Historically, the analytical community has used constructive models such as JANUS and Combined Arms and Support Task Force Evaluation Model (CASTFOREM) to do analysis for the acquisition process. These types of models do not fully represent the impacts of human interaction with the system or their effect on combat effectiveness of the system during the early phases of research and development. Both the training and the research and development communities have used real time man-in-the-loop Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) for several years. However, the full potential of DIS as an evaluation tool to support material acquisition decisions has not been realized.

The Anti Armor Advanced Technology Demonstration (A2ATD) will function as a vehicle to meet several BDS-D exit criteria. A2ATD is a joint DA/DoD program initiated with the goal of maturing DIS as a credible evaluation tool to support acquisition decisions. The purpose of the A2ATD is to develop and demonstrate a verified, validated and accredited DIS capability to support anti-armor weapon system virtual prototyping, concept formulation, requirements definition, effectiveness evaluation, and mission area analysis on a combined arms battlefield at the Battalion Task Force or Brigade level.

This paper describes the preparations made and the conduct of A2ATD Experiment 1. A top level comparison of live simulation versus virtual simulation is also addressed.