The Intelligent Tutoring System for Tactical Aircraft (ITS-AIR) is designed to enhance pilot learning while reducing lifecycle costs associated with on-site simulation operators and instructors. ITS-AIR is envisioned as an add-on system for future, existing and legacy simulators. SDS s rationale in producing the ITS-AIR system is based upon a divide and conquer methodology utilizing COTS & GOTS DIS/HLA resources coupled with simple small cooperative intelligent agents. The prototype ITS-AIR system presented in this paper can be logically viewed as two cooperative main modules. SAM the Systems Automation Module that replaces the on-site simulation operators and HIT the Hierarchical Intelligent Tutor module that reduces the on-site instructor requirements. SAM is an intelligent agent that provides the pilots with a simple Graphical User Interface (GUI) that starts and synchronizes all the ITS-AIR System components. For example, in the NAWC/TSD funded SDS, BMH and SOAR ITS-AIR Testbed (See Figure 2) SAM currently starts two LiteFliteTM Simulators, JSAF, SOAR, SOAR-Speak, ModIOSTM, I-Matrix , Academix T M and HIT. SAM also freezes, restarts and stops the components in a synchronous manner. Additionally, SAM is used by HIT to load and control lessons. SAM also contains TCIA the Temporal Control Intelligent Agent the controls the flow of simulated time throughout the distributed simulation architecture. TCIA services provide the HIT with the capacity to slow the pace of events for early skill acquisition phases, or present learning events in slow motion emphasizing the details that may not be easily perceived at normal real-time rates. TCIA services also provide the HIT with Above Real-Time Training (ARTT) Capabilities. ARTT has demonstrated to produce large training benefits (Guckenberger, Lane, Stanney 1992; Guckenberger and Crane 1997) and is envisioned to have even higher performance benefits when used in conjunction with HIT. SAM provides the pilots with a simple GUI to log-in, select curriculum lessons, free-play or mission rehearsal modes. SAM and HIT allow the pilots to train in a user-friendly, non-threatening environment in which the student can be guided through training scenarios based on instructor defaults or dynamic configuration by the student. Performance data can be recorded into the students HIT database records via XML based on the preferences of the instructor and / or student. HIT supports:
q Expert Review - Presentation of experts doing tasks,
monitor differences between current pilot performance and different levels of experts corresponding performance
Intelligent tutoring options based upon pilot performance and pilot questions
HIT is actually composed of multiple components and simple cooperative intelligent agents utilizing XML resources.
The ITS-AIR Testbed will allow for the full integration and testing of various modular components of the ITS-AIR system. The Testbed will be fully utilized for experimentation and validation of the various Pedagogical Intelligent Agent technologies related to Intelligent Tutoring. It is anticipated that ITS-AIR will successfully address numerous requirements for Warfighters, utilizing products of PMA205, USAF DMT and NASA s Aviation Safety and Capacity programs.