Technical Report 629

A Multipurpose Arcade

Combat Simulator (MACS)

James E. Schroeder

ARI Field Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia

Training Research Laboratory

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*U S. Army SJL49~

Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social SciencesD

April 1984

Approved for oublic release, distribution unlim ted.

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Technical Report 629

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A MULTIPURPOSE ARCADE COMBAT SIMULATOR (MACS) July 82 - Mar 83

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James E. Schroeder

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Arcade Simulation Video

Marksmanship Simulator Weapons training

Microcomputer Trainer

M0. AMTACT (Ctme meem eE t ,f ,0.e0v S enuli by block IMON4r)

The purpose of the present paper is to describe the Multipurpose Arcade Combat

Simulator (11ACS) currently being developed by the Army Research Institute, Fort

Benning Field Unit. MACS represents a low-cost training/simulation alternative

which can eventually be adapted to a variety of weapon systems. Currently, the

hardware consists of a microcomputer, disk drives, Pascal language card, joy

sticks, a light pen, and dummy weapons. The light pen has been fitted with

corrective lenses in order that accurate readings can be taken at a range of 10

ft. The light pen currently can be mounted to either a dummy M16AI rifle or an

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expended M72A2 Light Antitank Weapon (LAW). The system provides immediate

'visual and auditory feedback of hit/miss shot location. In addition, the

system can provide training in traditionally difficult to train areas such as

the effects of wind and moving target engagement. Current and planned training software are discussed in detail. Other possible advantages of the MACS

system which are addressed in this paper include cost savings, weapon training for components with limited ranges (e.g., ROTC, USAEUR, and Reserve Components), implications for mobilization, and the additional training flexibility

provided by the MACS system.

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Technical Report 629

A Multipurpose Arcade

Combat Simulator (MACS)

James E. ,ichroeder

Submitted by

Seward Smith, Chief

ARI Field Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia

Approved as technically" adequate

and submitted for publication by

Harold F. O'Neil, Jr., Director

Training Research Laboratory

U.S. ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

5001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22333-5600

Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel

Department of the Army

April 1984

Army Project Number Education and Training

20263743A794

Approwd for public release; distribution unlimited.

iii

....... .. .................................... .,....: ,.......... . .........
ARI Research Reports and Technical Reports are intended for sponsors of

R&D tasks and for other research and military agencies. Any findings ready

for implementation at the time of publication are presented in the last part

of the Brief. Upon completion of a major phase of the task, formal recommendations for official action normally are conveyed to appropriate military

agencies by briefing or Disposition Form.

iv
FOREWORD

This paper presents a new concept in low-cost, part-task simulator/trainers

called the Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS). When compared with

other currently available simulator/trainers, it is very low in cost and can be

constructed from off-the-shelf components. The system is not dedicated to one

weapon. Rather, it is flexible enough to potentially simulate/train several

different weapons in addition to running other computer-assisted instruction

programs. Because of its low cost and flexibility, the system has great

potential for mass-training in the case of mobilization, training in units where

live-fire ranges are not available, and training when ammunition is not

available or ammunition costs are too high. The present paper describes the

MACS system and the software development effort. Other reports on the training

effectiveness of the MACS system are forthcoming.

EDGAR M. JOHNSON

Technical Director

V
A MULTIPURPOSE ARCADE COMBAT SIMULATOR (MACS)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Requirement:

This report describes a low-cost, part-task simulator/trainer named the

Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS). This system is currently being

developed and tested by the US Army Research Institute, Fort Benning Field Unit.

Procedure:

A number of training programs are described. Currently, MACS software

exists for training marksmanship on the M16A1 Rifle and the M72A2 Light Antitank

Weapon (LAW). In addition, other software development is planned and

descriptions of programs are included in the present paper.

Findings:

The MACS system has the potential of providing low-cost training on a

number of different weapons. MACS also offers a strong motivational component

when programmed with a point system like an arcade game. In addition, MACS

offers marksmanship training enhancements which have been traditionally

difficult to provide such as the effects of wind and gravity on the projectile,

immediate feedback about hit/miss location, lead rules for moving targets, and

diagnosis of steady position, trigger jerk, and other shooting problems.

Utilization of Findings:

Research is currently underway to determine the training effectiveness of

the MACS system. If training on the MACS system results in positive transfer to

live fire or is positively correlated with live fire, then MACS will be an

effective vehicle for training, evaluation, and the prediction of future

marksmanship performance. The MACS system offers the advantages of low cost and

flexibility. In addition, MACS is especially appropriate for units with no

access to live-fire ranges, or in situations where ammunition is unavailable or

very expensive.

vii
A MULTIPURPOSE ARCADE COMBAT SIMULATOR (MACS)

CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION...................................1

CURRENT MACS HARDWARE..................................2

CURRENT AND FUTURE SOFTWARE............................2

M16AI Rifle Software.............................5

M72A2 LAW Software................................7

DISCUSSION....................................8

REFERENCES......................................9

TABLES

Table 1. Other Potential MACS Applications...............3

FIGURES

Figure 1. Hardware configuration for the MACS system consisting of

microcomputer and disk drives, TV monitor, dummy weapon,

and long distance light pen...................4

ix
A MULTIPURPOSE ARCADE COMBAT SIMULATOR (MACS)

INTRODUCTION

The proliferation of microcomputers and accompanying software is steadily

increasing while corresponding costs are showing substantial reductions.

Consequently, the Army is increasing its efforts to capitalize on the high work

capabilities offered by the new technology at a relatively low cost. Two

application areas with exceptional potential are training and simulation. The

purpose of the present paper is to describe and discuss a low-cost

training/simulation system being developed by the Army Research Institute, Fort

Benning Field Unit. The Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS) system has

been configured to be flexible and to fully exploit microcomputer technology.

At the core of the MACS system is a microcomputer, disk drive(s) (for data

and program storage), and a monitor, all of which can be purchased

off-the-shelf. This basic system can utilize any of the existing software

packages which are currently available (e.g., word processing, management aids,

decision-making aids, self-improvement programs, data-reduction software, etc.).

The basic system could also presumably run any computer-assisted instruction

(CAI) software which has been developed or is currently being developed. Also,

with the addition of a commercial videodisc player, the system can utilize any

CAI/videodisc training programs being developed or already available (e.g.,

Schroeder, Dyer, Czerny, Gillotti, & Youngling, 1982 and Young & Tosti, 1981).

With the addition of other hardware and software, the system can provide a

truly flexible and unique Army training capability. A light pen is an

electronic device that reads the raster scan on a monitor and determines the X

and Y locations on the monitor signifying where the light pen is pointed.

Traditionally, light pens have been used in close physical proximity to the

monitor (e.g., a student might use a light pen to select an alternative on a

multiple choice question). Such applications are usually made for two reasons:

(a) to give the student a simple way of interacting with the computer and (b) to

prevent the student from interacting with the computer's keyboard and possibly

damaging the hardware or bombing the program. With an additional corrective

lens, the light pen can be moved to more distant locations and, when attached to

certain weapon systems (e.g., the Ml6Al rifle), can provide a tool for

relatively low-cost training and simulation. By utilizing high resolution

graphics, this relatively simple system can enhance regular training by

providing simulated sight pictures, realistic targets and backgrounds, and most

important from a training standpoint, precise feedback about hit/miss location.

The possible addition of an industrial videodisc player to the system adds the

potential for even more realistic training. Also, certain training topics which

have traditionally been difficult or impossible might be accomplished with the

MACS system (e.g., the effects of wind and gravity, moving target engagement,

etc.). Additionally, with creative programming, the training could be

structured to create an arcade game atmosphere with: levels of difficulty; a

point system; realistic targets and background; and various field situations

leading up to and including an actual combat defense scenario similar to that

provided by IRETS (Infantry Remoted Engagement Target System), for live fire.

• - ',. "d i .' " -- " -- = .= a .', ,;'" ' + " -:" " , '
Finally, the proposed system could be multipurpose (in addition to the

flexibility discussed earlier), because the light pen could conceivably be

attached to and "fired from" a number of potential weapon systems besides the

Ml6AI rifle (see Table 1 for a list of potential weapons). It must be

emphasized that the weapons listed in Table 1 represent only a potential list.

For each weapon listed, further investigation is needed to determine whether the

MACS system is appropriate. Although the purpose of the present paper is to

present the MACS concept, a certain amount of development has been done by the

present author. This work has been preliminary and exploritory for the most

part. At the present time, no data have been collected to determine the

system's actual training capabilities, although such research is planned. In

the next section of this paper, the current hardware configuration is presented.

In the third section of this paper, the software that has been completed along

with software currently under development will be described. In the final

section, some possible implications of the MACS training/simulation system for

Army training will be discussed.

CURRENT MACS HARDWARE

Currently, the MACS hardware is configured with an Apple II+ microcomputer

with two disk drives, a Sony monitor, a Symtec light pen that has been modified

with corrective lenses so that it can accurately read the monitor at 10 ft., an

Apple Language Card with Pascal language software, and a deactivated "dummy"

MI6A1 rifle. Also, an expended M72A2 Light Antitank Weapon (LAW) has been

modified to be used with the system. For both the M16AI rifle and the LAW,

electronic switches have been wired to the trigger mechanisms (see Figure 1).

The above hardware was selected primarily because it was available.

Currently, other manufacturers and configurations are being considered. The

primary consideration for the microcomputer will be dependability, low cost,

graphics capability, and quality of the graphics. The primary considerations

for the light pen are reliability, low cost, and accuracy. Resolution and low

cost are the main considerations for the monitor.

CURRENT AND FUTURE SOFTWARE

The software developed to date addresses two different weapons: the M16A1

rifle and the M72A2 LAW. For both applications, small training programs have

been consolidated into large programs which provide the student access to any

desired scenarios. When a large program is executed, the first thing the

student must do is zero the weapon. If the system is primed for the M16AI

rifle, the student zeros the weapon by firing five rounds at the center of mass

on an "E" type silhouette target (see Osborne, Schroeder, & Heller, 1980), that

has been scaled to appear to be 100 m when the shooter is 3 m from the monitor.

If the system is programmed for the LAW, the student zeros by firing five rounds

at the center of mass of a tank target which has been scaled to appear to be 175

m when the student is 3 m from the monitor. In either case, the student is not

shown the location of the hits or misses until after the five rounds have been

fired. The reason for witholding feedback about shot location is that the

student might practice hold-off, and hence, defeat the purpose of the zeroing

procedure. During the zeroing procedure, the computer determines the average X

and Y locations for the five shots and then places the center of that shot group

2
Table 1

Other Potential MACS Applications

M60 Machinegun

M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)

.50 Caliber Machinegun

Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle M231 Firing Port Weapon

M203 Grenade Launcher

M202AI Incendiary Rocket Launcher (FLASH)

Dragon

m72A2 Light Antitank Weapon (LAW)

TOW

Pistol

Mortar

3
10

Figure 1. Hardware configuration for the MACS system consisting of

microcomputer and disk drives, TV monitor, dummy weapon, * and long distance light pen.

4

[ - • ................ ... .. tI.i III 1ii
0

on the center of mass for the actual target (i.e., the computer automatically

zeros the weapon for the shooter). The reason that the computer zeros the

weapon is because of some of the hardware features of the system. The light

pen's readin : are affected by a number of variables (i.e., four different

adjustments on the light pen, distance from the monitor, the color, brightness,

sharpness, and tint settings on the monitor, and possibly other variables such

as ambient light etc.) Because of all of these possible influences on the

system, it would be very difficult to calibrate the system to one "standard"

setting. A more functional approach is to let those variables vary as they

might between training sessions, make the system calibrate itself at the

beginning of each training period, and then keep those variables constant during

the training. This is exactly what the computerized zeroing procedure

accomplishes. After the five rounds have been fired, the shot group is then

displayed so that the soldier and/or trainer can assess whether or not the shot

group is tight enough (the computer can also assess whether the grouping is

adequate). Following a 15-sec exposure to the shot group, the target and

background disappear and the student is presented with a menu from which he can

select the desired training scenario. In the following two sections, the

current and planned software for the Ml6Al rifle and the LAW are discussed.

Ml6Al Rifle Software

One program was designed to simulate a field-fire setting. If the student

chooses this program, the first option he has is how many rounds he wants to

shoot at each target. Currently, the soldier enters this number by using the

computer's keyboard. After this decision has been made and entered into the

computer, the target background is painted on the screen. This currently

consists of a hilly green landscape with blue sky and one tree. Next, a scaled

"E" type silhouette target pops up at any reasonable position on the screen.

The exact location is either predetermined by the programmer or else, can be

randomly assigned by the software. There are currently four such scaled targets

which represent distances of 75-300 m when viewed at a distance of 3 m from the

scene. However, these four targets could be changed or other targets added so

that any reasonable distance could be simulated. After the student aims and

squeezes the trigger, four events occur. First, the computer simulates the

sound of a weapon being fired. Next, the computer places a white dot on the

screen in order to provide immediate feedback about hit or miss shot location.

Also, the computer calculates and displays a score for that shot. The score is

a maximum of 50 points if the student hits exact center of mass. The score is

reduced proportionally to the amount of error measured in radial distance from

the center of mass in pixels. The word "pixel" stands for picture element and

represents one unit or point on the screen. The number of pixels varies from

system to system depending on the resolution of the graphics available on that

system. For example, in the Apple II+ high resolution mode there are 192 by 280

0 pixels representing a total of 53,760 pixels per screen. After computing the

score for a given shot, the system then adds that score to a composite score.

In addition, if the shot location is within three pixels of center of mass, the

computer beeps once. If the shot is two pixels from center of mass, the

computer beeps twice; one pixel, three times, and exact center of mass, four

times. Thus, the student gets both visual and (if he is accurate enough),

auditory feedback. The white dots remain after each shot until the shooter has

fired the appropriate number of shots at that target. After the last shot at a

5
0

given target, the target remains for 15 sec so that the student can examine his

shot group. Then, the next target is painted, and the cycle is repeated until

the entire scenario is completed. At the end of the entire scenario, the

student is shown his total score for the entire scenario along with the percent

of all points possible. Finally, he is taken back to the program menu.

%. A second program is very similar to the one described above, except that

another feature has been added. It has always been difficult to teach how to

shoot under various wind conditions because of the impossibility of controlling

that variable on an actual range. As a result, basic marksmanship training

tends to downplay or ignore the effects of wind on the projectile. In this MACS

program, the direction and magnitude of the wind is cued to the trainee by the

direction and angle of a flag on a distant hill. Having estimated the direction

and velocity of the wind, the trainee must then practice hold-off to hit the

target. After firing, the screen displays where the bullet would have hit given

that range and wind condition. The computer has been programmed to simulate the

actual effects of the wind at a given range. Currently, four wind velocities

have been included ranging from 0 to 25 miles per hour. Additional software is

planned that will show the ideal sight picture on the screen (using graphics)

for all wind/distance combinations. In this situation, the trainee would not

shoot the weapon, but rather would study the screen. This program could be

introduced prior to the actual shooting program, and/or could be introduced for

remediation given poor performance on the actual wind program.

A third program deals with moving targets. The trainee sees an "E" type

silhouette target moving across the screen from either left to right or right to

left. The speed of the target can be randomly changed or kept constant. In

order to score points, the trainee must apply the proper lead rule, given the

distance and speed. Currently, more realistic, animated personnel targets are

being developed to replace the "E" type silhouette targets.

A fourth program also involves moving targets which move much more slowly.

The unique feature of this program is that after firing at a target and getting

immediate feedback, the last shot is replayed. That is, the target re-emerges

at the same place and moves at the same speed. In addition, white dots appear

indicating where the trainee had been aiming at each moment before the weapon

was fired. In this manner the student, or the trainer, can assess steady

position, proper lead, proper tracking, etc. The target stops at the point

where the rifle was fired, and a flashing white dot shows the location of the

actual shot.

A fifth program was designed to help trainers diagnose shooting problems.

In this program, two identical targets are presented on the screen, one about 5

cm directly below the other. The trainee is instructed to shoot at the top

target. While aiming at the top target, a flashing white dot on the lower

target shows the trainer where the trainee is aiming. This flashing white dot

cannot be detected by the trainee if he is aiming properly. In this manner, the

trainer potentially can diagnose problems such as steady position, point of aim,

and trigger jerk. Although not in the present program, a replay similar to the

one mentioned above will eventually be incorporated into this program.

6
A sixth program is similar to the trainer feedback program described in the

preceeding paragraph, except that it allows the trainee to get immediate point

of aim feedback without the presence of a trainer. This was accomplished by

programming the computer to give momentary auditory beeps, the frequency of

which indicates how close to center of mass the rifle is being aimed--the higher

the pitch, the closer to center of mass. In this manner, the trainee can shape

his own aiming behavior to maximize learning.

Additional software for the M16A1 rifle is planned. One program is

designed to help diagnose marksmanship problems. This will be done by having

the computer analyze pre-shot light pen coordinates. Hopefully, pre-shot

analysis of trends and patterns can help determine which, if any, of the four

fundamentals of basic marksmanship (see Osborne, 1982) are being violated. This

information could then either be presented to the trainee or the trainer in the

form of text on the screen or could be used in a self-paced mode to branch the

trainee to another program designed to provide remediation for that particular

fundamental.

Another program is designed to give the trainee practice mechanically

zeroing his weapon. In this program, the trainee will first fire a three-round

shot group. No immediate feedback will be given after each shot. After the

three-round shot group has been fired, the target will be enlarged to show the

shots' locations on the standard zeroing target (see Smith, Thompson, Evans,

Osborne, Maxey, & Morey, 1980). The relative location of each shot will remain

the same as actually fired, but the center of the distribution will be randomly

misplaced by the computer, i.e., the shot group will be forced off of the center

of mass to a new location, indicating a poor zero for the weapon. The trainee's

job is to make the mechanical adjustment indicated by the shot-group location.

Finally, the trainee fires a second three-round shot group. The computer then

displays the new shot group and analyzes whether additional adjustments need to

be made. If so, additional training is provided until the trainee is zeroed.

Finally, an arcade game scenario is planned which will provide a defense

scenario against an attacking opposing force. This program, perhaps more than

the others described above, is being designed to provide "entertrainment".

Besides providing an entertaining environment, realistic features will hopefully

provide valuable training. In this program, both stationary and moving targets

will be presented. The trainee will have to learn to prioritize his shots in

order to maximize his score and minimize the score of the opposing force. The

trainee gets points by accurate shooting. The opposing force gets points either

through the poor marksmanship of the trainee or through the tactical errors of

the trainee. For example, if the trainee fires at a distant target while a

potentially more dangerous close target is ignored, then the opposing force's

score increases. This scenario will approximate the training provided with live

fire on the Infantry Remoted Engagement Target System (IRETS) range (except that

in IRETS there is no opposing force score built in). For this reason, it will

be tested as an inexpensive training alternative to prepare trainees for the

IRETS test range.

M72A2 LAW Software

The software that has already been developed for the LAW iicludes two

programs, one for stationary tank targets and one for moving tank targets.

7
The scenarios presented in both scenarios are analogous to those used in the

M16A1 rifle scenarios described above, except that: (a) the light pen is

attached to the LAW, (b) instead of a white dot indicating the location of the

hit, an explosion is simulated with flame and smoke, (c) tanks are the targets,

and (d) time-of-flight delays from firing to impact are simulated. In addition,

any of the above training programs designed for the Ml6A1 rifle could probably

be adapted for the LAW.

DISCUSSION

Although the hardware for MACS has been configured and a number of programs

have already been developed, the project is really still at the concept level.

Much work remains to be done. Various hardware configurations must be

considered. Research and testing must be conducted to determine the answer to

the obvious question: "Can the MACS system really train?"

The question as to whether or not the MACS system can train marksmanship

skills will be answered with empirical data gathered through research efforts at

the Army Research Institute, Fort Benning Field Unit. A number of studies and

experiments are planned. One of the first studies (currently under way) will

correlate scores on MACS with scores on the Weaponeer. The Weaponeer is an

existing M16A1 rifle marksmanship trainer/simulator that provides a high level

of simulation including realistic recoil and sound (for more information on the

Weaponeer, see Spartanics, Ltd., 1976 or Stair, Cobb, Palmer, Bishop, Holcombe,

Widby, & Shanahan, 1977). The Weaponeer has been acclaimed to be a very

valuable training device, and it probably provides a higher level of realism

than the MACS system. However, the cost of the Weaponeer will probably prevent

wide distribution throughout the Army.

Another experiment planned will directly compare training on the MACS with

conventional training with live fire. After equal time exposure to each, two

groups of trainees will be given the same live-fire test. Another potential use

of the system would be to place it in the company training areas of either

active units or training units. If the software developed is compelling enough,

soldiers may voluntarily practice their marksmanship skills. The MACS software

may not be as entertaining as Pac-Man, but if it's the only game in town... If

not voluntarily used, the training NCO's could be placed in charge of the

equipment to use at their discretion (especially on those shooters who need

additional training). To test these possibilities, MACS systems will be placed

in randomly selected company areas at the Infantry Training Center prior to and

while the trainees are receiving Basic Rifle Marksmanship. These companies will

then be compared with other similar companies which did not have MACS to

supplement regular training. Presumably, MACS software developed for other

weapon systems will receive similar testing.

In conclusion, the MACS system offers the opportunity to provide a flexible

training/simulation capability at a cost considerably lower than other available

options. Also, if successful, the MACS system could be a partial answer to a

number of weapon-training problems: the soaring costs of live amunition, the

unavailability of appropriate ranges in some situations (e.g., USAEUR, ROTC, and

Reserve Components), weapon training in the case of rapid mobilization,

shortages of well-trained instructors, and the high cost of trainer/simulator

systems which are dedicated to only one weapon system.

8
REFERENCES

Osborne, A.D. Basic Rifle Marksmanship Trainer's Guide. U.S. Army

Infantry School publication #546-010/690 Region #4, 1982.

Osborne, A.D., Schroeder, J.E., & Heller, J.H. Evaluation of the basic

rifle marksmanship program of instruction. Litton-Mellonics Draft

Research Report, October, 1980.

Schroeder, J.E., Dyer, F.N., Czerny, P., Gillotti, D.P. & Youngling,

E.W. Videodisc interpersonal skills training and assessment

(VISTA Volume I: Overview and findings. ARI Draft Technical

Report, 1982.

Smith, S., Thompson, T.J., Evans, K.L., Osborne, A.D., Maxey, J.L., &

Morey, J.C. Effects of down-range feedback and the ARI zeroing

target in rifle marksmanship training (Research Report 1251).

Alexandria, VA: U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and

Social Sciences, June 1980. (ADA100958)

Spartanics, Ltd. Weaponeer general information manual. Rolling

Meadows, IL: Author, 1976.

Stair, D.R., Cobb, A., Palmer, B., Bishop, G.M., Holcombe, L., Widby,

J.B., & Shanahan, C.O. Concept Evaluation Test of Weaponeer and

Lasertrain Systems (USAIB Project No. 3475). Fort Benning, GA:

U.S. Army Infantry Board, October, 1977.

Young, J.1. & Tosti, D.T. Equipment-independent training program final

report. Report TDI-TR-3-8L, Fort Monroe: U.S. Army Training and

Doctine Command, December, 1981.

9