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Training & Simulation 2002: Using COTS Products to Build Collective Skills: a really interesting 5 page article as it looks at the value of COTS military rotary-wing flight simulations for the US army. The article says COTS may be useful in the following four areas: * tactics * techniques * battle drills * analysis of course of actions The article concludes: 'Some would consider the use of computer games for military training purposes as thinking 'out of the box' (unconventional thinking). Computer games appear to have potential as complementary training tools for existing and future training systems. With dwindling resources, we should at least consider the myriad possibilities that COTS simulations have to offer. [not online] *********************************************************** Maps To Information Superiority The Rapid Terrain Visualization Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration This briefing in World War II was recounted by British Field Marshall William Slim: "The brigadier named four separate sheets of the one-inch map, and you are to imagine a half a dozen field officers in a restricted space, each trying to fit together four squares of paper. Some seated themselves and tried to spread them over their knees, some to hold them against the wall. ... There was such a rustling, flapping, and crackling, such an undertone of cursing, that we missed the paragraph of the order headed, 'Information, our own and enemy forces.' " Some might say "What's changed?" But it is going to take more than paper maps to achieve our goal of information superiority. It will require high-resolution, digital topographic data. Also, that data must be readily available for any crisis region-a tall order since we don't know where that will be. And that data must be depicted so that our forces can visualize the battlespace rapidly and then act fast. Enter something called the "Rapid Terrain Visualization Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration." http://www.afji.com/ISR/Mags/2002/Issue3/maps.html *********************************************************** Joint Information Interoperability Data-Sharing Deficiencies Among The Services Require Top-Level Attention R. Adm. Robert M. Nutwell, USN-Ret., and Paul D. Szabados The Defense Department has made encouraging progress in the area of Joint Information Interoperability since the Joint Staff (J6) created the "C4I for the Warrior" program nearly 10 years ago. For example, the Global Command and Control System (GCCS) was deployed to all commanders-in-chief (CinCs) and Joint Task Force headquarters, and the joint tactical data link (Link 16) is being fielded. The Joint Interoperability Coordinating Officer concept was implemented and a Link 16 training course and an interim standard for collaboration tools were established. Recent operations in Afghanistan have demonstrated satisfactory interoperability between target spotters on the ground and attack aircraft, except in cases involving human error. Despite this progress, there is abundant evidence that major deficiencies remain in Joint Information Interoperability that could significantly impede high-intensity joint operations by the military services. This assessment is based on the results of All Service Combat Identification Evaluation Team tests, CinC assessments, and lessons learned from exercises and real-world operations. http://www.afji.com/AFJI/Mags/2002/June/jointinfo.html *********************************************************** Challenges To US National Security The War on Terrorism: Protecting America's Land And Maritime Frontiers General Barry R. McCaffrey, USA-Ret. America's land and maritime frontiers lie largely unprotected from the continuing massive threat of terrorism, dangerous drugs, and the illegal entry of criminal aliens hidden among the millions of migrants who seek freedom and economic opportunity. Our lack of maritime and land border security forces and infrastructure limits us to depending on counter-terrorism point defense by local law enforcement authorities to safeguard our 52,000 key US critical installations. Our border vulnerabilities will also force us to depend on the post-attack damage consequence-management capabilities of FEMA and the National Guard. The probability of successful attacks by terrorists is likely to remain extremely high during the coming years because of these weaknesses in our border security agencies. http://www.afji.com/AFJI/Mags/2002/July/viewpoint.html *********************************************************** Eyes And Ears In Space Europeans Develop New Space Reconnaissance And Communications Satellites Nicholas Fiorenza New satellites will improve European reconnaissance and communications capabilities as the European Rapid Reaction Force (ERRF) approaches full strength. France is upgrading its strategic reconnaissance capabilities with a new generation of Helios satellites, and Germany is acquiring such capabilities for the first time. This opens the possibility for Franco-German cooperation in satellite reconnaissance. Both Helios I and II already involve cooperation among France and other European countries. The Europeans also use civilian satellites for reconnaissance. Another civilian satellite system with military implications is Galileo, which has finally received the go-ahead and will be a European alternative to the US Ground Positioning System (GPS). http://www.afji.com/AFJI/Mags/2002/July/eyes.html *********************************************************** IWS INFOCON Mailing List @ IWS - The Information Warfare Site http://www.iwar.org.uk
