Enemy tanks rumble from out of the cover of a stand of pine, surprising a passing infantry platoon. A reconnaissance plane flying sentry overhead radios the coordinates of the enemy armor to a destroyer patrolling the nearby coastline. The destroyer unleashes a volley of shells that reduces the tanks to scrap metal. The infantry commander calls in thanks to the crews of the plane and destroyer and then continues the unit's march to the front lines.

But there are no real crews, nor planes nor ships nor enemy tanks. The artillery strike was in fact a seamlessly coordinated simulation knitting together the modeling systems of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Advancements in simulation technology are providing our military branches new opportunities to train in concert. However, these opportunities are lost if the simulation systems of the branches can not communicate with each other. A type of software called Run-time infrastructure (RTI) allows simulations and models to share information. But for simulation and modeling systems to communicate through an RTI, their architecture must be based on the same standards.

Seven-year Success Story

To help the Department of Defense (DOD) improve the interoperability of its simulation systems, MITRE undertook the task of developing high level architecture (HLA) standardization for models and simulations. Recently, MITRE completed this long-spanning project with the successful transfer of its High Level Architecture Run-Time Infrastructure Verification Testing System to the Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory.

"This technology transition is the culminating milestone in MITRE's seven-year effort to establish the HLA as the modeling and simulation architecture for DOD simulations," says Susan Symington, the High Level Architecture Run-Time Infrastructure Verification project leader for the past two years. "Transferring this technology to a third party that can provide an ongoing operational testing service is a major step toward ensuring the long-term success of the HLA."

Setting the Standard

In 1991 the DOD tapped MITRE to develop and test the first prototype of the HLA. "MITRE was able to undertake the HLA standards project because of our core qualities: objectivity, concern for the public interest, and technical depth," explains Frederick Kuhl, a senior principal software systems engineer who served as a technical representative on the project.

The HLA sets a common standard for modeling and simulation systems. This allows the various military services—in this country, in NATO, and in other nations—as well as civilian institutions to combine and compare existing simulations and models. Simulations and models currently being employed by the military include:

• Joint Semi-Automated Forces, an application for simulating training scenarios.
• Joint Training Confederation, eight simulations interoperating to provide an integrated training environment.
• Millennium Challenge 2002, a joint integrating event, bringing together both live field exercises and computer simulation.

A Partnership with Industry

To develop HLA standards that would meet the needs of industry as well as the DOD, MITRE spearheaded standardization efforts under the auspices of two groups. One effort, chaired by Symington, was conducted within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, an international technical professional association. The other effort, in which Kuhl was involved, was carried out within the Object Management Group, a consortium made up mostly of computer companies concerned with producing and maintaining specifications for interoperable enterprise applications.

Once MITRE had led both groups to a consensus on the standards, commercial efforts arose to capitalize on the agreement. We realized that wide adoption of the HLA standards would drive down the costs and boost the interoperability of models and simulations. Therefore, we made the HLA-related software tools MITRE had developed freely available to both government agencies and commercial enterprises.

Putting the Standards to the Test

With commercial versions of HLA RTI software in development, verification testing was needed to ensure that all the software would be in compliance with the newly established standards. The Defense Modeling and Simulation Office directed MITRE to develop an independent testing facility.

"RTI verification sets the standard by which commercial companies compete to serve the DOD," says consulting engineer Richard Weatherly, who led MITRE's initial efforts in developing the HLA Standards. "RTI verification will help create a commercial marketplace so the DOD can purchase simulation software rather than develop it from scratch."

The design and development of the High Level Architecture Run-Time Infrastructure Verification Testing System software required a wide variety of MITRE's technical talents. Utilizing these talents, we invented the testing language and engineered a prototype. We then guided the transformation of the prototype into an operational system that has proven its effectiveness in the certification of more than 30 RTIs built by developers from three different continents.

We are already incorporating knowledge gained from the HLA project into other endeavors. The DOD's Simulation Interoperability Test Harness (SITH), a tool for development, diagnostics, and monitoring, is based on the Verification Testing System. Originally developed to support the integration and testing of simulation systems, the SITH now supports multiple federation object models and RTI implementations.

Passing the Torch

With the Verification Testing System completed, tested, and operational, the time had come for the final step: transferring the system to an independent third party.

"Preparing the Verification Testing System for technology transfer was a major effort," says senior software systems engineer Mike Shadid, who shepherded the process. "The system includes a complex piece of software that supports a large number of computing platforms in order to test different RTIs. This system was repackaged and extensively documented so that it could be transferred to a third-party testing organization for long-term operational use in support of our sponsor's mission. We did a lot of work to ensure that the technology transfer would happen smoothly."

The finishing touches in the technology transition process included making the system more user-friendly, crafting documentation, developing training materials, and holding a series of hands-on seminars for the Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory engineering staff. Finally, on February 18, 2004, the transfer was completed.

Keeping in Step with Technology

In basic training, new recruits are taught to march in step with their fellow soldiers: A unit is at its strongest when all its members are in stride. So too is a nation's military, which is why MITRE's technology transition of the High Level Architecture Run-Time Infrastructure Verification Testing System is such a vital step in not only securing the system's long-term success and stability, but in helping the DOD develop and establish consensus on technology standards.

—by Christopher Lockheardt

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