Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer

AFRL Improves Training With Live-Virtual-Constructive Concept
Researchers from the the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Warfighter Readiness Research Division in Mesa, Arizona, have developed a real-time, real-world, live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training capability. They hope it will ultimately improve the quality and efficiency of training for JTAC-Air Force troops operating within Army units to identify targets and coordinate close air support fighter pilots, and the Air Support Operations Centers personnel who execute battle plans. The LVC system recently linked two F-16s in flight over Arizona with two high-fidelity F-16 simulators and a new 5-meter-diameter proof-of-concept immersive simulation environment, called the Joint Terminal Attack Control Training and Rehearsal System. AFRL teamed with range instrumentation and architecture software developer Cubic Defense Applications under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to provide the interface between aircraft and ground-based systems. Data gathered from aircraft would be combined with simulator and classroom data in an all-encompassing training database from which each warfighter would construct a training plan tailored to his or her strengths and weaknesses. The LVC concept seeks to apply this competency-based training approach to live fighter cockpits so researchers can define, measure and analyze the competencies of pilots actively engaged in flying an aircraft, and The Boeing Company is taking steps toward doing just that, having modified and flown a company-owned F-15 with LVC technology onboard.

Improving Training with Live-Virtual-Constructive Concept
Researchers from the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Warfighter Readiness Research Division in Mesa, Arizona, have developed a real-time, real-world, live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training capability. They hope it will ultimately improve the quality and efficiency of training for JTACs-Air Force troops operating within Army units to identify targets and coordinate close air support-fighter pilots, and Air Support Operations Centers personnel who execute battle plans. The LVC system recently linked two F-16s in flight over Arizona with two high-fidelity F-16 simulators and a new 5-meter-diameter proof-of-concept immersive simulation environment called the Joint Terminal Attack Control Training and Rehearsal System.

AFRL teamed with range instrumentation and architecture software developer Cubic Defense Applications under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to provide the interface between aircraft and ground-based systems. Data gathered from aircraft would be combined with simulator and classroom data in an all-encompassing training database from which each warfighter would construct a training plan tailored to his or her strengths and weaknesses. The LVC concept seeks to apply this competency-based training approach to live fighter cockpits so researchers can define, measure, and analyze the competencies of pilots actively lying an aircraft, and the Boeing Company is taking steps toward doing just that, having modified and flown a company-owned F-15 with LVC technology onboard.

Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment Tool
When water quantity or water quality decisions must be made, an analysis of the watershed is fundamental to the process. Watersheds gather water from various sources-rainfall, infiltrated water, and runoff-and then typically discharge that water via streams or into a body of water such as a lake or estuary. The pathways and processes that affect this water flow are complex and derived from multiple factors that include climate, topography, soils, land cover, and land use. Numerous computer models have been developed to show how this system operates.

The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool is a multi-purpose computer system and software application used to manage water resources. AGWA is much easier to use and has many more important features for different applications than previous computer models. It can operate with existing systems and can use data from many sources that previous systems could not access.

AGWA is being used by policy makers in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop sound policies for managing water. It is also being used by almost 600 registered users, including water management districts, municipalities, and consulting firms who are assessing water flow in order to conserve water, make land use decisions, and promote water quality. Homeowners are even using the tool to help avoid flood damage. Because it has been so widely adopted, it is now the predominant water management tool of its kind.