Date posted: 01/31/2007*

Since the dawn of human reasoning, abstraction has been used to model fact. The refinement of geometric modeling accomplished by the Pythagoreans in Sicily, circa 300 B.C., provided a detailed explanation of nature and a precise foundation for classical art, architecture and masonry. A traceable evolution of abstract modeling parallels the history of physics and engineering.

With the advent of high-speed computing, abstract modeling evolved into simulation at ever-increasing levels of fidelity. Finally, the Internet has caused a revolution in virtual realization — so much so that modeling and simulation (M&S) has become a cornerstone of integrated product development and object-oriented system engineering.

Dramatic reduction in cost and risk can be realized by maintaining an M&S baseline throughout a program's life. Concept exploration, initiated with process modeling, culminates with a virtual prototype used for design and development of the actual prototype. Ultimately, the virtual prototype becomes a system model used for test and evaluation and is, oftentimes, validated as a requirement for system sell-off.

Unfortunately, the system model can be lost when the program is retired or cancelled due to software complexity and difficulty of use. Raytheon Enterprise Modeling and Simulation (EMS) is developing the architecture and open standards to retain and reuse our M&S heritage, assure enterprise-wide desktop access for analysis and demonstration and, ultimately, lead the revolution in virtual realization.

Raytheon's ID or fingerprint is represented by M&S. In the natural course of engineering rigor, Raytheon develops and maintains high fidelity validated C3ISR and weapon system M&S. In fact, Raytheon regularly contributes high fidelity M&S to prime contractors' IMAX quality visualization facilities. However, EMS is taking a different approach to large-scale mission-level virtual realization. Rather than focus on infotainment, EMS focuses on innovation: solutions derived from exhaustive assessment of alternatives, high-quality 3-D visualization of joint battlespace interoperability, mission/systems integration and acquisition confidence.

Exercise Controller (ExCon®), a control architecture that was developed for the NASA Space Station Training Facility, was extended to provide EMS with a framework for simulation integration and operation. The framework accommodates any middleware architecture and ensures essential data sharing, spatial/temporal synchronization, and faster-than-real-time advancement and pause for metric data collection and analysis. Extensive M&S reuse is realized because minimal recode and minimum adherence to legacy development standards are required for simulation integration.

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