Effective Use of Synthetic Environments to Support the Acquisition Life Cycle

Synthetic Environments (SE) are a powerful emerging concept, focused on the through-life use of Modelling & Simulation (M&S) to support weapon system capability requirements analysis, acquisition and operational use. Coherent, planned application of M&S has been shown to lead to significant opportunities for capability visualisation, solution trades and risk reduction, human factors evaluation and design, system integration, test and acceptance. The challenge is to do all this cost-effectively, and in a sufficiently validated manner. Thales Training & Simulation (TT&S) has been involved in Synthetic Environments for more than 10 years, and is the central focus of applying SE within the Thales Defence Business Area worldwide. TT&S Ltd. is currently involved in the use of Synthetic Environments to support capability acquisition in the UK for major competitive Prime Contracts, including the Watchkeeper TUAV System, Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) and Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST). This paper draws on the experience and lessons learnt from these programmes and make suggestions for the role of Synthetic Environments in other programmes.