The effectiveness and efficiency of Operational Analysis of aerial warfare has been greatly enhanced by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software for representing 'pilot' decision making processes into computer simulation models: a world first in the application of intelligent software agents has been developed by DSTO and the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute. The new procedures using intelligent agents are linked to existing validated software (a huge investment) to define complex situations, which involve tactical decision making processes. The time taken to formulate a scenario to be studied and to set up the associated software has been decreased by the order of 80% over previous methodologies. Computer representations of real world situations embodying interactions between physical models and human reasoning capabilities, which are easy to explain and modify with Defence customers, have been implemented. The methodology described here may be applied to computer simulation studies involving the representation of human decision making. It is being used to develop a range of computer simulation models across DSTO. Computer-generated forces can be based on this approach. Other government or business applications of the underlying dMARS Artificial Intelligence software are possible.

Air mission modelli ng using graphical simulation provides a powerful means for development and evaluation of tactics. However, large models are particularly expensive and time-consuming to maintain and modify. Multi -aircraft full mission man-in-the-loop simulators will provide an even more complex programming environment. The dMARS software provides a suitable environment for the development of an air mission simulation model based on the concept of rational agents. This approach allows the analyst to work at a high level, formulating concepts and aims, while keeping the detailed computer programming hidden. This research and development project aims to provide the basis for an advanced multi -aircraft milit ary simulation called the Smart Whole AiR Mission Model (SWARMM). It is a simulation system that will be capable of simulating the physics of whole air missions and the pilot reasoning involved in such missions. AAII and DSTO-AMRL are the primary participants in this project in the CRC for Intelli gent Decision Systems. This system will provide DSTO with the abilit y to rapidly evaluate and test counterair tactics for the RAAF. It will provide high-fidelity simulation of combat aircraft, ground controlled intercept (GCI) controllers, and surveill ance aircraft, advanced reasoning capabiliti es for modelli ng the pilot's reasoning process, and sophisticated visualisation tools to enable a better understanding of whole air missions. It will enable DSTO to rapidly create and modify tactics used as part of the pilot's reasoning process as well as rapidly setting up a simulation scenario for operational studies.