Abstract
While serious games are being widely adopted by NATO and partner nations, their use is currently limited to training and operations planning. In this paper, we explore new methods that use simulations for decision support during the execution of military operations. During this phase, the commander makes decisions based on knowledge of the situation and the primary objectives. We propose here to take a simulation containing smart and autonomous units, and use it to create new kinds of decision support tools capable of improving situation awareness, and consequently the quality of decisions. The breakthrough behind this initiative is the realization that we can provide HQ decision makers with access to a version of the information that smart simulated units use to make decisions. To ensure the approach was sound we first studied decision-making processes, and analyzed how situation awareness improves decision making. After analysis of the decision-making processes at various headquarters, and the types of decision criteria employed, we are able to produce innovative information, computed by the simulation, and fed by the command and control system. We then propose a prerequisite architecture, and describe the first results of our proof of concept work based on the SWORD (Simulation Wargaming for Operational Research and Doctrine) simulation.
 Based on the current situation (intelligence, operational state, logistics, etc.) and the current maneuver (current task), examples of what we are now capable of are as follows: provide an immediate local force ratio map, produce a capacities map (detection, combat), compute contextual fire or logistic support time required, automatically generate lines of battle such as the Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT), Limit Of Advance (LOA), Line of Contact (LC), Forward Edge of Battle Area (FEBA), or propose an effect based maneuver map in order to understand the current effect of the forces on the ground. We then propose a prerequisite architecture for use as a decision-support system at HQ, and describe the next smart layers that we believe should be developed for optimal results.
Highlights
While serious games are being widely adopted by NATO and partner nations, their use is currently limited to training and operations planning
Based on the current situation and the current maneuver, examples of what we are capable of are as follows: provide an immediate local force ratio map, produce a capacities map, compute contextual fire or logistic support time required, automatically generate lines of battle such as the Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT), Limit Of Advance (LOA), Line of Contact (LC), Forward Edge of Battle Area (FEBA), or propose an effect based maneuver map in order to understand the current effect of the forces on the ground
To identify the skills that are necessary for military decision making, we first investigated the underlying decision processes, and identified the features required for an ideal decision-support system
Summary
A generic decision process for organizations was first proposed by Simon (1965), and extended by Mora et al (2003) It consists of five consecutive phases: intelligence, design, choice, implementation and learning They construct a decision model which consists of possible actions, decision criteria, uncontrollable events and relationships between these variables. This decision model serves as a basis for the choice phase, in which decision makers evaluate possible alternatives and generate recommended actions. In order to improve their decision behavior, as well as assessing decision situations, decision makers observe the outcomes of the decision and connect them to their decision behavior in the learning phase
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