishment training; confined area landings; and emergency procedures training for the MH-60S Knighthawk and HH-60H Seahawk aircrew.

[Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy] Above: Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, 3RD Marine Aircraft Wing utilize the AH-1Z Cockpit Procedures Trainer at the Marine Aviation Training Systems Site, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif. The trainers provide pilots and maintainers general skills and basic operations training prior to being introduced to the full mission simulator or the composite maintenance trainers. [Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy]

MFTA represents a new generation of training technology and tools—an adaptable and cost-effective platform for procedures training on any war fighting and civilian vehicle system, including rotary-wing aircraft. The system is completely commercial off the shelf hardware and software. With integrated touchscreen panels, switches, dials and simulated controls, it provides realistic training before students progress to a full mission simulator. O

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com.

MT2 18.5 | 23

COMMAND PROFILE

Center for Surface Combat Systems Rethinking how training is delivered.

By Adrienne Young

important concepts,” explained Chief Gunner’s Mate Mark Center for Surface Combat Systems Rickey, an instructor at CSCSU Great Lakes Gunner’s Mate “A” (CSCS) recently announced that it has school. “Since switching to a group-paced, instructor-led learnsuccessfully completed the first phase ing environment, students interact more with their instructors, of retooling how it delivers training to and as instructors, we benefit by being able to thoroughly exstudents at seven of its nine “A” schools. plain a subject, answer questions and see students have that ‘aThe three-phase redesign of training delivery at Fire Conha’ moment of understanding.” trolman (FC), Interior Communication (IC), Operation SpeAccording to Dean McCartney, director of training at CSCSU cialist, Electronic Technician (ET), Quartermaster, and GunGreat Lakes, data analysis indicates that students are benefitting ner’s Mate (GM) “A” schools began October 2011 after CSCS from instructor’s hands-on approach. conducted human performance requirements reviews and re“The active interaction between instructors and students ceived fleet feedback. has been beneficial, and from October 2012 to May 2013 overall “Sailors were showing up at their first assignments withtest scores have increased from an average of 87 percent to more out the ability to perform basic maintenance tasks,” said Comthan 92 percent—and in some cases, more than 94 percent,” mander Jack Knick, commanding officer, CSCS Unit (CSCSU) said McCartney.

Great Lakes. “Instead of receiving a sailor who understood and could apply basic troubleshooting procedures, the fleet was receiving a sailor who might understand, but couldn’t apply basic operating, repair and troubleshooting procedures without a substantial amount of on-the-job training.”

After analyzing the received data, CSCS determined training shortfalls were caused by a heavy reliance on computer-based training (CBT) in the classroom and self-paced instruction. CSCS then made a commitment to replace individual learning with group paced instruction and replace CBT with a blended learning solution of instructor-led classrooms, simulation and hands-on training labs. This efficiently trains sailors who enter the service with little or no experience to become anti-submarine and surface combat weapons systems operators and technicians.

With Phase I in place, students are encouraged to be active participants in the learning environment, which includes an emphasis on the importance Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Jon Whitehair, an instructor at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, teaches a class. is the Center for Surface Combat Systems Enlisted Instructor of the Year and a finalist for Naval Education and Training Command of the instructor in the classroom, Whitehair Enlisted Instructor of the Year. [Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephen D. Doyle II] presenting lectures on key points, and Now that the initial phase is complete, CSCS is executing giving students time to comprehend information and apply the Phase II by aligning basic technician occupational tasks the stutheory in a lab environment. dents learn in Apprentice Technical Training (ATT) with “A” and “Critical thinking plays a key role in the classroom, where “C” schools. Prior to implementation, a job duty task analysis students respond to questions and are asked to summarize 24 | MT2 18.5

www.MT2-kmi.com

on IC, GM, FC and ET was completed to identify training gaps missed in the first phase.

“Since October 2011, we’ve discovered that we need to link the basic knowledge learned in ATT and reinforce those concepts by engaging in performancebased activities in “A” and eventually “C” schools,” said Todd Hockensmith, the integrated learning environment coordinator at CSCS headquarters at Naval Support Facility, Dahlgren, Va., and one of the team leads in the project. “Grouppaced CBT will be used to teach facts, the instructor-led portion to support facts, PC simulation to demonstrate skills and provide more practice, and technical training equipment to evaluate both knowledge and skill. By inserting media such as simulations that replicate real-world tasks, we are focusing on skill development rather than knowledge.”

Additionally, a large amount of commonality exists between the training at various learning centers within Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

To exploit these shared aims, CSCS is collaborating with NETC’s Production Requirements Management department, as part of an integrated learning environment functional team to procure a training delivery systems contract.

The projected one- to two-year project will finish with Phase III. The final phase will focus on skill building by incorporating simulations and parttask trainers, which will not only test but also challenge the sailor’s technical Lt. J.G. Christopher D. Ayala, an instructor at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, teaches a class. Ayala is the Center and decision making skills. Instructors Top: for Surface Combat Systems Officer Instructor of the Year and a finalist for Naval Education and Training Command Officer Instructor of will use simulations and part-task train- the Year. [Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin Crossley] ers to teach troubleshooting and repair Above: Vice Adm. Peter H. Daly, deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, listens as Seaman Matthew Bickerstaff, along with procedures, and provide students with Seaman Apprentices Daniel Wilson, Brandon Brammer and Gary Capers describe their training curriculum during a visit to Training Support Center, Great Lakes. The students attend the Gunner’s Mate “A” School at the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit. multiple opportunities to gain hands-on [Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy by Matt Mogel] experience and receive feedback.

“By incorporating simulations and trainers, CSCS will be oversees 14 learning sites. CSCS provides almost 70,000 hours able to provide the fleet with sailors who can perform technical of curriculum and close to 700 courses a year to more than tasks with little to no assistance,” said Hockensmith.

40,000 sailors. O CSCS looks forward to the challenge of completing the second phase and third phase.

Adrienne Young is senior instructional systems specialist at “Lack of equipment, hands-on experience, time and class sizthe Center for Surface Combat Systems. es are our current challenges,” said Ed Gohring, CSCS’s executive director. “The current curriculum doesn’t provide enough time for sailors to practice basic technical skills to meet current fleet requirements.”

For more information, contact MT2 Editor Brian O’Shea at briano@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives The Center for Surface Combat Systems oversees the develfor related stories at www.mt2-kmi.com. opment of surface warfare training and its headquarters’ staff www.MT2-kmi.com

MT2 18.5 | 25

Highlights of the Recent NDIA Training & Simulation Industry Symposium

By Terri M. Bernhardt Seven hundred people gathered for the annual Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) to learn firsthand the latest requirements for training and simulation products and services being procured by the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. With sequestration and a continuing resolution looming, TSIS provided a perfect opportunity for the services to update industry on what lies ahead.

During the two-day event, the TSIS audience learned about the current and near-term opportunities, followed by question and answer sessions. In addition, acquisition strategies, timelines and funding information was provided along with the appropriate point of contact information.

“TSIS presented excellent opportunities to network and interact with the procurement officials from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force,” said Mike Genetti, president, Central Florida Chapter National Defense Industrial Association. “TSIS has plenty of break time purposely built into the agenda to allow for side-bar meetings and to discuss teaming opportunities.”

Highlights for TSIS this year included a venue change to the Rosen Shingle Creek, where the Central Florida Chapter of AAAA Scholarship Golf Tournament and AUSA Sunshine Chapter Army Birthday Ball were also held. “The Rosen Shingle Creek location was ideal for TSIS and we look forward to coming back,” said Genetti. “The layout at Shingle Creek was a nice change. The break area was spacious, allowing for plenty of room for professional networking. Additionally, the conference space easily accommodated all attendees with room for expansion. “ The Navy kicked off the event with NAWTSD Deputy Tech Director Rob Matthews providing an overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the Navy. The NAWCTSD directors presented the planned opportunities for Aviation, Surface & Expeditionary, Undersea, Cross Warfare and International programs. Maureen Burgundy-Wilhelm, director, research and technology programs, NAWCTSD, briefed the simulation and training science and technology initiatives and how small business can use the BAA and STTR processes. The key areas for research include: live, virtual and constructive training fidelity, unmanned systems methodology, medical M&S for training, physiological/neurophysiological assessment to improve training, and virtual environments and technologies for training.

Something new that took place this year was that the Air Force attended via video conference. “This is probably going to be the trend,” said Paul Bernhardt, consultant, Cybernet. “With travel restrictions and budget cuts, video conferencing is much more affordable and it seems pretty effective. TSIS is the best 26 | MT2 18.5

opportunity industry has to meet with the many government customers at the same time. This is particularly important for small businesses.”

Dan Torgler, deputy program manager, PM TRASYS, gave a brief overview of the programs they have. “Dan always does a good job of being straightforward and to the point,” said Bernhardt.

“He did an excellent job going through their programs.”

Ivan Martinez, associate division chief, Simulation and Training Technology Center (STTC) closed out day one with STTC’s opportunities, highlighting the upcoming STES IDIQ with a draft RFP in the fourth quarter of 2013. Martinez stated the key three technical areas of focus are advanced simulation research, medical simulation research and squad and small team research.

The second day of TSIS focused on presentations by the Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) leadership. Dr. James Blake set the conditions for the presentations by emphasizing the budgetary constraints facing the Army while still needing to provide our soldiers with the best training products. Scott Pulford, strategic integrator, Business Operations Office, and assistant program executive officer for customer support, went over the acquisition opportunities and the need for product improvement.

Rob Miller, chief systems engineer and director of engineering, presented the six key technology areas for PEO STRI: High fidelity “pattern of life” modeling; common and realistic virtual life form representations and behaviors; physics-based dynamic thermal representation; modeling of obscurants/illuminations and their impacts on sensors; radio communications and network modeling; weather and atmospheric simulation for real-time training systems; and cyber warfare modeling in constructive simulation.

The afternoon session consisted of presentations by each of the individual program managers introducing their opportunities. “TSIS was the last official event briefed for Colonel Flanagan [PM TRADE] before his retirement,” said Joe O’Connell, vice president business development, ECS. “Colonel Flanagan’s briefings on their collaboration with the Marine Corps were excellent.”

All of the presentations are available online through the respective organizations’ websites.

Mike Genetti closed TSIS with positive remarks. He emphasized the importance of filling out the survey so that they can keep on doing what works well while continuing to improve TSIS. “I look forward to the survey results because with feedback, we will find out what is important to the attendees, what is of great value to them.” The next TSIS will be held June 11-12, 2014. O www.MT2-kmi.com

The advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers. KMI cannot be held responsible for discrepancies due to last-minute changes or alterations.

MT2 RESOURCE CENTER Advertisers Index Defense Logistics Support, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.dlsmilwraps.com Design Interactive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.designinteractive.net Digimation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.digimation.com DynCorp International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 www.dyn-intl.com Kitco Fiber Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.kitcofo.com L-3 Link Simulation & Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.link.com Meggitt Training Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 www.meggitttrainingsystems.com Ruag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.ruag.com USGIF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.geoint2013.com

Calendar September 16-18, 2013 Air and Space Conference Washington, D.C. www.afa.org

September 24-26, 2013 Modern Day Marine Quantico, Va. www.marinemilitaryexpos.com

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Carroll L-3 Link Simulation & Training is proud to salute U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott Carroll, a command pilot with over 4,350 total flight hours, including 1,400 instructor hours and 452 combat hours. Currently serving as a pilot instructor trainer on the T-1, Lieutenant Colonel Carroll flew numerous missions transporting personnel and cargo around the globe. Supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, he deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar, during the fall of 2003. As one of five instructor pilots in the initial cadre at Hickam AFB, Honolulu, Hawaii, he was instrumental in the foundation of the first basing of the C-17 for Pacific Air Forces. We salute Lieutenant Colonel Carroll and all of the brave men and women who are helping to keep our nation free.

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MT2 18.5 | 27

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Military Training Technology

Scott Martin Executive Vice President Engineering and Innovation Division Janus Research Group Inc. the perfect mix of operational understanding within the customer domain as well as a strong foundation in cutting-edge technological approaches to providing solutions.

Scott Martin has been with Janus since September 2000. Martin leads over 110 professionals working on research and development, software development, modeling, simulation and training production.

Q: How do you measure success?

Q: Can you describe Janus’ history and evolution?

A: Janus began in 1997 supporting Army Force XXI and Army transformation. We were intimately involved in the operational requirement documents for both the WIN-T and the Joint Tactical Radio System. These efforts led to the development of the digitization blueprint for the Tactical Internet. From there, Janus expanded into visualizations of the operational and systems architecture and began the development of an interactive training simulation capability. Since that time, Janus has become an industry leader in virtual training simulations and visualizations. We now provide distributive, point-ofpresence, and blended virtualized training solutions to the U.S. military and other U.S. government agencies worldwide.

Q: What is Janus’ connection with the defense community?

A: Janus’ connection with the defense community had its beginning in the combat and materiel development communities and now is as varied as the services, support and products we provide to our customers. We were founded in the late 1990s by two retired soldiers who were the initial authors and architects of the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Information Network–Tactical [WIN-T]. Over the years, Janus has expanded to support special operations, cyber, intelligence and other communities to ensure we remain relevant in a series of subject matter areas, while maintaining the focus and agility of a small company. Our mission today, as it was back then, is to provide full-spectrum solutions to facilitate client success and make their vision a reality.

Q: What is an example of your success in the military and what are some of your goals over the next year?

28 | MT2 18.5

A: A perfect example is the “Operation Identity Dominance” serious game, which Janus developed for Training and Doctrine Command’s Capability Manager for Biometrics and Forensics [TCM BIOFOR]. As the largest non-shooter game under development within DoD, it is focused on bridging the instructional gap warfighters have in training the gathering and handling of BIOFOR material. This serious game has been so effective that USSOCOM, the Navy and Marine Corps have requested separate and specific training modules. This program is slated for completion in fiscal year 2013 and will become a program of record in FY14.

In future versions we will innovate and provide more robust capabilities to include: the use of other sensory input; kinetic based actions; and tools for managing more aspects of the game content. We believe these enhancements and others will best support the evolving training requirements our DoD partners.

Q: How do customers benefit from Janus’ varied resources and expertise?

A: Janus provides our customer base a comprehensive factory-to-foxhole enterprise training approach where innovation is the key. We are able to understand and evaluate every client’s operational requirement and rapidly customize an effective and efficient solution. Our range of technical experts brings innovative approaches to training problems through rapid development cycles and agile software development techniques. This intellectual resource provides

A: The true measure of Janus’ success is in the amount of customer satisfaction and the continued valued partnerships we have with our clients and partners. We are a familyowned, mid-sized business where people are valued for their work ethic and contributions, doing good work for the nation.

Q: What are some of your key products in the DoD training and simulation industry?

A: Two of our key products in the DoD training and simulation industry are our Unity Virtual Environment Engine [UVEE] and Serious Game Toolkit [SGT] products. UVEE is an interactive multimedia instructional authoring system and deployment engine and is Janus’ answer to meeting ongoing highfidelity simulation-based training needs.

The SGT product is our framework that is focused on providing a core foundation where development and content teams can build single- and multi-player solutions with components that are architected in a generic fashion to allow maximum flexibility for developers to extend for their specific requirements. The content creators can use the tool suite to add and manage various aspects of content such as create and edit scenarios, conversations and behaviors, achievements and others.

Q: How are you positioned for the future within the military?

A: Janus’ is properly positioned for continued success because we will continue to invest in research and development within the training technology arena. Our core competency is in understanding our client’s requirements and our ability to improve their performance by delivering tailored, cost-effective services and solutions. O

scott.martin@janusresearch.com www.MT2-kmi.com

NEXTISSUE

September 2013 Vol. 18, Issue 6

America's Longest Established Simulation & Training Magazine

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Col. Franz Plescha Commander Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation

Special Section 12th Annual Top Simulation & Training Companies This annual competition recognizes companies that have made a significant impact in the military training industry throughout the current fiscal year in simulation, distributed learning, serious gaming, visual systems, embedded training, targets and ranges, database modeling and any other training component. Companies are selected based on various criteria, which includes total military sales, end-user feedback, innovation and need for the solution.

Features Maritime Simulation

Distance Learning

The military uses simulators to train those who operate watercraft of all sizes to rehearse standard operations, specific scenarios and emergency situations.

With military operations spanning the globe, it is critical for men and women serving our country to have access to educational programs while deployed.

Range Instrumentation Technology Determining range distance is a vital part of military operations. Whether it is used in marksman training or intelligence gathering, technology has evolved, giving the warfighter a plethora of options.

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DynCorp International provides our customers with unique, tailored training solutions for an ever-changing world.

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