Research Summaries

Back Using LVC Technology to Improve Naval Aviation Mission Planning and Execution

Fiscal Year 2018
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) McDowell, Perry L.
Guerrero, Michael J.
Lee, Ryan S.
Heine, Eric R.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary Live, virtual, constructive (LVC) technology is in the process of revolutionizing Department of Defense training by allowing personnel in the field (live) and simulators (virtual) to train together, with that training augmented by simulated entities (constructive). However, despite the fact that LVC holds significant potential to create similar gains to operations, especially mission planning, to date LVC implementation in this area significantly lags behind training.
In a recent NRP project, we created a combination virtual/constructive advanced technology demonstrator designed to be used in a live operational environment. Built to aid in planning operations for the Marine Corps Planning Process, it allowed warfighters to build operational plans in an easy to use virtual environment (VE). This allowed the planner to move through the environment of and see the terrain as it actually existed while planning. These plans were then passed to Combat XXI, a constructive simulation, where the plans were run and the results were displayed to the planner in the game environment so that he could see where engagements, casualties, etc. occurred to assist in strengthening his plan.
We envision creating a similar advanced technology demonstrator for aviation planners to plan missions. This application would allow personnel to enter blue positions and objectives, intelligence estimates of red positions, and other important tactical information. The plan could be examined in three dimensions and, after planners are satisfied, it is sent to a constructive simulation for evaluation. The results are again displayed in the VE for the planners to study. If any weaknesses are shown, they can modify their plans and repeat until they are satisfied with the plan. This system would allow more thorough and faster investigation and iteration of plans.
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Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal