The need for situation and threat assessment (STA) tools with modern command and control systems is commonly acknowledged. STA tools help in managing the enormous information load in the command and control task by enhancing situation awareness. However, the development process of STA systems and tools can be difficult when suitable test environments and input data are not available. The main purpose of our research project was to develop and evaluate STA algorithms for joint command and control systems through a wide range of real-time sensor and knowledge-based information.

With the Finnish Air Force Headquarters co-operating in the project we designed a testbed to assist in the development and evaluation process of STA algorithms. We implemented, developed, and evaluated several state-of-the-art STA algorithms using our STA testbed (STATB), and we tested them with diverse and wide joint level simulations. For simulation runs we have constructed and used real scale joint level scenarios based on tactical and strategic doctrines. The scenarios include task, mission, and operation level activities for friendly and hostile forces.

We developed and used a scenario editor and simulation tools in the STATB development process and gained experience on the process. The construction and simulation of scenarios have proved to be essential but often underrated parts of the STA development process in our research.

This article describes the experience gained and the requirements for STA development established within our project, as well as some details, such as the testbed structure, the developed scenario data formats, and the simulation methods used for better understanding the STA development issues.