COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT TRAINING SIMULATION SYSTEM 2.0 CSSTSS 2.0

Allen T.Irwin

Chief Engineer, CSSTSS 2.0 Project
Science Applications International Corporation
3045 Technology Parkway
Orlando, FL 32826
Al_Irwin@cpqm.saic.com

ABSTRACT

CSSTSS 2.0 is a large-scale computer based system which is intended to provide for the training of U. S. Army Combat Service Support (CSS) and selected Combat Support (CS) commanders and their subordinate staffs. The system will simulate combat and combat support activity to create requirements for selected CS and CSS. Simulated selected CS and CSS activity will be driven by the decisions and orders of the training audience. CSSTSS 2.0 will be an integrated system composed of role players and controllers, input/output devices, computers and software. This paper provides a brief description of the development of CSSTSS 2.0, its hardware and software, and the schedule for the project.

I. OVERVIEW

CSSTSS 2.0 is a large-scale computer based system which is intended to provide for the training of U. S. Army Combat Service Support (CSS) and selected Combat Support (CS) commanders and their subordinate staffs. The system will permit exercise of command and control procedures for effective interaction of selected CS and CSS functions. CSSTSS 2.0 will stimulate selected CS and CSS command and control activity in a realistically simulated, stress-filled environment representative of the modern battlefield. The system will simulate combat and combat support activity to create requirements for selected CS and CSS. Simulated selected CS and CSS activity will be driven by the decisions and orders of the training audience.

CSSTSS 2.0 is being developed as a successor to an earlier version, CSSTSS 1.X, which is in use at Fort Lee, Virginia. CSSTSS 2.0 is intended to add enhanced capabilities, and to overcome limitations of the 1.X version. CSSTSS 2.0 is being developed in Ada in compliance with MIL-STD-2167A under contract to the US Army STRICOM. It is being developed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) at its facility in Orlando, Florida. Major subcontractors include Lockheed's Austin Division, CAE-Link of Binghamton, NY, and Information Technology Solutions (ITS) of Portsmouth, VA.

II. SYSTEM CONCEPT

CSSTSS 2.0 is composed of three major elements. The first of these is the training audience, which consists of the logistical command and staff personnel at division, corps and echelons above corps. The training audience may also include command and staff elements of selected combat service support battalions and companies. The selected trainees are situated in their operational setting, as in a command post exercise. When they issue orders or receive reports they are communicating with the second element of CSSTSS 2.0, the exercise control group (ECG). The ECG consists of role players and controllers. The role players play the part of the subordinate elements of the training audience, and the controllers interface with the third element of CSSTSS 2.0, the computer simulation.

The computer simulation provides a real-time representation of a theater of operations, from the ports of debarkation, all the way to the front lines. 3000 simulated units are represented on the battlefield, portraying both red and blue forces. The simulation portrays not only the actions of the logistical support elements, but also the combat elements as well. It is a full-freedom, two- sided combat model, capable of representing the actions of modern forces on the air-land battlefield.

III. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION

To take advantage of the already installed base of equipment represented by the Corps Battle Simulation (CBS) suites, CSSTSS 2.0 has been designed to run on the same basic hardware configuration. The configuration consists of a DEC VAX 6000 networked with 13 MicroVAX 3100 computers. The latter support a total of 39 workstations. Each workstation has 3 alphanumeric terminals, a graphics terminal and a printer. The graphics terminal is capable of showing tactical symbology superimposed on a map background. The controllers use the workstation terminals to interface with the simulation, issuing orders to simulated units and receiving reports.

IV. CSSTSS 2.0 SOFTWARE

In addition to the VMS operating system, the design incorporates a SYBASE Database Management System and the LUIS and SMS user interface support packages. CSSTSS 2.0 developmental software has been designed using an object oriented approach. It is divided into Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCIs) representing the major areas of responsibility (or domains) of the user community as well as the principal simulation support domains. Each of the CSCIs is briefly described in the following paragraphs.

A. SB.System_Build - This CSCI is responsible for the initial phase of exercise preparation. It provides for the load and modification of the external terrain and Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) files, the definition of the force structure (troop list) and the supported/ supporting relationships. It also supports the modification of the Played Items List (PIL).

B. GC.Ground_Combat - This CSCI controls the simulated combat and combat support units and executes combat mission orders. This CSCI controls ground engagements and indirect fire support.

C. AO.Air_Operations - This CSCI controls simulated air units; executes air mission orders; simulates air missions, air defense, aviation support, and air to ground combat; and prepares air operations reports.

D. CD.Combat_Damage_Assessment - This CSCI is responsible for the determination of combat, combat support, and combat service support losses due to enemy engagements, obstacles, and air operations. Combat Damage Assessment (CDA) determines losses to personnel, equipment, and supplies.

E. AM.Ammunition - This CSCI establishes consumption rates and Requisitioning Objectives (ROs); assigns and allocates simulated ammunition units and assets; and prepares ammunition mission orders. It also manages, requisitions, receives, stores, and issues ammunition, as well as prepares ammunition reports.

F. MV.Movement - This CSCI provides the capability to move simulated units by air, water and land in the simulated training battlefield; calculates detection between red and blue forces; models terrain and environment effects that affect movement; and prepares movement reports.

G. RC.Reactor_Controller - This CSCI provides the graphic and alphanumeric capabilities which support the human machine interface at the workstations. It provides the capability to display menus, reports, and to obtain user/controller inputs to the simulation. It provides the capability to display graphic symbology superimposed on a map background. Several screen support functions such as declutter are also provided.

H. TR.Transportation - This CSCI controls simulated transportation units and prepares transportation mission orders. It also manages transportation data, status, and movement control; simulates transportation activities; and prepares transportation reports.

I. SS.Simulation_Services - This CSCI consists of three separate but basic entities of the CSSTSS software. These entities are the Common Unit entity, the Distributed Simulation Executive entity, and the Simulation Utilities entity. The Common Unit entity provides capabilities that are inherited as common services and data by each application CSCI. The Distributed Simulation Executive entity provides task execution and related services that also are inherited as services and data by each application CSCI. The Simulation Utilities entity provides utility-based elements in the CSSTSS such as diagnostic, database interface, and event logging capabilities.

J. PS.Personnel_Services_Support - This CSCI controls simulated personnel units. This CSCI also performs strength management, replacement operations, casualty management, and preparation of personnel reports.

K. GR.Graves_Registration - This CSCI controls simulated mortuary affairs units. It simulates the receipt, processing, evacuation and burial of remains, and prepares mortuary affairs reports.

L. MD.Medical - This CSCI controls simulated medical units. It is responsible for the receipt, accounting, treatment, and evacuation of medical patients; the receipt, storage, and issue of medical supplies; and the preparation of medical reports. This CSCI also generates Disease Non-Battle Injury (DNBI) casualties for all units.

M. ES.Engineer_Support - This CSCI controls simulated engineer units. This CSCI also performs simulation of horizontal and vertical engineer construction activities as operations of mobility, countermobility, survivability, and general engineering, and prepares engineer reports.

N. MP.Military_Police - This CSCI controls simulated military police units. This CSCI also manages the evacuation and security of Enemy Prisoners of War (EPWs), rear area security, and battlefield circulation control, and prepares military police reports.

O. SP.Supply - This CSCI is responsible for the order and reorder of supplies; setting stock quantities and types; and control of simulated supply units and facilities. This CSCI is also responsible for the receipt, storage, and issue of supplies, as well as supply report preparation.

P. MN.Maintenance - This CSCI controls simulated maintenance units. It receives and repairs equipment as well as prepares maintenance reports.

Q. PL.Petroleum_Oil_and_Lubricants - This CSCI controls simulated Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) units. This CSCI receives, stores, issues, and distributes POL, as well as prepares POL reports.

R. RO.Rear_Operations - This CSCI is an interface between the Exercise Control Group (ECG) and the Master Scenario Event List (MSEL). This CSCI allows the ECG to enter and execute events in the MSEL.

S. NB.Nuclear_Biological_and_Chemical - This CSCI controls simulated Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) units and resources for NBC operations. It simulates the effects of NBC strikes; reconnaissance, decontamination, and smoke operations; issues warnings; and prepares reports.

V. SCHEDULE

CSSTSS 2.0 completed the first of three scheduled Critical Design Reviews in February 1994. A series of incremental software tests are scheduled to begin in July 1994 leading to full system integration and test. The development and operational testing will continue in 1995 leading to a planned installation and acceptance of the first CSSTSS 2.0 training site in December of 1995.