Virtual Ships: NATO Standards Development and Implementation
Abstract
The NATO Naval Armaments Group Sub-group 61 on Virtual Ships is developing standards for modelling and simulation applied to ship and maritime systems acquisition. Its objective is to enable multi-national simulation re-use and interoperability, employing modular simulation components and standardised interfaces. Technical activity encompasses product data modelling, runtime simulation, and practical demonstration of virtual ship applications. A standard agreement (STANAG) has been drafted which will codify SG61 results. A companion 'User Guide' will be published as an Allied Naval Engineering Publication (ANEP). The Virtual Ships STANAG (STANAG 4684) is based on the High Level Architecture (HLA) for simulation; it is oriented toward HLA federations performing physics-based calculations where fidelity is generally of higher priority than runtime performance. The STANAG provides specific Federation Object Model (FOM) extensions to the standard Real-time Platform Reference FOM (RPR FOM). They include constructs for highly coupled ship systems, hydrodynamic forces, and propulsion. These extensions together form the Virtual Ship Reference FOM. It is envisaged that the Virtual Ship Reference FOM will ultimately be used to improve the next generation RPR FOM open international standard, thus achieving maximum dissemination and use. Member nations' experience with development of HLA federations is providing valuable input to the Virtual Ships STANAG. Example federations have been applied to: landing of aircraft on moving ships, launch and recovery of smaller ocean vessels from a mother ship, and replenishment at sea with coupled ship motions. A multi-nation Memorandum of Understanding has been established to facilitate practical application of the STANAG. Draft Project Arrangements will further international cooperation in systems design and testing for replenishment at sea operations, and for quiescent period prediction in seakeeping. This paper provides a progress report
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA568625
Entities
People
- Gary Henry
- Ian Cox
- John Duncan
- Paul Crossland