Modeling & Simulation

Abstract

The mission of MDA`s Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Program is 1) to execute a single, integrated, and synchronized program to manage M&S development in support of MDA`s BMDS acquisition, 2) to establish, maintain, and refine system M&S data elements and parameters to verify and validate the BMDS M&S domain, and 3) to drive MDA test activities to collect data for use in anchoring M&S. M&S develops, sustains and delivers system-level models, frameworks, and simulations which are used to examine and evaluate BMDS performance and behaviors of the associated components and elements within a virtual simulation environment. MDA`s M&S Program assists the development and acquisition of the BMDS by providing: M&S system and product planning, development, integration, and operation; threat model verification and analysis; and integration and deployment of the Agency`s Distributed BMDS Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and digital M&S simulation capabilities as a single, integrated, and synchronized program. Interdependencies: MDA`s 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 a cost effective means to prove and explore the performance space of the BMDS beyond what can be physically tested under current test range conditions. This program enables the concept exploration and functional analyses used to assess BMDS capabilities. Through conceptual simulation activities, M&S provides the capability to design and develop technologies to hedge against future missile threats. These efforts require close coordination with the Operational Test Agencies (OTAs), MDA Program Elements, Combatant Commands (COCOMs), DoD, Joint Staff, and Military Services. In response to the 2008 Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) BMDS Assessment Report, M&S has developed and is executing Corrective Action Plans. Key tasks include: - Predicting system performance based on the use of verified and validated models and simulations. - Performing System Post-Flight Reconstructions (SPFRs) to assess the accuracy of predicted data and confirm BMDS system performance while also further refining and validating BMDS models and simulations. - Developing refined M&S accreditation criteria between MDA and Operational Test Agency (OTA). - Assessing the Verification and Validation (V&V) status of threat system models, sensor models, interceptor and lethality models. - Awarding a competitive (Full and Open Competition) development contract for an integrated, composable open M&S Framework (Objective Simulation Framework (OSF) to resolve integration challenges across the breadth of the BMDS M&S enterprise. The M&S objective is to evolve the various systems and products to incrementally improve the fidelity of the Agency`s M&S representations to match, as appropriate, the real world performance of the BMDS and meet Warfighter and Agency needs. In particular, MDA`s M&S systems and products provide analysis and decision-making and planning capabilities for Real-World Operations in support of the National Command Authority, Joint Staff, Military Services, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Combatant Commands, OTAs, Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), and Allies. Models and simulations are tailored to the specific needs of the Agency`s test events and to match BMDS components in their various stages of development, ranging from low-to-medium fidelity analyses supporting concept definitions studies, to high-fidelity models used to support engineering level activities. Execution of 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, form a single Objective Simulation Framework (OSF) to enable the simulation of the BMDS performance in a virtual environment. The BMDS M&S system is evolving into a fully integrated End-to-End system for all M&S uses and venues. 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 analysis, Threat Analysis, International Event Simulations, and to support COCOM exercises. The Core Truth Modeling program provides consistent and common Phenomenology, Lethality, Environment, and Threat capabilities for Agency M&S venues. Phenomenology models address missile hard body optical and infrared signatures, 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, Standard Missile-3 (SM-3), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)) on reentry vehicles (RVs). Lethality results include percentage of destruction and direction and speed of debris fragments. Environment modeling provides a representation of natural and man-made endo and exo-atmospheric conditions (e.g., rain, wind, sea state) for simulations. The common threat engineering capability produces adversary trajectory and signature data to enable design, verification, and assessment of the BMDS and associated Components concepts and requirements. 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). MDA`s M&S capabilities, systems and products are in use throughout the BMDS and provide the Warfighter and Operational Test Agencies (OTAs) the capability to evaluate both the BMDS and individual components. MDA works to validate and accredit system-level models and simulations by anchoring them to ground and flight test events to support accurate and comprehensive assessments of the BMDS. The success of the missile defense program is enabled by quality M&S systems and products that help to demonstrate how 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 Israel Cooperative Programs.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2014
• Source ID: MD31_0603890C_4_0400_PB_2014

Tags

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• Space