Creating virtual environments for evaluating human-machine teaming
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Authors
Brutzman, Donald P.
Fitzpatrick, Christian
Subjects
Virtual Environments (VE)
Virtual Reality (VR)
X3D Graphics
SPIDERS3D
IEEE Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS)
Protocol
Live Virtual Constructive (LVC)
MUM-T
Virtual Reality (VR)
X3D Graphics
SPIDERS3D
IEEE Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS)
Protocol
Live Virtual Constructive (LVC)
MUM-T
Advisors
Date of Issue
2019-12-18
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
With the emergence of robots on the battlefield, it is critical for the Marine Corps to tactically integrate existing unmanned assets with manned systems during Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations. In parallel, the Marine Corps must also look forward to identify capability gaps that future unmanned systems might address. To do both requires extensive field testing, which is often unfeasible and always costly. This effort proposes the use of virtual environments (VE), virtual reality (VR) and agent-based modeling to conduct scenario-based assessments of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) during combat operations. To pursue such goals, the project examined a variety of relevant tactical scenarios where Marines and robots act in concert to achieve specific mission objectives. Such tactical scenarios are further assessed using deterministic combat simulations to create a valid methodology for behavior creation and assessment within each scenario-specific problem space. Support for a complete range of combat simulations was determined as a necessary part of VE design explorations since specific MUM-T tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) are expected to co-evolve constantly as sensor, communication and vehicle capabilities continue to improve. Such diversity was supported through establishment of the MOVES Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) Laboratory for diverse simulation tools. Additionally two general approaches for the coordination of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) behaviors were considered, each beginning with a high-level description of expected behaviors. Completion of the goal tasks indicates that combined human-robot teams have achieved a desired world state. This research surveyed a large variety of combat models and visualization tools to create the best and broadest possible environment for Marine Corps decision-makers to understand the complexity and warfighting value of the MUM-T battlespace. Even more broadly, shared VEs can potentially be used during force-development efforts to plan for the integration of human-machine teams into Naval combat forces. As the DoD is generally unfamiliar with such operations but is eagerly anticipating their development, it is quite clear that the use of live, virtual, constructive (LVC) simulations to wargame these capabilities becomes fundamental for all progress. Ultimately such human-machine teaming co-development is the critical path needed to expand Navy/Marine capabilities and avoid Navy/Marine vulnerabilities.
Type
Technical Report
Description
NPS NRP Technical Report
Series/Report No
Department
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS-MV-20-001
Sponsors
Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL)
Funder
This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrp
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Format
107 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.