JEFX ’99: Revolutionizing C2ISR training through virtual simulators

By Capt. Ken Kranz
39th IS/DOX
Hurlburt Field, Fla.

JEFX 99 Hypothesis: If enhanced space and air capabilities are thoroughly integrated throughout the C2 structure, down to the tactical level of the Expeditionary Aerospace Force, then joint operational objectives can be achieved quicker with less risk to friendly forces.

Although less visible than many of the JEFX ‘99 initiatives and objectives, one behind-the-scenes accomplishment will bring about a revolution in the way we accomplish C2ISR training at the tactical level. JEFX ‘99 will employ virtual simulators to provide C2ISR mission crew training in a computerized combat environment. The JEFX ‘99 simulation architecture will include mission trainers for Airborne Warning and Control Systems, JSTARS, and for the first time, RIVET JOINT.

In the spirit of spiral development, Air Intelligence Agency, Aerospace Command and Control Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Center, Air Force Material Command, and Raytheon Systems will jointly integrate the RIVET JOINT Mission Trainer into the JEFX ‘99 simulated environment.

Incorporating RIVET JOINT Mission Trainer into operational training represents a major step forward in adding realism to ISR portrayal. RIVET JOINT Mission Trainer provides an environment to achieve multiple JEFX ‘99 goals, including:

• Improved tasking, production, exploitation, and dissemination processing, analysis, and reporting of collected multi-sensor information
• Integrated collection management
• Battlespace awareness through a common operating picture
• Multi-sensor data sharing
• Integrated information operations and space control

But much more importantly, the Rivet Joint Mission Trainer initiative addresses the human element – the crew member. Whether it’s the RJ operator, the AWACS weapons controller, or the pilot in the fighter cockpit, operators will learn to work together better. Shooters will enter the battle with better situational awareness. They will defeat the threats with lower losses. They will strike their targets more precisely. They will have the flexibility to change their mission to deal with emerging or fleeting targets, but they will learn these complex skills in a simulated environment where mistakes aren’t fatal. Equipped with this knowledge, they will be able to apply these new tactics, techniques and procedures in the combat environment and come home alive.

No simulation is perfect. There is a long way to go to improve capabilities. But the challenges of today’s world dictate a change in the way we train our tactical C2ISR operators. Tremendous efforts over the last eight years have improved integration of AWACS, RIVET JOINT, and JSTARS operations as key sensors in the C2ISR weapon system. However, due to operational and training limitations, the potential impact of complete integration into the C2ISR weapon system has not been realized. High operational tempo has hampered rapid innovation in tactics, techniques, and procedures. Current training environments fall short in their ability to fully simulate the battlespace and the interactions of sensor/shooter platforms and decision-makers as part of an integrated C2 weapon system.

But there’s hope. Today’s synthetic battlespace and simulations offer an environment which can lead to unprecedented advances in the integration of C2ISR and shooter platforms in the C2 weapon system. The development of the sensor-decision maker-shooter architecture will provide tactical operations personnel the opportunity to train alongside the JFACC as well as other airborne C2ISR and tactical platforms, fostering teamwork and providing an environment to improve effective weapon system employment.

During JEFX ‘99, the Rivet Joint Mission Trainer, located at the 97th Intelligence Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb., will be linked into the simulated environment along with a JSTARS simulator at Hurlburt Field, AWACS and fighter simulators at Kirtland AFB, N.M. The threat environment, critical for realistic training, will be generated by the Air Force Information Warfare Center at Kelly AFB, Texas. The simulation architecture development is being led by personnel from the 39th Intelligence Squadron and the C2TIC, both at Hurlburt Field. Though much development to make this architecture viable remains to be done, the final product will be an architecture that will enable RIVET JOINT crews to participate in a distributed training environment for the first time alongside their tactical C2ISR counterparts, as well as operational-level decision makers, the JFACC and the AOC battlestaff. Through future BLUE FLAGs and distributed mission training events, continued improvements will be made in TTP, team skills, and platform employment. The end result: to ensure U.S. crews will enter battle with greater knowledge - more kills, more important targets destroyed faster, fewer losses, and halt the enemy faster!