4.2.2 The Perception‐Reaction Simulation Model for Enterprise Control Systems

Abstract

AbstractThroughout the history of warfare, battle decisions have been made based on the perceptions of both friendly and enemy forces. Perceptions in early history were based on visual sightings and relayed back to the commander through a slow communication system of runners. Technology has changed the methods of information collection and transmission, but the concept of battle has not changed the fact that commanders make decisions based on their perception of the battlefield. What technology has done is to place so much information in front of the commander at an ever increasing pace that misunderstanding or completely missing vital information could drastically affect the outcome of the battle. The purpose of the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) Project is to revolutionize military command and control, specifically in Joint Aerospace Operations. The Joint Air Operations Enterprise will consist of three major components: a control system, a feedback system, and a plant. This paper discusses the use of a perception‐reaction simulation model to perform the physical actions of the plant. The definition and relationship of the three components are described in terms of their contribution to the Joint Air Operation Enterprise. A description of the perception‐reaction model and its relationship to the physical actions of the battlespace are given. Examples of current perception‐reaction methodology are provided. Finally, the perception‐reaction model is integrated into the Joint Air Operations Enterprise, and it is shown how the perception‐reaction model can fully support the enterprise.