A 3D visual analysis tool in support of the SANDF's growing ground based air defence simulation capability

A 3D visual analysis tool has been developed to add value to the SANDF's growing Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) System of Systems simulation capability. A time based XML interface between the simulation and analysis tool, via a TCP connection or a log file, allows individual simulation objects to be wholly updated or partially modified. Live pause and review of the simulation action is supported by employing data key frames and compressed XML for enhanced performance. An innovative configurable filter tree allows visual clutter to be reduced as required and an open source scene graph (OpenSceneGraph) manages the 3D scene representation and rendering. A visualisation capability is developed for the effective presentation of the dynamic air defence system behaviour, system state transitions and inter-system communication. The visual analysis tool has successfully been applied in support of system performance experiments, tactical doctrine development and simulation support during training and live field exercises. The 3D visualisation resulted in improved situational awareness during experiment analysis, in increased involvement of the SANDF in experiment analysis and in improved credibility of analysis results presented during live or after action visual feedback sessions.