Process

The SAL brings together people, process and supporting software in order to best satisfy requirements and solve problems. How this is achieved is best illustrated by outlining the broad process the SAL employs.

Problem Identification and Definition

There are two distinct steps in the process. Firstly it is important to properly identify the problem by working closely with customer. Secondly, it is important to define and bound the problem. An incorrectly understood problem will lead to an incorrect solution and wasted analytical effort. The SAL employs proven techniques and tools to facilitate this fundamental step in the process.

Analytical Plan / Approach

Once the problem is stated and understood, an analytical plan is developed to solve the problem. It should be noted that all steps in this process are closely reviewed in consultation with the customer / decision maker being supported. This ensures transparency and enables the customer to easily accept the eventual outcomes of the process.

Simulation / Model Construction

SAL analyses involve some level of representation of the real world system in which the problem exists. An example problem might be determining the effectiveness of a given warfighting concept under specified conditions. Usually this will require high fidelity constructive simulation, and would be built by the SAL operations analysts with expert input from the customer community if required.

Simulation Tools

The SAL operates a variety of simulation packages and computer models (COTS, GOTS, Boeing proprietary and customer specific) spanning Computer Generated Forces, Logistics Analysis, Wide Area Surveillance and Communications Models and other tools to represent the military environment being analysed. The BASE distributed simulation and analysis environment brings together the different domain model types listed above and provides a single space in which analysis can be conducted. This removes the requirement for different analytical groups to examine different parts of a single problem space, for example ability to task the SAL to do both the logistics requirements to support a given mission and examination of the resulting force effectiveness.

Simulation / Model Execution

This step involves the construction and execution of simulation-based experiments and is facilitated by the BASE. A military example would involve specified missions being constructed and alternative options run many times to generate results data for comparative analysis. A non-military example would be simulating High Frequency (HF) communications coverage of several different HF systems approaches to generate comparative results data sets.

BASE ensures data is collected, managed consistently and configuration controlled across experiments for multiple analysts. It also organises data collected from multiple simulation sources and ensures it is kept in logical order for the rest of the BASE toolset to use its analysis capabilities.

Software: BASE Command & Simulation Tools and Computer Models

 

Results Analysis

Depending on the problem being addressed and the analytical approach defined earlier, this step may involve the application of many analytical techniques. To speed and simplify this part of the process, BASE incorporates a range of functionality designed to enhance understanding complex analysis across graphical and numeric environments. BASE has significantly reduced the time to insight into complex problems and environments.

BASE Debrief - Realtime allows real time analysis of running simulations. Together with the BASE 3D display, this provides a visual analytical environment allowing analysts to interpret and analyse complex situations during simulation execution.

A more detailed analysis is then carried out using BASE Analyst. As with BASE Debrief Realtime, this tool is used to examine the consolidated data from all of the simulation tools used in the distributed simulation environment. BASE Analysts graphing, 2 and 3D visualisation capability, statistical functionality and other advanced features allow rapid and thorough understanding of complex simulations. Importantly, it provides a single point interface through which total problem examination and exploration can occur, without the analyst having to know each of the simulation tools used.

Software: BASE Debrief Real-time and BASE Analyst

 

Solutions / Analytical Outcomes

The SAL provides a unique presentation and 3D visualisation facility that simplifies complex results to aid in rapid customer understanding of analytical outcomes. In addition to using the presentation facility, the SAL provides interactive results CD's containing tailored analytical reports and presentations supported by 2 and 3D visualisations, graphs, pictures, tables, process diagrams etc.

Conclusion

The final result for the customer is rapid, robust analysis that provides enhanced decision support. It provides a foundation on which customers can readily return to examine different elements of a problem and more fully explore complex issues, all with a shorter response time and in a single environment. In addition, examination of extended experimental options has a much faster turn around time than other environments due to the extensive reusability of analysis conducted within the BASE environment.