Multi-Resolution Modeling in the JTLS-JCATS Federation

The JTLS-JCATS federation satisfies a warfighter requirement for multi-level training, as articulated in MSIAC's Warfighter M&S Needs Assessment. In the process of developing the federation, the federation team has gained insight into Multi-Resolution Modeling (MRM) necessitated by federating two fundamentally different simulations. The Joint Theater Level Simulation (JTLS) is a hex-based, time-stepped simulation using Lanchesterian equations to adjudicate conflict between aggregate-level objects, typically battalions or brigades. The Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS), on the other hand, is an event-stepped simulation that uses terrain posts, and adjudicates combat between entity-level objects, typically individual vehicles or combatants, using individual shot probabilities. The JTLS-JCATS federation leverages the strengths of each simulation by allowing objects to be represented at the level of resolution needed for achieving training objectives. The federation allows the control of federation objects to pass from one simulation to the other, and it employs mechanisms that permit objects represented at different levels of resolution—and controlled by the different simulations—to interact with one another.

As reported in a Fall 2002 SIW paper, the federation objectives are to provide a useful capability to the Joint Warfighting Center (JWFC) to support its exercise support program and to document lessons learned in MRM for the benefit of future programs. Since publishing the previous paper and completing a successful prototype federation, the federation has undergone extensive integration testing and an acceptance test process required by the JWFC. Acceptance testing placed the federation in the hands of the JWFC Instructor/Controllers (ICs) and, as a result, provided valuable feedback for exercise support use.

This paper addresses work completed subsequent to our last published paper and focuses on several topics. The authors discuss multi-resolution modeling (MRM) in the JTLS-JCATS federation, including use of shared object ownership as an enabler of MRM. In addition, the paper addresses reuse of federation components for the JTLS-JCATS federation, and potential reuse for future training systems. The paper also emphasizes exercise support enhancements suggested by JWFC ICs.