Simulation has established itself as a powerful tool for the military domain. Collective Mission Simulation involves the use of mission simulation - the execution of (parts of) a tactical or operational mission in a (partly) simulated environment - for one or multiple teams. The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have exploited Collective Mission Simulation (CMS) through participation in a number of virtual exercises. The potential of collective mission simulation has been recognized and the requirement for a CMS capability was formalized.

The need for a CMS capability has led to a Dutch national research into a collective mission simulation environment that can support training, exercises, mission rehearsal and experimentation. Such a simulation environment that supports collective missions in combined and joint settings is characterized by effective realism, interoperable systems across domains, and seamless information flow. Within the next few years the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces wants to establish a validated, reusable, interoperable mission simulation environment that will support the distributed simulation of tactical and operational missions at varying degrees of security classification. Clearly, the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces intends to also use the CMS capability in the international context of NATO and bi-lateral exercises/events.

In this paper we describe the challenges and shortcomings associated with applying collective mission simulation by the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces. We present our vision for a future CMS environment and the building blocks that are necessary for obtaining it. There are four building blocks that will enable the development and operation of a CMS environment: a defined CMS policy and a suitable organizational structure, guidance on procedures and technical standards (e.g. handbooks), the CMS Common Technology Framework to connect distributed simulation assets and facilities, and a set of services to allow smooth operation of the CMS environment.