Transitioning Decision Aiding Technology to the Digitized Battlefield

The “digitized force” planned for Army XXI offers the potential for revolutionary improvements in force effectiveness. A key technology for this digitized force is the Tactical Internet, which will offer unsurpassed connectivity among all units on the battlefield. The Tactical Internet will enable a shared vision of a common relevant battlefield picture and allow easy exchange of digital orders. However, a possible spoiler is information overload - instances where crews are so overwhelmed with information that they are unable to process the data and make the correct decision. Decision Aiding technologies have been developed on the Army’s Rotorcraft Pilot’s Associate (RPA) Program to address this information overload problem. These technologies will provide the crew with the battlefield picture they need to complete their mission; continually monitor this dynamic picture for impacts to the mission plan; recommend changes to the mission plan; and help the crew execute these recommendations. The RPA Decision Aiding system architecture utilizes several features that help to ensure these capabilities can be applied to many platforms of the digitized force. These features include: encapsulating the Decision Aid within an interface layer; embedding much of the domain knowledge in data files; employing an object oriented function library and a separate control structure; and building on a foundation of COTS software and hardware technologies. This paper describes how this architecture allows the Decision Aiding functions to be inserted into the force in a manner that meets the fielding time-line goals and is cost effective. This paper will use the US Army’s Fort Knox Distributed Interactive Fire Mission (DIFM) Program at the Mounted Maneuver Battle Lab as an example of how this technology can be adapted for different platforms.