A comprehensive simulation environment for sensor fusion

Future battlespaces will contain large numbers of varied sensors deployed on the ground, in the air, and in space. Military commanders will make more effective decisions if sensor data is fused to provide a cohesive picture of their battlespace environment. The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/IF) has developed a testbed within which to integrate, evaluate, and demonstrate fusion and information technologies to support and facilitate the sharing and exploitation of data from a variety of sensors. The Fusion Testbed is used to support analytical studies, on-site and network distributed simulation exercises, and the processing of real-world, multiple source intelligence (multi-INT) data. Varied scenario simulation tools, platform and sensor models (including JSTARS, U2, and Global Hawk); data simulators for GMTI, ELINT and MASINT along with operational systems (including MTIX and KAST), and highly developed multi-INT data fusion systems are available for application to the problem of ground target identification and tracking against a variety of operational scenarios. Scenario animations display simulation environment activities and unique automated analytical tools quantify established Measures of Performance (MOPS). In total, the Fusion Testbed facilitates a broad range of command, control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C2ISR), and fusion technology developments. This paper describes the AFRL Fusion Testbed component capabilities and operationally-focused applications.