Live–virtual–constructive simulation for testing and evaluation of air combat tactics, techniques, and procedures: Part 2: demonstration of the framework

In this paper, the use of the live (L), virtual (V), and constructive (C) simulation framework introduced in Part 1 of this two-part study is demonstrated in the testing and evaluation of air combat tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). Each TTP consists of rules that describe how aircraft pilots coordinate their actions to achieve goals in air combat. In the demonstration, the initial rules are defined by subject matter experts (SMEs). These rules are refined iteratively in separate C-, V-, and L-simulation stages. In the C-stage, an operationally used C-simulation model is used to provide optimal rules with respect to the probabilities of survival (P_s) and kill (P_k) of aircraft without considering human–machine interaction (HMI). In the V-stage, fighter squadrons’ V-simulators and SMEs’ assessment are used to modify these rules by evaluating their applicability with P_k and P_s, as well as HMI measures regarding pilots’ situation awareness, mental workload, and TTP rule adherence. In the L-stage, qualified fighter pilots fly F/A-18C aircraft in a real-life environment. Based on SMEs’ assessment, the TTP rules refined in the C- and L-stages result in acceptable P_k, P_s, and HMI measures in the L-stage. As such, the demonstration highlights the utility of the LVC framework.