Modeling & Simulation

Abstract

As missile defense technologies continually advance and the threat changes, Modeling and Simulation develops system-level models, simulations, and environments, and then evaluates performance of the Elements, Components, and the overall Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Consequently, MDA`s Directorate for Modeling and Simulation is responsible for the Modeling & Simulation (M&S) system and product planning, development, integration, operation, threat model verification and analysis, as well as the integration and deployment of the Agency`s Distributed Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop truth framework Hardware/Software (HW/SW) and digital M&S simulation capabilities into a single, integrated, and synchronized program to assist the M&S development and acquisition of the BMDS. Interdependencies: MDA`s Modeling and Simulation (M&S) program is essential to ensuring missile defense capabilities are affordable and effective. Through the use of verified and validated models and accredited simulation systems, the MDA`s M&S program provides the cost effective means to prove and explore the performance space of the BMDS beyond what can be physically tested under current range conditions. This program enables the concept exploration and functional analyses used to assess BMDS capabilities with the M&S systems and products [e.g., MDA element M&S as well as MDA`s Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and digital frameworks as well as consistent truth and common threat engineering] providing the efficient capability to prove the missile defense capability through rigorous testing processes to include pre-test, ground test, flight test and post-test activities. Through conceptual simulation activities, M&S provides the capability to design and develop technologies to guard against future missile threats. Throughout the budget justification material, interdependencies are highlighted in order to explain fully the relationship between different parts of the proposed program and how the M&S program enables the required capabilities to meet the threat today and develop the capabilities to defeat those future threats. M&S interdependencies are key in BMDS performance evaluation strategy with models and simulations of the BMDS. These efforts require close coordination with the Operational Test Agencies (OTAs), Elements, Combatant Commands (COCOMs), Army, Air Force, and numerous MDA organizations. The mission of the MDA`s Directorate for Modeling and Simulation is 1) to execute a single, integrated, and synchronized program to manage M&S development in support of MDS`s BMDS acquisition, 2) to establish, maintain, and refine system M&S data elements and parameters to validate the BMDS M&S domain, and 3) to drive MDA test activities to collect data for use in anchoring M&S to support MDA`s goals. The FY 2011 M&S Program focused on further correction of the deficiencies stated in the 2008 Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) BMDS Assessment Report to include: - Executed BMDS scenarios that flight testing cannot assess because of geographic and safety constraints with models and simulations - Predicted system performance with the use of verified and validated models and simulations - Executed System Post-Flight Reconstructions (SPFRs) to provide empirical and prediction data to confirm system performance and to further refine and validate models and simulations. Executed System Pre-Mission Testing (SPMTs) to provide pre-test system prediction data. - Jointly developed accreditation criteria between MDA and Operational Test Agency (OTA) - Addressed the Verification and Validation (V&V) of threat models, radar models, interceptor and lethality models - Released a solicitation (Full and Open Competition) for an integrated, composable and open M&S Framework (Objective Simulation Framework, or OSF) to resolve integration challenges across the breadth of the BMDS M&S enterprise With the Director`s Priorities for FY 2013 of: 1. Enhancing Homeland Defense, 2. Enhancing Regional Defense, 3. Testing, and 4. Developing New Capabilities, the M&S objective is to evolve the various systems and products to match, as appropriate, the real world performance of the BMDS and meet Warfighter needs. In particular, MDA`s M&S systems and products provide analysis, decision-making and planning capabilities for Real-World Operations in support of the White House, Joint Staff, Services, NATO, COCOMs (EUCOM, PACOM, CENTCOM, STRATCOM [Military Utility Assessment]), Operational Test Agency (OTA), Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), and Allies. Targeted M&S activities support all aspects of BMDS development including BMDS design, Element modifications (including reliability enhancements), flight test missions, ground tests, wargames, exercises, Performance Assessments (PAs), and Technical Assessments (TAs). Models and simulations are tailored to the specific need of a component in its current stage of development, ranging from low-to-medium fidelity analyses supporting concept definitions studies, to high-fidelity models used to support engineering development. M&S Frameworks: To execute the M&S mission requires reliance on and operation of two simulation frameworks which, when combined to meet specific M&S use case and user requirements with the appropriate fidelity, forming a single Objective Simulation Architecture (OSA) to enable BMDS performance in a simulated environment. The BMDS M&S System is evolving into a fully integrated End-to-End system for all M&S uses and venues, providing a common source for truth and event control with an Initial Operational Capability. The final integrated system will merge the Single Stimulation Framework (SSF) and Digital Simulation Architecture (DSA) into one seamless M&S system that will meet both real-time and non-real time simulation needs. This combined framework, called the Objective Simulation Framework (OSF), will host all simulated activities, events, scenarios, and Element and Threat models. MDA will use the end-to-end M&S System to conduct BMDS ground tests, Performance Assessments (PAs), Technical Assessments (TAs), component training, wargames, flight tests, threat analysis, international events, and COCOM exercises. Core Truth and Common Threat Engineering (formerly PLET-C): The Core Truth Model program within MDA Directorate for Modeling and Simulation provides consistent and common Phenomenology, Lethality, Environment, Communications, and Threat capabilities for Agency M&S venues. In particular, Phenomenology models address the electro-optics and infrared of the missile hard body as well as the plume produced by the missile engines. Lethality models represent the impact of the BMDS missile kill vehicle (KV) (i.e. Ground-Based Interceptor, THAAD) on reentry vehicles (RV) with results including the percentage of destruction, and the direction and speed of the intercept debris fragments, amongst others. The Environment modeling capability provides the natural and man-made endo- and exo-atmospheric phenomena (e.g., rain, wind, sea state) to the various M&S simulations while Communication modeling addresses the representations of communications within and outside the BMDS. Finally, the common threat engineering produces common and consistent adversary trajectory and signature data to enable BMDS and sub-system concept and requirements, design, verification and assessment. Here, common threat data is used in various BMDS simulation events (e.g., flight, ground, performance assessment, warfighter training/exercises) to prove the performance of the BMDS. These threat representations are derived from the Adversary Capability Document (ACD) and Adversary Data Packages (ADP). The Threat Modeling Center (TMC) uses derivative ADP-based threat specifications to develop various missile models which are used to produce threat trajectory products in support of MDA events. After missile models are developed, the results are tested using Threat Modeling Center trajectory generation tools to ensure output trajectories match the derivative ADP reference trajectories. All TMC models receive rigorous quality control reviews in addition to Verification & Validation reviews. After these models are completed, the ADP is updated to include any additional threat specifications or changes. Testing: The distinct capabilities of the MDA`s M&S systems and products are ingrained throughout the MDA Elements and provide the Warfighter and Operational Test Agency (OTA) with an evaluation capability for individual components as well as overall M&S system-of-systems. MDA works to validate and accredits system-level models and simulations by anchoring them to real-world events to support accurate and comprehensive assessments of the BMDS. Future M&S development activities will focus on the model and simulation frameworks, BMDS Element models, as well as threat, phenomenology, lethality, communications, and environmental modeling. The success of the missile defense program is enabled by quality M&S systems and products that help prove BMDS technologies work. In particular, MDA M&S System and Product testing is based on an integrated, comprehensive, and phased test program as outlined in MDA`s Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP). Within the construct of the IMTP, MDA Element unique M&S systems, subsystems, and components are tested as part of their respective development and integration, a necessary precursor to conducting BMD System-level M&S testing (e.g., integrated ground test, performance/technical assessment venues). Resources for the planning, design, execution and management of this testing are provided in accordance with the BMDS Test Policy, as listed in the most current version of the IMTP. The MDA M&S program also supports various Allied/Coalition Partner cooperative activities, and various real-world pre- and post-flight launch analyses, and the enhanced Israeli Interceptor program.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2013
• Source ID: MD31_0603890C_4_0400_PB_2013

Tags

Readers

• Computational Modeling and Simulation
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

• Space