Under the sponsorship and direction of the 542d Crew Training Wing at Kirtland AFB and the Department of the Air Force Headquarters, Ogden Air Logistics Center (AFMC) at Hill AFB, Utah, Martin Marietta has implemented a real-time network for multi-device interactive simulation. Currently this network is on contract to interface the following air crew training devices and facilities: MH-53J Weapon System Trainer (WST)/Mission Rehearsal System (MRS), MH-60G WST, TH-53A Operational Flight Trainer (OFT), and the 542d Training Observation Center (TOC). The network designated SOF-NET, was integrated and ready for training (RFT) in 1993. In the near future, the network will expand to include the HC-130P, MH-60G OET, Aerial Gunner and Scanner Simulator (AGSS), and an external Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) network node. The external node will be used to link the SOF-NET with other Government networks and facilities. To date, the MH-60G, MH-53J, and TH-53A helicopter simulators have been successfully tested for network interactions; in support of an accident investigation, key information was provided through a networked simulation of a multiple ship mission.

This paper examines the Kirtland network architecture and the implementation approach which links the varied computational platforms, Image Generators, Radar and EW Systems. The SOF-NET results to date and potential future projects suggest that this facility is a pathfinder site for the resolution of several thorny DIS issues such as data base correlation, EW simulation, virtual/ constructive interfaces and aggregation/deaggregation. The successful resolution of these issues as applied at Kirtland AFB may impact future revisions of the DIS specification and provide a basis for future interactive network applications.