+ Tools
DSAP
Dynamic Situation Assessment and Prediction Framework
Advancements in simulation and information management technologies have presented commanders with the ability to rapidly and continually evaluate the course of operations during engagements. RAM Laboratories is implementing the DSAP Framework to provide a capability for command and control (C2) and battle management (BM) activities to perform predictive what-if analyses of plans and alternatives as operations evolve.
Introducing the DSAP framework
The DSAP framework supports the simulation and analysis of multiple plans and replications of a plan across distributed computing platforms. The framework has two primary modes of operation: (1) a predictive mode, and (2) a situational awareness mode.
Prediction: For the predictive mode, the framework allows multiple predictive replications of a simulation to run concurrently across distributed platforms, gathers global statistics on the simulations upon completion, and compares simulation results with one another to prune unsuccessful plans. The DSAP Predictive implementation is deployed in a distributed network using agents that (1) execute faster-than-real-time simulations, (2) configure / evaluate plans while pulling from (near) real-time data sources, (3) display results, and (4) reconfigure plans and prune unsuccessful alternatives.
Situational Awareness: For the dynamic situational awareness mode, DSAP provides agents that (1) execute a real-time simulation of an idealized plan, (2) execute a simulation of a real-time plan that is calibrated with (near) real-time data sources, (3) provide plan/configuration comparison, and (4) provide mechanisms for new plan configuration or generation.
Evaluation Capabilities
DSAP provides extensive evaluation capabilities through the use of legacy, 3rd party, and custom evaluation and analysis tools. An example of the DSAP evaluation capability is the Evaluator GUI. The Evaluator GUI allows for assessing plans based on user-defined metrics (Measures of Effectiveness and Measures of Performance) to indicate to the user when certain effectiveness thresholds are reached (note "critical" column). In addition, DSAP provides a Details Comparison window that provides a "drill down" to lower level measures of performance for a given scenario/mission plan. This color-coded window indicates instances where the actual plan diverges from the idealized plan for a Dynamic Situational Awareness application.
Use Case for Air Operations Centers
A use-case for the DSAP environment can be illustrated through a scenario involving Command of Air Operations Centers. To support a DSAP-AOC scenario, RAM Laboratories’ solution utilizes Joint Semi-Automated Forces (JSAF) to provide both real-time and predictive simulation of missions. Near real-time databases such as the Theater Battle Management Core System (TBMCS), Air Operations Database (AODB) and Modernized Integrated Database (MIDB) provide inputs for calibration of simulations with real-world events. Evaluation algorithms that compare the simulation state to plan objectives and real-world events are continuously run to provide commanders with enhanced visibility of operational progress and metrics of success. An operational view of DSAP for AOC use is shown in the figure below.
Features At a Glance
- Assesses mission readiness of C4I systems and projects readiness metrics out in time using simulation
- Draws information from multiple real-time and near-real-time databases and information sources
- Pushes information to a variety of metrics assessment tools and visualization clients
- Efficiently evaluates decision alternatives by simulating multiple plans
- Evaluates and ranks plans according to their effectiveness
- Enables commanders to interactively prune ineffective plans and replications
- Easily integrates with multiple simulations through agent-based interfaces
- Supports heterogeneous environments