Conceptual Modeling for the Probability of Raid Annihilation (PRA) Testbed
SISO Spring 2007 Simulation Interoperability Workshop
(07S-SIW-074)
A U.S. Navy enterprise methodology has been established for consistent ship self defense operational test and evaluation (OT&E) across all ship classes. A cornerstone of the Navy T&E Enterprise is the Probability of Raid Annihilation (PRA) Testbed. The Navy PRA Testbed implements HLA federated simulations of ship combat system elements against independent, reactive threat raids in a common environment to formulate an overall combat system assessment. The LPD 17 ship class is the first to implement a PRA Testbed baseline as a formal component of ship class OT&E. Products and lessons from the LPD 17 baseline are being transitioned to multiple ship classes including DDG 1000, LHA 6, LCS, and CVN 21.
While the PRA Testbed LPD 17 baseline adheres to the Federation Development and Execution Process (FEDEP), conceptual modeling is a particularly distinctive feature. The Systems Engineering Concept Model (SECM) is an extension of the ‘Conceptual Model’ product of FEDEP step 2 that broadens the impact of conceptual modeling in the SE process and specifically supports federation Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A). Accreditation of the PRA Testbed for LPD 17 operational testing is a challenging proposition. The purpose of the SECM is to provide a central documentation tool for stakeholders to ‘view’ the Testbed capabilities and limitations from multiple perspectives.
The SECM is divided into 3 views, which generally follow sequential stages in Testbed system engineering: System View, Model View, and Federate View. Each view is intended to reveal, address, and resolve a particular class of issues for PRA Testbed accreditation. Explanation of engineering judgments is inclusive to the documentation. The SECM is a not an ‘easy button’ for making engineering decisions or wishing away limitations. Yet, it does create a framework of deliberate intent for making decisions and accountability for limits in capability. The SECM also establishes a persistent documentation product that feeds the corporate knowledge base for subsequent ship classes.
During SECM development many lessons have been learned about conceptual modeling. In this paper, we venture to share those lessons learned and describe how we overcame the trials and tribulations of documenting engineering level details in the SECM for the PRA Testbed LPD 17 baseline.
Richard Reading
VisiTech, Ltd.
Sarah Trbovich
VisiTech, Ltd.
Shala Malone
Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems 7D
