Simulation of dismounted infantry in realistic numbers and behaviors was omitted from SIMNET, the prototype DIS-type simulation. Representation and simulation of dismounted infantry are not obviously filled into the same framework as vehicles because models of humans are more complicated and not well understood. This paper describes a dismounted infantry simulation system developed at the Institute for Simulation and Training, and reports on lessons learned about simulating dismounted infantry in DIS-type simulations.

IST's Semi-Automated Forces Dismounted Infantry (SAFDI) project developed a Computer Generated Forces system with specialized capabilities for dismounted infantry. The goals of the SAFDI project are twofold: first, to provide a realistic simulation of dismounted infantry for the benefit of SIMNET trainees, and second, to learn about the simulation of dismounted infantry in support of future DIS simulations (like CCTT). The SAFDI system has been installed at training sites and has been used in training scenarios involving US Army soldiers. This paper provides on overview of the SAFDI system, including the project's goals, the system's capabilities, and the results of its evaluation at training sites.

IST's dismounted infantry research has led to a number of lessons learned of general applicability in the area of simulating dismounted infantry in DIS-type simulations, including SIMNET, BDS-D, and CCTT. This paper will address the following questions:

1. Why simulate dismounted infantry in DIS-type scenarios?

2. What are the distinctive characteristics of dismounted infantry that are important to its simulation?

3. How does one simulate dismounted infantry in DIS-type scenarios?

4. What mistakes were made in the design of SIMNET that made retrofitting it with dismounted infantry problematic?

5. How well does the emerging DIS network protocol standard support special requirements of dismounted infantry?