Managing Communication Resources in Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training Environments

Due to the increasing complexity of the operational environment, the military training community is compelled to advance the science of training and simulation technologies. Tactical communications represent one of the focus areas currently under development. Efficiently integrating tactical voice traffic between live radios communicating over radio frequencies (RF) and virtual/simulated radios communicating over a digital network remains one of the key challenges to the military training community. Emerging methodologies and recent technological developments have led researchers to the development of prototype capabilities aimed at improving techniques for bridging live and virtual communications. This paper begins with an overview of military simulation and training tools, and the definition of key terms. A brief history of simulation and training systems specifically focused on tactical communications follows. The paper then summarizes current tactical voice communication training practices. A detailed discussion about the Integrated Live to Virtual Communications Server (ILVCS) presents a research and development prototype technology, developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, which addresses key challenges faced by the current practice. A use case description illuminates system, hardware, and software architectures presented. Finally, laboratory integration and testing results lead to an assessment of potential impact and recommendations for future deployment.