Current

Past

1. LT Valerie N. Spencer, USN, OR master student (HSI program), December 2009, role: second reader
   • title: "Workload Analysis of a DDG-1000 Underway Replenishment Scenario"
   • abstract: This thesis evaluated whether reduced crew size onboard the DDG-1000 lead to excessive workloads for bridge watchstanders. DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyers are consistent with the Navy's goal to reduce manning onboard surface vessels by 60-70% that of DDG-51 Class Destroyers. Automation is said to replace bridge watchstanders on legacy ships; however, automation will not relieve the remaining operators of their tasks. An IMPRINT model was used to simulate the functions and human-automation interfaces onboard the DDG-1000 during an Underway Replenishment mission. All three models (baseline, three person watch team, and five person watch team) indicated increased workloads for three key positions, the Officer of the Deck, Junior Officer of the Deck, and the Junior Officer of the Watch. Automation changed and added to operators' tasks in multiple ways that caused conflict according to the Multiple Resource Theory. Utilizing IMPRINT as a tool, the tasks performed by operators and the workload associated with tasks can be assessed quantitatively during system design and development. Although this thesis focused on the DDG-1000, the modeling approach and analytical process can be expanded to a range of domains such as aviation, space, and ground transportation.
2. Maj. Craig R. Schwetje, USMC, MOVES master student, September 2009, role: advisor
   • title: "Integrating Intelligence and Building Teams Within the Infantry Immersion Trainer"
   • abstract: The trend of focusing on technology in "technology augmented environments" and practicing a set of skills in isolation needs to shift towards user-centered training with skills being integrated earlier in the training process, as long as conditions for that integration exist. The purpose of this thesis was to examine whether incorporating intelligence briefs and debriefs with a Squad Planning Operations Center (SPOC) supported by suitable technologies improved infantry training in urban warfare training situations. To prepare for this task, a pilot study was conducted following current Infantry Immersion Trainer (IIT) procedures for the control group, while the experimental group utilized an Augmented Combat Operations Center (A-COC). Information gained from this study was then utilized for the main study conducted at the IIT aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. This study was conducted utilizing sixty participants in the control group (following current IIT procedures) and ninety-three participants in the experimental group (IIT procedure augmented with the use of a SPOC). The most statistically significant difference between the groups came from the participants' self-assessment on training confidence and overall success of training. Members of the experimental group, after utilizing the SPOC for planning, felt more confident in completing their training tasks and their view of achieving success in executing their mission was also higher.
3. Maj. Christian R. Fitzpatrick, USMC, MOVES master student, September 2009, role: co-advisor
   • title: "Integration of Robotics and 3D Visualization to Modernize the Expeditionary Warfare Demonstrator (EWD)"
   • abstract: In the summer of 2008, the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) released a message to all Marines and Sailors detailing plans to revitalize U.S. naval amphibious competency. Current responsibilities in Iraq and Afghanistan have significantly reduced available training time causing overall amphibious readiness to suffer. In response, this thesis evaluates 3D visualization techniques and other virtual environment technologies available to support these mission-critical training goals. The focus of this research is to modernize the Expeditionary Warfare Demonstrator (EWD) located aboard Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek, Virginia. The EWD has been used to demonstrate doctrine, tactics, and procedures for all phases of amphibious operations to large groups of Navy, Marine Corps, Joint, Coalition and civilian personnel for the last 55 years. However, it no longer reflects current doctrine and is therefore losing credibility and effectiveness. In its current configuration, the EWD is limited to a single training scenario since the display's ship models rely on a static pulley system to show movement and the terrain display ashore is fixed. To address these shortfalls, this thesis first recommends the usage of the wireless communication capability within Sun's Small Programmable Object Technology (SunSPOT) to create robotic vehicles to replace the current ship models. This enables large-group visualization and situational awareness of the numerous coordinated surface maneuvers needed to support Marines as they move from ship to shore. The second recommendation is to improve visualization ashore through the creation of Extensible 3D Graphics (X3D) scenes depicting high-fidelity 3D models and enhanced 3D terrain displays for any location. This thesis shows how to create these scenes and project them from overhead in order to modernize the gymnasium-sized EWD into an amphibious wargaming table suitable for both amphibious staff training and operational planning. Complimentary use of BASE-IT projection tables and digital 3D holography can further provide smallgroup, close-up views of key battlespace locations. It is now possible to upgrade an aging training tool by implementing the technologies recommended in this thesis to support the critical training and tactical needs of the integrated Navy and Marine Corps amphibious fighting force.
4. LCDR Tariq Rashid, USN, MOVES master student, September 2009, role: second reader
   • title: "Integrating Distributed Interactive Simulations with the Project Darkstar Open-Source Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) Middleware"
   • abstract: Recently, a great deal of attention has been given to the use of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGS) for both gaming and military applications. The revenue generated by MMOGs and the effect that they have on the network infrastructure has resulted in significantly more developmental resources being applied to commercial MMOG technology than for military distributed virtual (DVE) development. All DVEs share a common set of characteristics, and additional requirements exist for the interoperability of military DVEs. It is possible to exploit these similarities to take advantage of developments in the supporting technologies of commercial MMOGs.
     Specific capabilities of interest include scalability for large numbers of players, capacity for large amounts of network traffic, portability across operating systems, and adaptability to connect diverse codebases, network protocols, and data formats. Project Darkstar is a Sun Labs research project, which has developed an open-source middleware for MMOGs. This thesis has produced and tests a MMOG server, which interconnects heterogeneous simulators in a DVE using the Project Darkstar middleware and locally developed network gateways. The performance of the system and the character of the network traffic it generates are analyzed. Initial test results warrant further development and eventual deployment.
5. LT Brian S. Boone, USN, MOVES master student, March 2008, role: advisor
   • title: "The Use of Concept Maps for the Diffusion of the Distributed Operations Concept and the Dissemination of Existing Virtual Training Simulations"
   • abstract: The Marine Corps finds itself increasingly fighting an elusive, adaptive and decentralized enemy. Facing this type of decentralized enemy suggests the Marine Corps embrace a more decentralized approach to conventional military operations. One of the strategies that the USMC has been introducing is Distributed Operations (DO) that will enable meeting the need of commanders to fight a highly decentralized engagement. DO require that the Marine Corps add to its conventional skills the additive ability to decentralize decision making and an ability to distribute the force when it is tactically advantageous to do so. Lessons learned from the Hunter Warrior series of experiments suggest that technology can only be effectively applied once assigned tasks have been mastered. In order for the Marine Corps to enable DO capability throughout the Marine Corps, a proactive information campaign must be conducted. The thesis seeks to develop a web based collaboration tool which will link critical DO specific and conventional skills to the current simulations which train them. This will serve to increase all Marines' understanding of the requisite knowledge and introduce novel training opportunities that exist as the concept of DO is concurrently developed.
6. LT Kent L. Sanders, USN, MOVES master student, December 2007, role: co-advisor
   • title: "Requirements to Create a Persistent, Open Source, Mirror World for Military Applications"
   • abstract: With many free simulations available to developers, it is desirable to marry the existing library and work of these simulations in an attempt to create a completely open source virtual reality environment to facilitate computer aided training and simulation. Key problems associated with developing a large scale Multiple User Virtual Environment (MUVE) are analyzed including appropriate server - client architecture, terrain and object model formats, and overall project scalability. Solutions to these problems are proposed and analyzed, including using existing commercial and open source projects in development, using projects already deployed, or the feasibility of developing a new solution to meet the requirements of this thesis. Advantages, disadvantages, and possible military and educational uses for each of these free simulations and the associated persistent mirror worlds are also analyzed to recommend a direction of action for military and education simulation and training.
7. Capt. Umit Ayvaz, Turkish Army, MOVES master student, September 2007, role: advisor
• title: "Training Methods and Tactical Decision Making Simulations"
• abstract: same as for Maj. Charles "Neil" Fitzpatrick (joint thesis)
8. Maj. Charles Neil Fitzpatrick III, USMC, MOVES master student, September 2007, role: advisor
   • title: "Training Methods and Tactical Decision Making Simulations"
   • abstract: Introducing simulation training to ground officers for the first time, within an existing proven curriculum, presents a number of challenges and questions. The proper amount of simulation time to evaluate and train skill sets and how to introduce simulation into an existing curriculum are mostly unknown. We have completed two studies at the Naval PostGraduate School (NPS). The first study examined the length of time and the most appropriate method for introducing simulation training to a user. The second study compared the use of the Close Combat Marines (CCM) Tactical Decision-Making Simulation (TDS) with the traditional method of training decision-making called the Tactical Decision-Making Game (TDG). The TDS and TDG were used in a between-subjects experimental design to examine the viability of each with regard to their ability to evaluate several important military traits. We found that both the TDG and the TDS methods were useful in evaluating a participant's leadership characteristics and decision-making ability. However, only the TDS was capable of evaluating situational-awareness. Our results also address a novel way in which these two approaches could be combined to amplify each other's potential in training of ground officers and military personnel in general.