Joint Synthetic Battlspace: Cornerstone for Predictive Battlespace Awareness

Abstract : A 1995 vision statement for Air Force Modeling and Simulation highlighted the need for a Joint Synthetic Battlespace (JSB); an environment in which warfighters can train using real-world equipment, while "virtually" immersed in a realistic contingency or wartime environment. The Scientific Advisory Board has recommended the need for military information processes to be more predictive, thus enabling commanders at the strategic, operational and tactical levels to anticipate rather than react: this is referred to as "Predictive Battlespace Awareness (PBA)." This "predictive" capability must link national and military ISR platforms and bring a warfighting focus to the entire C2 enterprise. Although the term PBA is widely used, the pervasive cultural change required has not taken root. The problems faced by our decision makers have not changed much over time, namely: inability to accurately predict the course of action of an adversary or the inability to adequately "visualize" the battlespace in order to make better informed decisions. This paper provides a top level view of PBA and explores the utility of a Joint Synthetic Battlespace that would provide the "core" functionality of the PBA. The required information technologies to fully realize a JSB within the total PBA construct will also be discussed.