A Web-Based Coordination System for MSDL/C-BML Coalitions

Priscilla McAndrews, Lisa Nicklas, and Dr. J. Mark Pullen C4I Center George Mason University Fairfax, VA 22030, USA +1 703 993 3682 {pmcandre,lnicklas,mpullen}@c4i.gmu.edu Experience has demonstrated that practical deployment of SISO Military Scenario Definition Language (MSDL) and Coalition Battle Management Language (C-­‐BML) at a scale beyond one C2 system connected to one simulation system requires a significant coordination effort. The NATO MSG-­‐048 Technical Activity deployed, in its final experimentation, six national C2 systems and five national simulations, all them capable of simultaneous interoperation. In this environment, it became clear that synchronized operation of multiple systems under the control of human operators is extremely difficult if not impossible. Yet one of the greatest potential benefits of MSDL/C-­‐BML systems is likely to come from interoperation of multiple C2 and simulation systems, for example for training and rehearsal within a multinational brigade. To address this problem, the GMU C4I Center has developed Status Monitor and Control, a Web-­‐based coordination system that can give phased cues to all operators in the coalition and provide them with visibility regarding the state of all participating systems. With the addition of a central coordinating Web service and automated interfaces on the client systems, synchronization can be partly or fully automated. This paper describes the human and software interfaces of Status Monitor and Control and the logic of its internal coordination processes, as well as initial experience with its use.