SBIR-STTR Award

The field training of Reserve Component units is difficult because of limited training time and facilities and the difficulty in assembling all necessary player personnel. Computer wargames which allow interactive play of player personnel are a relatively inexpensive alternative and supplement to field exercises. Unfortunately, most existing simulations are designed to exercise maneuver command and staff tasks and little play is possible to exercise the full array of combat service support (CSS) tasks. The current versions of JANUS do not realistically model CSS functions and therefore, high priority units of the National Guard, such as Forward Support Battalions (FSB) are not afforded the opportunity to play CSS planning and execution. Advanced Systems Technology, Inc., proposes to modify the existing ARPA JANUS-3D wargame to permit exercise to two critical combat service support functions to demonstrate the utility of using JANUS-3D to training FSB command and staff personnel. The proposed modifications incorporate areas of medical support and resupply of high-use Field Artillery ammunition. The modifications will possess necessary granularity and fidelity to exercise personnel, allow for play of medical and ammunition resupply impacts on maneuver operations, and permit assessment of JANUS-3D wargame training capability in a UNIX environment. Anticipated

Benefits:
Development of a JANUS-3D model for use in training National Guard Forward Support Battalions and use of the 3D capability in other military and civilian simulations.

Army National Guard (NG) Forward Support Battalions (FSB) have a need for Combat Service Support (CSS) training to improve readiness. This need is further defined by NG CSS personnel as the lack of an "in-between" training system to fill the gap between existing individual task training systems and the more resource intensive CPXs/FTXs. Advanced Systems Technology, Inc., (AST) proposes to meet this need by development of a unique and innovative Staff Linkage Trainer (SLT). SLT Development will concentrate on the identification, description, and design of training packages for a selected number of Diads and Triads critical to unit success. Diads and Triads are groupings of technical, operational, and staff personnel who habitually interact in solving problems. The AST proposed SLT will enhance unit training because it fills a niche as the "in-between" trainer. The SLT will employ computer-based training strategies which will provide focused, realistic, and efficient training during the limited training time available to the NG FSB. The training strategies will be based on a realistic scenario and varied training events devised by CSS subject matter experts experienced in FSB operations. This Diads/Triads computer-based training is compatible with on-going military and civilian initiatives in the training area.

Benefits:
The SLT has readily transferable commercial application to other areas of the Government in addition to the military departments. Within the commercial community, there are opportunities for application of this technology wherever small groups must work effectively together under stressful conditions to meet group goals.