A Geospatial Battle Management Language (GeoBML) for Terrain Reasoning Presented to the 11th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium Paper I-110 Michael Powers Topographic Engineering Center US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Alexandria, Virginia Michael.W.Powers@erdc.usace.army.mil Dr. Michael Hieb Dr. Mark Pullen Martin Kleiner Center for C4I George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia mhieb@gmu.edu
Outline Assumptions, Requirements and Challenges Geo-Centric Force Centric Net-Centric Necessary Conditions for Success Architectural Framework Representational Consistency Battle Management Language Computational Semantic Implementing Geospatial Information in a Net-Centric Enterprise Development of Net-Centric Geospatial Services Focus on Shared Semantics Experimentation with Geospatial Information in a Mission Context
geo-centric View of Information Beliefs and Assumptions 1. Possesses a ubiquitous quality across C2 Use is often very similar Stable, sufficient representations is a goal 2. Deserves the same rigor of quality, consistency of representation applied to other battlefield information Foundation for shared, common awareness 3a.Terrain and weather are fundamental enabler/constraint to Combatant and non-combatant behavior Force, system, sensor and soldier performance 3b.Military operations and behaviors are not random Basis for relationships among battlespace entities and actors/actions Organizing the Battlespace in space, time and tactical intent 4. Value F(x) of geo information: Knowledge > Information > Data Hierarchy of Abstraction Get out of the data ASAP too many reasons to count Enabling the the Commander, Warrior Warrior and and C 2 2 systems through embeddable geospatial information Engineer Research and Development Center
Battle Command Centric (Geospatial Information, Technology) Engineer Research and Development Center Intelligent Services Role Manager Agent Authorizer Intelligent Operator Monitor Collaborator Translation Interface Text-Voice, etc) Report Generator WMI Services I/O Services Presentation Services Presentation Tailor Presentation Builder Presentation Manager WMI Primitives Visualizer WMI Element Services Task Integration Network Editor Situation Understanding Planning & Preparation Battle State Assessor Weather Service Object Refinement Situation Refinement Threat Refinement Readiness Monitor Assessor Services Fusion Process Refinement Battlespace Object Priority Manager BSO Understanding Services SU Toolset SU Presentation SU Tool Services Airspace Plan Assessor Objective COA Tactical Planning Sensor Maneuver Assessor Survivability Ground Space Fires & Effects Comms Network Resource Planning Terrain Analyzer Security Air Defense Planning Analysis Services Rehearsal Services AAR Services PPS Support Services SoS COE Simulation Battle Command & Mission Execution Incoming Order Processor Policy Editor Order, Report & Authorizer Action Requester Task Organization Notification Command Services Manned Ground Vehicle Remote Operation Unattended Munitions Control Unmanned Payloads Control UAV Control UGV Control Common Vehicle Control Airspace Control Fires & Effects Control UGS Control Ground Space Control Tactical Control Embedded Sustainment Platform Soldier Mission Readiness System Maintenance Supply & Distribution Force Health Protection Maintenance Manager Supply Manager Distribution Manager Force Health Protection Manager Administrative Services Sustainment Info Services Human Resource Services Threat Monitor Service Sustainment Planning Services Human Resource Services Manager Rear Area Security Manager Sustainment Control Services Interactive / Computational Info Services Geo-based Decision Tools GeoBML and JC3IEDM
Bandwidth Network Centric Challenges Design impact on actionable geospatial information products Minimize the size of all information products Achieve the best ratio of information value to bandwidth Minimize the frequency of network transmissions Design a persistent quality into product.responsive to dynamic info Design information products with the broadest application/recipient set Computation and Storage Design impacts Computational abstraction.. develop base information products supporting a broad range of applications Build information products with the broadest application / recipient set
Network Centric Challenges (Design Constraints) Potential value of a Net-centric force is theoretically N 2 Metcalf s Law So the bigger the force the better my situational awareness..right? There are some assumptions that must be met 1. There is real potential in all transactions Geo-information product has utility to the functional C4ISR processes of the recipient. automated systems and soldiers 2. All interactions have positive value As a function of value: Knowledge > Information > Data Maximize OHIO / information should be ready to use 3. N-way interactions create the most value Design geo-information product utility for the broadest set of Battlefield Functional Areas (BFAs), their systems and processes 4. There will be both dense and sparse islands of interaction Design for varying organizational topologies Derived from: Network Centric Warfare, Developing and Leveraging Information Superiority Alberts, Garstka and Stein, 1999 Engineer Research and Development Center
Architectural Framework (Terrain and Weather) Battle Command/Mission Execution Planning and Preparation Situation Understanding C4ISR Sensor Fusion C2 Training / Modeling and Simulation Fusion Level 0 1 2 3 4 Commercial Joint Mapping Toolkit Net Centric Enterprise Services Enterprise GIS Architecture Photogrammetry And Spectral Technology Format / Encoding R A W D A T A Exploitation Technology Analytic Technologies Decision Tools Decision Tools I Geographic Context Tactical Context Mission Context K Situational Context N Representation Representation Information N Knowledge F O Format/Encoding F Format/Encoding O Format/Encoding W Format/Encoding A R L Models C Models M Models Models T S A T I O N Tier 1 E D G E Tier 2 U N D E R S T A N D I N G Tier 3 Bandwidth Actionable Information
Spatial Objects and Representation (Consistent Computational Representation) Engineer Research and Development Center Spatially Discrete Organization of the Battlespace Physical properties of terrain, organized to stable qualities as related to: Spatial hierarchy of tactical employment within the battlescape OCOKA, compartment or a position of advantage Positions: Def / Attack, Blocking and Battle; Engagement areas, ambush Task or Mission (C2IEDM) Geo-Complex Battle Compartment OCOKA!. Direct Fire Positions!. Temporal / Relational Objects Movement graphs attributes Task - to - mission relationships Wx Effects-mobility & sensors Every 3 Hrs out to 36 Hrs with 12 Hr updates (IMETS/BFM) T + 3n.. T 0 Movement Graph!. Mobility Overwatch!.
Current Spatial Objects for geobml Tier 1 Products (Terrain/Military Context) Natural Obstacles Concealment Fields of Fire Cross Country Movement Maneuver Network Mobility Corridors Chokepoints Tier 2 products (Mission Context) /Tier 3 products (Planned) Avenues of approach Assembly Areas Engagement Areas Tier 2 Routes Battle Positions Attack positions Axis of Advance Indirect Fire Firing Position Assault Positions Attack by Fire Positions Drop Zones Helicopter Landing Zones
Semantic Consistency (Potential of a Battle Management Language) Engineer Research and Development Center Formal Language with Syntax and Semantics Doctrine BML Protocols XML Web Services/ Grid Services Representation Command & Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM)
Why a BML is needed Its vocabulary is found in FM 1-02, but it lacks clearly delineated rules governing its use (semantics and syntax). It is riddled with ambiguity and overlapping definitions. As such, it is incapable of transitioning to the full range of automation that the Army is implementing. It will not support the integration of advanced modeling and simulation with digitized command and control.
Semantic Consistency (Potential of a Battle Management Language) Engineer Research and Development Center Definition BML is an unambiguous language used for the command and control of forces and equipment conducting military operations. BML is being developed as a standard representation of digitized C2 information for executable plans, orders, Requests and reports for military units, for simulated forces, and for future robotic forces. C2 Systems C2 Systems Simulation Systems Robotic Forces
Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM) Engineer Research and Development Center Provides Core C2 Semantics Comprehensive Very well documented Tables Attributes Relations Allows for Extension Action Reporting Data Location Capability Object-Type Object-Item OBJECT-TYPE OBJECT-ITEM ORGANIZATION -TYPE ORGANIZATION MATERIAL-TYPE MATERIAL PERSON -TYPE PERSON FACILITY-TYPE FACILITY FEATURE-TYPE FEATURE
Development of Formal Grammars to Support Coalition Command and Control: A Battle Management Language for Orders, Requests and Reports Presented to the 11th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium Paper I-069 Dr. Ulrich Schade Dr. Michael Hieb FGAN-FKIE GERMANY schade@fgan.de George Mason University US mhieb@gmu.edu
Semantic Consistency (geospatial Battle Management Language (geobml)) Engineer Research and Development Center geobml is an Unambiguous Language Both domain specific and cross-cutting Defined by the role of actionable geo-information in the C2 Provides Unification across Doctrine and terms Explicit vocabulary and grammar Specific context mapped to operations, missions and tasks Explicit Representation Consistent extension to the C2IEDM Standard framework and exchange model Computational structure Both necessary and sufficient for shared, common understanding Protocols Explicit structure for transmission / sharing Terrain, Weather and Military Eng Terms Doctrine geobml Protocols Representation Geo-Environmental Extension to Command & Control Information Exchange Data Model (C2IEDM / JC3IEDM) XML Web Services Grid Services Explicit Computational Representation For Actionable Geospatial Information
Evolving a geobml Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) Physical Account of the Force Vehicle Type and Count # of units Spacing Weapons Relationships F (+) F (T) F (-) Assumptions 1. Cohesive Formations occur to execute a tactical task or mission creating a situation 2. Grouping of objects. So there are subordinate forces (children) forces comprising the Force (target) 3. Cohesive Formation and tasks argue that there are operational relationships required for the task (e.g. fire: complimenting angles and range fans) 4. Possible that there is parent to the target force (F (+)) Situation F (+) Situation F (T) Situation F (-) Syntax and Semantics 1. Understand the elements and qualities of the force being evaluated Possible Tasks, Activities and Missions C2IEDM 2. Field Manuals TO&E, Physical Conditions and Behaviors Universal Joint Task List (UJTL) Language of Command Battlefield Operating Systems (BOS) Tactical Tasks and Missions Engineer Research and Development Center
Evolving a geobml Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) Physical Account of the Force Vehicle Type and Count # of units Spacing Weapons Relationships Situation F (T) F (+) F (T) F (-) Situation F (-) What Dynamics Impact the Representation 1. Weather 2. Other Battlefield information 3. Persistence of Operational Value Computation Constraints 1. Data and Information Dependencies Product Generation Time Sensitivity Computational Time Allowed 1 Time, Intervals or at Run Time Sensitivity to locally held data Situation F (+)
C2IEDM Implementation of Spatial Objects Engineer Research and Development Center An individually identified object that has military significance. object-item-category-code feature feature-id category-code feature-category-code control-feature control-feature-id category-code control-feature-category-code object-item object-item-id category-code name alternate-identification-text symbol-code An OBJECT-ITEM that encompasses meteorological, geographic, and control features of military significance. A nontangible FEATURE of military interest that is administratively specified, may be represented by a geometric figure, and is associated with the conduct of military operations. object-item-type object-item-id object-type-id object-item-type-index reporting-data-id A record of the perceived condition of a specific OBJECT-ITEM as a specific OBJECT-TYPE object-type object-type-id category-code dummy-indicator-code name object-type-category-code feature-type feature-type-id category-code feature-type-category-code Key Currently Exists in C2IEDM BML additions Additions to capture SOs An individually identified class of objects that has military significance. An OBJECT-TYPE that encompasses meteorological, geographic, and control features of military significance. spatial-object spatial-object-id A nontangible FEATURE- TYPE of military interest that may be represented as a geometric figure and is associated with the conduct of military operations. control-feature-type control-feature-type-id category-code
C2IEDM Implementation (Spatial Objects defined) spatial-object spatial-object-id category-code access-to-objective-area area-of-interest (object item id) concealment direction-of-attack effected-control-measure (action effect item) engagement-area (object item id) exclusion friendly-maneuver-plan (action functional association index) geometry location (location id) LOS-to-objective-area maneuver-graph mobility-network object-item-association subject-object-item-id object-object-item-id object-item-association-index category-code subcategory-code task-id object-item-status object-item-id object-item-status-ix category-code hostility-code booby-trap-indicator-code emission-control-code reporting-data-id control-feature-status control-feature-status-id object-item-status-index investigation-status-code mine-presence-code recirculation-indicator-code surface-condition-code Key Currently Exists in C2IEDM BML additions Additions to capture SOs spatial-object-status spatial-object-status-id object-item-status-index Etc. objective-area (action objective item) observation-field-of-fire orientation reference-id size (unit type size code) type-solver unit-type (unit type echelon code) vehicle-type (equipment type) weapon-type (equipment type) weighted-cost object-item-location object-item-id location-id accuracy-quantity bearing-angle speed-rate speed-accuracy-rate use-category-code reporting-id status-code surface-firmness-code control-feature-status-category-code location location-id location-category-code
SO Product Usage Tier 1 Products Division 7 Step MDMP Tier 2 SO s Tier 3 SO s Bde 7 Step MDMP Tier 2 SO s Bn TF 7 Step MDMP Tier 3 SO s Tier 2 SO s MDMP Military Decision Making Process Tier 3 SO s
Demonstration Architecture (Proof of Concept) Engineer Research and Development Center Web Service Interface Commanders Support Environment Battlespace Terrain Reasoning & Analysis System geobml C2IEDM BML GUI Tasks Graphics Units OTB Route
Example Spatial Objects Simulation Digital Plan / OPORDER (geobml) Enemy Situation (Tier 2 Engagement Areas) C2 System Courses of Action (Tier 2 Routes)
What this can mean for a Coalition US Systems A Common Operational Picture Coalition Systems Web Services C2 Business Logic Other Business Logics Embedded Simulation Web Services HLA / DIS MIP Services Layer C/JMTK HLA / DIS BML GML MIPDEM COTS / NGA / CJMTK geobml MIP / COTS / DoD JC3IEDM Operational DBs Geodatabase
Partial BML Portfolio Growing community of investment Shared belief that BML is a necessary component of Net-Centric Operations Challenges Technological infrastructure enabling distributed, multi-national development and extension of BML Operational Domains and specific requirements of National entities Capability to maintain the integrity of the JC3IEDM Specification Ground Air Naval Implementation Software Services International Coalition BML X X X X X X NATO-WG X X X JBML X X X X X X geobml X X X XBML X X X X Army BML X X AO BML X X MIP/JC3IEDM X X X X X
Summary Network-Centric Operations require a change in paradigm for the employment of actionable geospatial information Digital Maps are not enough Move beyond concepts of maps as the wallpaper of the COP Actionable geo-information and decision tools need to empower C2 activities at the appropriate level of semantic and syntax representation BML / geobml is a formalization of C2 Information and representation Allows Commanders to access the right environmental information to accomplish their intent Spatial Objects forming geobml will enable reasoning to adapt to both changed missions and a variety of terrain and environmental data Geospatial information and implementation concepts have achieved a state of maturity that merits inclusion in the Net-Centric Enterprise Carry the right battlespace knowledge you carry the day