There are countless differences between a learning environment and a battlefield. Therefore, a unified architecture which allows for dynamic interaction between reality and simulation would be a priceless achievement. Embedding simulation components in C2 systems for training purposes has always been a challenge from the realism and interoperability standpoints. Prevailing interoperability and composability-oriented frameworks such as TENA are fit for large scale environments; yet they surpass the requirements for less-demanding scenarios and increase the complexity of the solution. The Interoperability-ready, Trainingfocused Architecture (ITA) addresses these issues by being based on nonmilitary-specific technical software solutions, reducing the complexity and, therefore, deployment costs.
ITA is a layered architecture built upon COTS/Open software solutions which allows for the coexistence and interaction of both C2 and simulation modules in the same virtual environment. Its layers are designed to improve interoperability among the involved technologies, from communications hardware to service coordination software. In the upper layers, the use of widespread technologies (e.g. P2P and SOA), with wellknown military ontologies (e.g. JC3IEDM) permits the dynamic interaction between reality and simulation, enhancing the training capabilities of the whole system. Additionally, it makes ITA interoperable with other widespread frameworks (e.g. TENA), improving its scalability. The layers' independence also facilitates rapid development of new applications by developing small, self-sufficient pieces of software.
The aim of the present work is to report the results of using ITA in the Argentine Army. First, a description of the problem and analysis of possible solutions are outlined, arriving then at the specifications for architecture's layers and their associated technologies. Lastly, the outcome of the actual implementation is analyzed, evaluating the impact on both the development process and the user experience, analyzing pros, cons and potential improvements.