Creation of a computer generated semi-autonomous entity able to function in an amphibious environment

Abstract

The problem is that current programs used to generate Semi-Automated Forces (SAF) are unable to fully simulate amphibious military operations in littoral regions. SAF development has focused on three separate paradigms: ground, air, and sea entities. Each set of entities has very different physical behaviors. For actions in littoral regions to be completely simulated, an entity must be able to cross between the sea and ground paradigms. This type of entity is necessary to simulate an amphibious assault. The approach taken was to extend the ModSAF (Modular Semi-Automated Forces) program to include a 'low-resolution' model of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV). The behaviors necessary to simulate an amphibious assault were also added. The result of this work was the creation of a computer generated semi-automated entity able to function in an amphibious environment. In the 2D display of ModSAF, the physically based behavior of the entity was indistinguishable from a pure ground entity or a pure sea entity. Through comparisons with water and ground entities, the vehicle was shown to behave like a water vehicle in water and then to transition to, and behave like, a ground vehicle on land.