TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Brad Valdyke, PM, Training Systems (PM TRASYS), MARCORPSYSCOM, 407-380-4914

OBJECTIVE: Develop a modular, containerized counter-sniper virtual environment that enables both live and simulated infantry weapons systems to interact during training in the virtual environment. The technology product is intended for equipping live training ranges and home station training.

DESCRIPTION: At present, Marines and Seals have the capability to train marksmanship and shoot/don�t shoot skills in fully simulated virtual environments such as Instrumented Simulated Marksmanship Trainer Enhanced (ISMT-E). Although the ISMT-E system is useful as a tool for initial and sustainment marksmanship training, it lacks the flexibility, advanced graphics, and robust scenarios required to provide realistic training in dynamic situations. Additionally, urban live fire training exercises are currently conducted in a "Shoot House" that does not incorporate advanced technology solutions to augment the training. Neither ISMT-E training, nor "Shoot House" training provide the immersive, robust and seamless training that is required to prepare Marines and Seals for urban combat. Therefore, the desired virutal environment must provide high levels of immersion and seamless training using actual and simulated weapons. The system should use or develop Government Off The Shelf (GOTS) protocols and GOTS or Open Source software that integrates live and simulated fire of organic infantry weapons. Additionally, to maximize transitionability of this effort, maximum use of ISO containers that have become the defacto standard building in many training ranges should be considered for housing the various modules of the system. Finally, robust representation of virtual Opposition Forces (OPFOR) and scenarios that can be readily modified by Marines is highly desirable.

PHASE I: Research the current virtual environments and technologies that have the capability to track weapons as they interact with virtual environments. Based upon these results, design an architecture for the development of the modular, containerized virtual environment system.

PHASE II: Based upon the architecture specified in Phase I, develop a prototype of the modular, containerized counter-sniper virtual environment training system. The prototype should incorporate the capability to interact with a limited set of actual and simulated weapons. Additionally, a limited set of scenarios should be developed.

PHASE III: Phase III will result in fully functional, validated system that can be operated, maintained, and expanded by infantry marines. The system should have the capability to be installed at training ranges for interacting with live weapons and at the home station training site for interacting with simulated weapons to fully provide seamless training.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology will be directly applicable to law enforcement as they train for urban patrolling. Additionally, sports equipment manufacturers will benefit from the developed technologies as a test environment for future sports equipment.

REFERENCES:
1. Goulding, V.J. (2005). Distributed operations: Naval transformation starting at the squad level. Marine Corps Gazette. April, 2005.

2. "The limits of rapid deployment", G2mil The Magazine of Future Warfare, April 2001 (http://www.g2mil.com/April2001.htm).

3. "Marines Turned Soldiers: The Corps vs. the Army." National Review online
December 10, 2001 ) http://www.neguard.com/TAG/MarinesTurnedSoldiers.htm)

KEYWORDS: Modeling, Simulation, Human Performance, Human Factors, Ergonomics, Training

TPOC: Dylan Schmorrow
Phone: (703)696-0360
Fax: (703)696-1212
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Joseph Cohn
Phone: (703)602-5149
Fax: (202)478-5174
Email: [email protected]
3rd TPOC: Roy Stripling
Phone: (202)767-3960
Fax: (202)767-1608
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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