Funding available for Live, Virtual, Constructive Training Interoperability

Specific Objective

• A major challenge is to design and evaluate LVC-training to ascertain training value to both Live and Virtual participants.
• While there are many efforts in the development of LVC technology in different domains (e.g., UCATT for land, Distributed Synthetic Training (DST) and Tactical Data Links for the air domain) there is a need to address interoperability in a MDO context and the implications they pose on the current virtual and constructive simulations and the need for common services (Modelling and Simulation as A Service MSaaS). The maturity of standards varies across the different domains (i.e., land, maritime, air, cyber and space), challenges remain to achieve a mature level of interoperability of different Live, Virtual and Constructive entities across EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries and industries.
• There is an urgent need to investigate how to develop a continuous, scalable and flexible learning environment that integrates LVC capabilities seamlessly for persistent training, exercises, and rehearsal in a cost-effective way. This is to be realised through:
  • Development of a roadmap for an interoperable, flexible, and cost-effective Multi Domain Operations LVC training capability by exploiting current training environments and ongoing LVC activities.
  • An LVC Reference Architecture, which is needed to incorporate the Virtual and Constructive simulated world into the live assets. Interoperability standards for LVC systems (e.g., communication, dissemination, service sharing, cyber security) are essential. Therefore, an Open System Architectural approach and standardisation of data exchange is needed to enable multi-domain combat simulation and provide a common entry point and common processes for proprietary systems.
  • Scalable and extendable to integrate new generation assets (manned or unmanned) to implement and enhance several mission management functions. Tightly integrated operation of manned and unmanned assets or intelligent integration of heterogeneous data, improving the overall operational performance of each asset and its perception of the rapidly evolving tactical environment.
  • Executing training and operating in a more distributing environment, in various more integrated tactical scenarios, including advanced cooperative crewed and un-crewed platforms operations

Funding Information

• The estimated available call budget is EUR 15000000.
• Project duration: between 12 and 48 months.

Eligible Activities

• Accordingly, the proposals must cover at least the following tasks as part of mandatory activities:
  • Design:
    • Design and demonstrate technological novelties aiming at improving the training realism and efficiency.
    • Design and demonstrate examples of customised solutions to enhance the current training systems capabilities considering the operational needs and the outcome of above activities.
    • Demonstration and evaluation of a representative MDO combat training scenario in a multi-national context.
• In addition, the proposals should cover the following tasks:
  • Studies:
    • Identify state of the art, research gaps, needs and requirements of MDO Integrated LVC in a multi-national context, including:
      • Identification of gaps in LVC training technologies, technological enablers, and standardisation.
      • Identification and analysis of the state-of-the-art LVC system architectures in the different domains across EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. Identify security (cyber security and cyber defence) and technological gaps, which preclude the interoperability of live tactical data links (e.g., Link 16, Link 22, ADS-B, AIS) in the LVC training network.
      • Survey on potential application of disruptive technologies (such as Extended-Augmented Reality, Big Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence).
      • Identification of the specific interoperability challenges in live systems integration in a MDO multi-national context. Considerations must be given to evolve or integrate legacy solutions.
      • Identification of how current Distributed Synthetic Training (DST) capabilities and Virtual and Constructive assets need to evolve in order to meet the fidelity requirements posed by integration with live assets/platforms.
      • Identify how future LVC capabilities may benefit from using an Modelling and Simulation as a Service (MSaaS) approach in order to implement common services such as terrain and weather services, damages services as well as system initialisation services.
• Achieve an increment in the maturity of the LVC training paradigm and assessing its training value focusing on MDO in a multi-national context, including:
  • Integration of LVC training on operational, strategic, and tactical level. Technologies and interoperability standards for Multi Domain Operations Combination of LVC entities to give efficient and effective training effects.
  • Design of training scenarios and approaches, including preparation, execution and management, and evaluation.
  • Methods for measurement and evaluation of training value and performance
  • Survey on the potential of live training areas in EU to integrate LVC technologies and migrate to a future integrated LVC training area which should ultimately lead to a future common EU training facility.

Expected Outcomes

• The outcome should contribute to:
  • Structure and develop a European ecosystem to support simulation technology for military usages.
  • Establish an EU roadmap for MDO LVC in a multi-national context.
  • Identify and address specific LVC interoperability challenges and gaps in order to establish a cost-efficient LVC training capability for MDO in a multi-national context.
  • Incrementally increase the interoperability of LVC training systems – current and future – to enable the EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ armed to “plug and train” efficiently.
  • Improve the capabilities and effectiveness of On-Board and Ground Training systems by identifying specific LVC challenges and addressing the gaps of federated LVC solutions to promote interoperability, integration and MDO in a multi-national context.
  • Integrate and develop advanced training concepts by adopting novel technologies allowing a proper coverage of emerging needs of a MDO in a multi-national context.
  • Promote convergence on training standards and certifications to foster interoperability of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.
  • Better use of resources (single and multiple domains and assets).
  • Harmonise the EDTIB processes and methods for the development of LVC simulation capabilities.
  • A more effective, efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable Multi Domain Operations combat training and mission rehearsal.
  • Increase the multinational and multi-domain training activities while at the same time improving the corresponding lessons-learned process.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, all applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must cumulatively:
  • Be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • Be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • Non-EU countries:
      • Listed EEA countries (‘EDF associated countries’; list of participating countries)
  • Have their executive management structure established in eligible countries
  • Not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity (unless they can provide guarantees – approved by the Member State or EDF associated country where they are established)

For more information, visit European Commission.