Patent Abstract:
A system and method for evaluating the performance of a weapon platform by modeling, simulating, and analyzing all relative aspects of an engagement that would contribute to a fired projectile missing its intended impact point. The present system embodies various aspects as software objects and defines their dependencies and structure using a multi-node tree. The present system uses an imaged based approach to capture the lethality of ammunition, vulnerability of the targets, and results of an engagement scenario. Monte Carlo simulation is used to calculate the outcome statics and to display individual outcomes of the engagement to the user. The resulting product surpasses the capabilities and performance of conventional systems, protects proprietary information, and reduces the amount of time needed to analyze a weapon system.

Full Description:
GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST 
     The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by, or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of computing devices, and more particularly relates to computing devices for modeling and analyzing the performance of a weapon system in a combat scenario. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditionally, the task of evaluating the effectiveness of a weapon system in a combat engagement is performed using a two-step approach. The first step is to create an error budget for the system being analyzed, and the second step is to use that error budget to evaluate the probability of defeating a target. 
     An error budget is a collection of forces and effects that contribute to a fired round missing its intended aim point. These forces and effects are described through equations that calculate their downrange miss distances. The values of the results are then root-sum-squared into three categories based on how the errors manifest themselves in an scenario. These categories are round-to-round, burst-to-burst, and engagement-to-engagement. These values are then used in further analysis. 
     Once an error budget has been created, it is used with one of two methodologies to calculate the probability of defeating a target. These two methodologies are known as R3011 and FBAR and are generically illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The method used to analyze the weapon depends on the complexity of the firing situation. R3011 is a statistical approach that is used in direct fire situations with simple targets. FBAR is an iterative solution that is used in more complex scenario or with air burst munitions. 
     In general, the conventional solution to the problem of evaluating a weapon system has several drawbacks and/or shortcomings. One such drawback is that the equations in the error budget are only a rough estimation of the actual effect. The current error budget structure cannot handle the necessary complexity needed to describe the error source fully. This limitation results in a loss of accuracy. It also makes the traditional method inadequate for studying dynamic error sources such as erratic winds, inconsistent metrological data, and variable accuracy laser range finders. Additionally, the requirement of having to categorize each error source to one of the aforementioned three main categories mentioned leads to a loss of realism in the model. All these drawbacks create an opportunity for improvement in the error budget implementation. 
     Each probability of hit evaluation approach also has its drawbacks. R3011 is limited to analyzing relatively simple cases, such as direct fire on a rectangular target. If a non-rectangular target is considered, the R3011 statistical methodology becomes very complex and cannot be solved in a reasonable amount of time. Furthermore, R3011 is limited to the number of rounds that can be fired at a target. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the computations become unstable between 5 and 15 rounds causing an error in the solution. FBAR tries to overcome these drawback by using Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the probability of defeating the target. While being able to handle situations that R3011 cannot, it still has its limitations. FBAR does not provide any type of situational awareness for the scenario being considered, thus making it difficult to understand what is happening in the simulation. It is also limited to three levels of randomization due to its ties to the error budget. 
     Errors can only be drawn for the main categories and not for individual errors. Because of this, real data cannot be used direction with the current solution to calculate the probability of hit. In addition, since FBAR is implemented in a command prompt software, it takes a skilled engineer to run the analysis and the process of optimizing a solution becomes very time consuming. 
     There are some system level shortcomings as well. Since the neither R3011 nor FBAR can interact with the error budget directly, it has become difficult to examine how changes in the error budget influence the performance of the weapon system. This capability is critical to optimizing a weapon system. Furthermore, the conventional solutions make it difficult for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to collaborate. Information about errors is traditionally held in confidence and not shared. As a result, the error budget equations becomes cryptic and difficult to use and understand. This also leads to each SME having his/her individual error budget for a particular weapon system that requires interpretation. 
     Therefore, a need arises for a more flexible, dynamic, and practical method for analyzing the performance of a weapon system in an engagement scenario. The need for such a modeling and simulation method has heretofore remained unsatisfied. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the concerns of the conventional modeling methods and presents a new system and method for modeling and analyzing the performance of a weapon system. 
     The present method overcomes the shortcomings of the conventional methods, and provides additional modeling and simulation capability. Furthermore, it allows users to interact with the simulation in real time, giving them an intuitive feel for the weapon system. This feature provides real time feedback to the users, which cannot be captured by statistics alone. 
     Rather than displaying numbers, the present method provides a visual representation of the engagement scenario, and displays the results on a real time basis, as they transpire. Instead of representing the error budget with numbers, the present method represents the error budget with an object. As used herein, an “object” is a capsule of inputs an outputs that provides calculations in real time. 
     The present method can be used to identify potential areas for improvement in a weapon system, concentrate development funds where they would be most beneficial, and create doctrines for engagements. The present method is not limited to rectangular targets, and is capable of processing any kind of engagement scenarios, such as multiple targets, direct hit missions, airburst munition, etc. 
     Furthermore, the present method promotes collaboration between the SMEs by allowing them to share information about the error budget while protecting the confidentiality of their systems. 
     The present method interprets the error budget by showing how each error contributes to the final solution, and does not require a separate interpretation from skilled personnel. 
     To this end, the present method for evaluating the performance of a weapon system in an engagement scenario, is implemented by a system comprised of a target module that handles all target related calculations and that provides all target related data to a simulation module and to a scenario module, and a projectile module that handles all projectile related calculations and that provides all projectile related data to the simulation module and to an error budget module. 
     The scenario module allows a user to create the engagement scenario within which to test the weapon system, and further provides scenario information to the simulation module. The simulation module creates after-action scenarios for display to the user. 
     The simulation module acquires target parameters, aim points, and firing sequence from the scenario module, and target information from the target module, and further places the target within the engagement scenario. The simulation module then acquires projectile information from the projectile module and combines the projectile information with errors retrieved from the error budget module, to place simulated rounds within the engagement scenario. 
     The system also includes a statistic module that analyzes the engagement scenario, and a visualization module that interprets the analyzed engagement scenario for display to the user. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the simulation module keeps engaging the target until a defined success value is achieved, and the error budget module creates an error budget, provides error samples, and calculates the effects on the projectile dynamically. The error budget module communicates with the projectile module to obtain projectile characteristic data for use in calculating error values. 
     The error budget module further provides data to the simulation module in order to place the simulated rounds within the engagement scenario, and the statistics module calculates user selected statistics from a complete engagement scenario that was created by the simulation module. 
     The visualization module creates images from the complete engagement scenario created by the simulation module and displays them to the user, for enabling the user to interact with the engagement scenario, in order to obtain further information about objects in the engagement scenario. 
     Additional aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram that illustrates a conventional architecture of a system for analyzing the performance of a weapon system; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary graph that illustrates the breakdown of the conventional system of  FIG. 1  upon reaching a threshold round number; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram that illustrates a high level architecture of a modeling and simulation system for modeling and analyzing the performance of a weapon system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a more detailed block diagram of a target module that forms part of the modeling and simulation system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a screen shot illustration of a target image and a scoring map generated by the target module of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a more detailed block diagram of a projectile module that forms part of the modeling and simulation system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  are screen shots illustrating a projectile effectiveness image generated by the target module of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a more detailed block diagram of a scenario module that forms part of the modeling and simulation system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are screen shots illustrating a firing scenario setup generated by the scenario module of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a more detailed block diagram of an error budget module that forms part of the modeling and simulation system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D  are screen shots illustrating an error budget structure generated by the error budget module of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a screen shot illustration of a simulation area image generated by the visualization module and statistics generated by the statics module of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart that illustrates a method, implemented by the simulation system of  FIGS. 3 through 12 , for evaluating the performance of the weapon system in an engagement scenario, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The objects, graphs, and graphics within the screen shots are designated by numeral references that are followed by the letter “A” to correlate the modules or elements bearing the same numeral references and that are respectively associated with such objects, graphs, and graphics. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides a system and associated method (collectively referred to herein as “the method,” “the system,” “the tool,” “the computer program product,” or “the modeling and simulation system”)  10  for modeling and analyzing the performance of a weapon system.  FIG. 3  illustrates a high level architecture of the modeling and simulation system  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     The system  10  generally includes the following interconnected modules that operate on a computer or processor: a target module  100 , a projectile module  200 , a scenario module  300 , a simulation module  400 , an error budget module  500 , a statistics module  600 , and a visualization module  700 . 
     In general, the target module  100  handles all target related calculations. It provides all target related data to the simulation module  400  and the scenario module  300 . 
     The projectile module  200  handles all projectile related calculations. It provides all projectile related data to the simulation module  400  and the error budget module  500 . 
     The scenario module  300  allows the user to create a scenario within which to test the weapon system, and it further provides the scenario information to the simulation module  400 . 
     The simulation module  400  creates after-action scenarios that can be analyzed or displayed to the user. The simulation module  400  acquires the target parameters, aim points, and firing sequence from the scenario module  300 . It also acquires the target information from the target module  100  and places the targets in the scene. It then acquires the projectile information from the projectile module  200  and combines this projectile information with the errors retrieved from the error budget module  500 , to place the rounds in the scene. 
     This complete scene can then be analyzed by the statistics module  600  or interpreted by the visualization module  700  and displayed to the user. The simulation module  400  keeps executing until the user defined goal is achieved. As an example, the user-defined goal can be to simulate a predetermined number of engagements, keep engaging the target until a defined success value is achieved, or a combination of the two. 
     The error budget module  500  creates an error budget, provides error samples, and calculates the effects on the projectile dynamically. It communicates with the projectile module  300  to obtain projectile characteristic data for its calculations. It also provides its data to the simulation module  400 . 
     The statistics module  600  calculates user selected statistics from the complete scenes created by the simulation module  400 . 
     The visualization module  700  creates images from the complete scenes created by the simulation module  400  and displays them for the user. The user can interact with the scene to obtain further information about objects in the engagement. 
     The following is a more detailed description of the various modules of the system  10 . With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the target module  100  includes a digitized target map  101 , a digitized target lethality map  102 , a target map database  103 , and a PKill interpreter  104 . The target module  100  serves as a data capsule and communications manager for all data related to the target. The target module  100  provides its data and the analysis mode chosen by the user to the simulation module  400  and scenario module  300 . 
     The digitized target map  101  creates a target image for the specific target chosen by the user from the target database  103 . It retrieves the target information, translates this information into a visual representation, calculates the relative target dimensions, and then displays the results to the user. The digitized target map  101  then provides this information to the target module  100  upon request by the simulation module  400  or scenario module  300 . 
     The digitized target lethality map  102  creates a target vulnerability map for the specific target chosen by the user from the target database  103 . It retrieves the map information, interprets the probably of kill values, translates these kill values into a visual representation, calculates the relative target dimensions, and displays the results to the user. The digitized target lethality map  102  then provides the lethality map upon request to the simulation module  400 . 
     The images created by the digitized target map  101  are used when setting up a firing scenario in the scenario module  300  and upon displaying a scene to the user in the visualization module  700 . The images created by the digitized target lethality map  102  are used by the simulation module  400  to create a specific engagement scenario and by the statistics module  600  to analyze the scenario. 
     The target map database  103  is a data capsule for holding target maps and vulnerability maps. It provides this data to modules  101  and  102  upon request by the user. 
     The PKiII interpreter  104  provides the probability of defeating the target based on a specific point on the vulnerability map. It decodes the information encoded into the map, calculates the probably of kill, and provides this information to the user or the simulation area, upon request by either entity. 
       FIG. 5  is an example implementation of the target module  100 . The reference numerals in this example correspond to those in  FIG. 4 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B , the projectile module  200  includes a projectile effects map  201 , a firing tables  202 , a unit effects table  203 , a extended data table  204 , projectile effect type switch  205 , digitized effect map array  206 , impact image  207 , effect map  208 , PLP to image array creator  209 , and a projectile database  210 . 
     The projectile module  200  serves as a data capsule and communications manager for all data related to the projectile. The projectile module  200  further provides its data and the analysis mode chosen by the user to the simulation module  400  and error budget module  500 . 
     The projectile effect map  201  holds an impact image, effect map, and an analysis mode for a user selected projectile and effect type. This data is either provided by the effect map array  206  or by the impact image  207  and effect map  208  modules, depending on the choice made by the user in the projectile effect type selection  205 . 
     This data is provided to the simulation module  400  upon request. Each time the simulation module creates an impact, the data for that impact is provided by this module. 
     The firing table  202  holds the firing table data loaded from the projectile database  210  for a user specified projectile. It provides this data to the error budget module  500 . 
     The unit effects table  203  holds the unit effects data loaded from the projectile database  210  for a user specified projectile. It provides this data to the error budget module  500 . 
     The extended data table  204  holds the additional projectile data loaded from the projectile database  210  for a user specified projectile. It provides this data to the error budget module  500 . 
     The projectile effect type selection  205  lets users select the type of effect map to use in the simulation, visualization, and statistics modules  400 ,  600 ,  700 . Depending on which selection is made, either the effect map array  206  will be provided to the projectile effect map  201  or the impact image  207  and effect map  208  will be made available. 
     The effect map array  206  is an array that holds lethality images for all combinations of range and height that are relative to the engagement. This module includes a display that shows a single image for a selected range and height to the user. The user is also able to use this display to move through the array in real time while observing the effects on the lethality plot. This allows the user to see the evolution of the lethality plot with respect to range and height. Individual images are provided to the projectile effect map  201  upon request. 
     The PLP to image array converter  209  creates a lethality image array for a user selected Polar Lethality Plot (PLP) file. For each combination of range and height in the PLP data file, this module creates an image based on the data, then encodes the lethality values into the image. It does this for all available range and height values. If needed, it interpolates between images to create the full array. The PLP data is retrieved from the projectile database  210  and the full array is provided to the effect map array  206 . 
     The impact image  207  creates a impact image for the specific impact chosen by the user from the projectile database  210 . It provides this information to the projectile effect map  201 . 
     The effect map  208  creates a lethality image for the effect map chosen by the user from the projectile database  210 . This module translates the lethality information into a visual representation and provides this information to the projectile effect map  201 . 
     The projectile database  210  holds any information related to the projectile and its effects. It provides this data to the firing table  202 , unit effect table  203 , extended effects table  204 , impact image  207 , effect map  208 , and PLP to image array converter  209 . 
     The lethality interpreter  211  provides the lethality of a given round against a specific target based on a specific point on the projectile effect map  201 . It decodes the information encoded into the map, calculates the lethality, and provides this information to the user upon request. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are exemplary implementations of the projectile module  200 . The image presented within illustrates the module as a whole as well as multiple examples of implemented sub modules. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B , the scenario module  300  includes the following sub modules: scene visualization module  301 , aim setup module  302 , target setup module  303 , error budget visualization module  304 , and firing sequence setup module  305 . 
     The scenario module  300  serves as a data capsule and communications manager for all the data related to the engagement scenario. It provides its data to the simulation module  400 . 
     The scene visualization module  301  displays the engagement scenario to the user and lets the user place aim points or targets in the scene. It exchanges information about aim points with the aim setup module  302  and about targets with the target setup module  303 . It gets error budget information from the error budget visualization module  304  and draws them over the aim point to show the user where the projectile is likely to land in the scene. 
     The aim setup module  302  lets the user place aim points in the scene and describes how the simulation module will use the aim points. The aim points can be placed in a specific location in space or they can follow targets. This module provides the aim point coordinates to the simulation module  400  and the scene visualization module  301 . 
     The target setup module  303  lets the user place targets in the scene and specify the random motion of the targets. This information is provided to the simulation module  400 , scene visualization module  301 , and aim setup module  302 . 
     The error budget visualization module  304  retrieves error budget information from the error budget module  500  and draws it in the scene created by the scene visualization module  301 . This allows users to see where the projectiles are likely to land in the scene and how likely they are to hit the target. The error budget visualization module  304  also lets the users compare error budgets by concurrently displaying multiple error budgets. 
     The firing sequence setup module  305  allows the user to describe how to fire projectile in the engagement. The user can specify how to group the projectiles and what quantity of each group is to be fired at an aim point. This module communicates with the error budget module  500  to obtain top level container information that is used to create the groups of projectiles. The firing sequence is passed to the simulation module  400 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are exemplary implementations of the scenario module  300 . The images presented within illustrates the module as a whole as well as multiple examples of implemented sub-modules. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the error budget module  500  includes an error budget tree  501 , an error interface  502 , a precompiled error object database  503 , an error budget tools module  504 , a table tool  505 , a line graph tool  506 , and a contribution bar graph tool  507 . 
     The error budget module  500  serves as a data capsule and communications manager for all data related to the error budget. It provides its data to the simulation module  400  and the scenario module  300 . 
     The error budget tree  501  is an interactive tool that communicates with the user to create an error budget and with other modules of the system  10  to provide the error budget data on demand. The error budget is structured as a hierarchical tree composed of folders and nodes. A folder is a grouping of nodes and each node is an instantiated error object. Error objects are dynamic black box entities that takes a set of inputs and returns error values. 
     At each level of the error budget tree  501 , the user can specify if the errors should be constant, randomized, or sub sampled. If the errors are constant, then the same value is returned for every sample. Randomized error values return a normally distributed random error value that is the result of the nodes within the folder. If the folder is specified to be sub-sampled, each error in the folder is calculated and sampled at every request. This is necessary for errors that cannot be accurately described by normal distribution or errors that return real world data samples form a data set. 
     The error budget tree  501  communicates with the projectile module  200  to obtain data needed for error calculations. It provides top level container values to the scenario module  300 , and error values to the simulation module  400 . 
     Specifying error objects to be black boxes allows the users to share and to use error objects without revealing how they are implemented, thus protecting proprietary methodologies. Communication between the error objects and the error budget tree  501  is done through the error interface  502 , which guarantees that each error object can perform a predetermined set of communication functions. 
     The error object database  503  holds precompiled error objects. It provides the user selected error objects to the error budget tree  501 . 
     The error budget table tool  504  retrieves error budget data for the selected (single or multiple) entities in the error budget tree  501 . The values are presented in a tabular format. 
     The line graph tool  505  retrieves error data from the error budget table tool  504  and creates line graphs representing the data. The graphs are displayed for the user and are used to illustrate trends. 
     The contribution bar graph tool  506  retrieves error data from the error budget table tool  504  and creates bar graphs to show how the selected errors contribute to the overall error budget. It displays these bar graphs to the user. 
       FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D  are exemplary implementations of the error budget module  500 . The images presented within illustrates this module as a whole as well as multiple examples of implemented sub-modules. 
       FIG. 12  is an example of a engagement scenario created by the simulation module  400 . The image presented is created by the visualization module  700 , and the statistics presented within are calculated by the statics module  600 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a method  1300  for evaluating the performance of the weapon system in an engagement scenario, according to the present invention. At step  1305 , a user sets up the engagement scenario on a processor. 
     At step  1310 , method  1300  uses a visual representation approach to capture the lethality of an ammunition, the vulnerability of a target, and the results of the engagement scenario. In a preferred embodiment, step  1310  of using the visual representation approach includes visually representing an error budget composed of an error object to a user. 
     At step  1315 , method  1300  provides real time visual feedback to the user. 
     At step  1320 , method  1300  repeats the engagement of the target until a defined success value is achieved. At step  1325 , method  1300  creates an error budget, provides error samples, and dynamically calculates the effects on the projectile. 
     At step  1330 , method  1300  obtains projectile characteristic data for use in calculating the error values. At step  1335 , method  1335 , further places the simulated rounds within the engagement scenario, and calculates user selected statistics from a complete engagement scenario. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in hardware. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, including but not limited to smart phones. 
     The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD. 
     A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6