In an Electronic Warfare (EW) training environment it is necessary to model threat radars and weapons systems in order to set up specific training missions. These threats react to the student's actions throughout the training session. This paper discusses what threat reactions are and why they are required. The paper then presents two different techniques for controlling the threat's reactions to student actions in a training environment. One technique is more complex but offers greater flexibility. The other technique is more generic and less complex for the user but offers less flexibility.

The first technique uses an interpretive language that allows the user to program the reactions of each threat in the training environment. Examples of how this language is used to program threats are given. With this technique, the threats are completely flexible. However, in addition to understanding EW systems, the user must be a capable programmer in order to properly code and debug the threats.

The second technique uses generic threat reaction algorithms. Examples of these reaction algorithms are presented. This technique is less flexible than the first technique because it has a limited number of algorithms which are utilized repeatedly to simulate all of the threats in the training environment. However, the user need only fill in the blanks on a preprinted CRT display in order to define the threat reaction decision data. This technique requires that the user have a basic understanding of EW systems. But, the user does not need to be a programmer.

The two techniques are presented individually, then compared to highlight the differences in cost, lines of code, memory and CPU time.