Defence Simulation and Modelling MSc

• Dr John Salt

To prepare you mathematically and organisationally to study at CDS on the Defence Simulation and Modelling and Military Operational Research Postgraduate programs.

• Course Structure,
• Intro to IT (Email, VLE, Online Access),
• Library Introduction and Referencing,
• Fundamental Mathematics: Probability, Statistics, Algebra, Equations (linear, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic),
• Further Mathematics for MOR only: Matrices, Linear Systems and Solution, Differentiation, and Integration,
• Introduction to MATLAB (MOR students only),
• Fundamentals of Computing,
• Spreadsheet Basics,
• Study skills for postgraduate study.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Describe the course structure and assessment procedures,
• Find and correctly cite research material,
• Employ the fundamental mathematics required by the course,
• Demonstrate the study skills necessary to complete a postgraduate degree through a short formative assessment.

• John Hoggard

To make you aware of the roles, concepts and applications of modelling and simulation in defence, and to understand how to construct simple models.

• The general principles of modelling and simulation,
• The role of modelling and simulation in supporting Defence decision making, training and analysis,
• The typical components of M&S systems,
• The technologies of live, constructive and virtual simulation and their Defence applications,
• An introduction to defence synthetic environments,
• Organisations involved in Defence M&S, both in the UK and elsewhere,
• Practicals hands-on with different Defence M&S systems.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Explain and apply the general principles of Modelling and Simulation (M&S) and the main components of M&S systems,
• Identify the main organisations involved in M&S for Defence,
• Discuss the importance of M&S in supporting Defence decision-making, training and analysis,
• Examine the technologies of live, constructive and virtual simulation and their Defence applications,
• Recognise the context for the subjects and modules that will be addressed in the remainder of the award, with reference to their significance for application in Defence M&S.

This module aims to give you an introduction to the wide range of modelling and simulation techniques used in Defence applications, from the basic underpinning principles of their construction through to the challenges and issues in their procurement, acquisition and capability management.

1. Verification and Validation of Defence M&S solutions.
2. Different approaches for implementing Defence M&S solutions including:

 

• Intelligent Systems techniques and issues,
• Discrete Event Simulation,
• System Dynamics modelling,
• Big Data and Analytics.

 

1. Software Development, Implementation and Management.
2. Acquisition of Defence M&S.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Discuss the main principles underlying a range of different modelling techniques in order to use them appropriately in Defence-related contexts.
• Examine the requirement to make use of AI techniques (including for the representation of human behaviour, both individual and collective) in Defence simulations and explore the strengths and weaknesses of different AI modelling techniques
• Recognise how software is developed and how the processes and principles of software engineering support the implementation of appropriate applications in Defence related modelling and simulation.
• Identify the main organisations, processes and policies relevant to the acquisition and through life support of Defence M&S Systems & Services.

To enable you to gain an understanding of the methods and applications of real time 3D computer graphics.

• Coordinate systems and transforms,
• 3D Printing and CAD Modelling,
• Rendering techniques,
• Graphics application programming,
• Graphics hardware and architectures,
• Games technologies and engines,
• Applications of real-time computer graphics, including standards.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Explain the fundamental representations, techniques and processes underpinning real time 3D computer graphics
• Describe the role and capabilities of graphics programming libraries and engines
• Discuss the different techniques for creating and rendering scenes, and identify those relevant to given applications
• Appraise the issues in specifying and designing real- time computer graphics systems for Defence uses.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the tools and methods used in creating suitable content for Synthetic Environments, by using those tools to construct their own functional and implementable 3D models that could be placed in a variety of Synthetic Environments.

• Jeremy Smith

To provide you with a general knowledge of the techniques used in wargaming, combat simulations and analytical battle models.

• Introduction: An introduction to the methods used in combat modelling and their application in support of defence decision making and training.
• Combat Simulation: The basic principles of discrete event Monte Carlo simulations of combat, illustrated through the use of a simple engagement model. Extension of the concepts to allow more realistic representation of the battlefield. Aggregated models of combat.
• Lanchester’s Equations: The deterministic and stochastic Lanchester equations for direct and indirect fire as used for both homogeneous and heterogeneous forces. The application of Lanchester’s equations in current models of combat.
• War Gaming/lnteractive Simulation: The underlying principles of war gaming and the interactive simulation of combat as used for the assessment, testing and training of military forces and their equipment. The synthetic battlefield. Synthetic Environments: Constructive, virtual and live simulations of combat. Manual Combat Wargames. Other gaming techniques.
• War Gaming and Combat Modelling Practicals: The practical application of war gaming and combat modelling with issues such as : data and scenarios, terrain modelling, combat algorithms (attrition and movement), the representation of human factors, measures of effectiveness, the verification and validation of combat models, automated forces, simulation for training and distributed simulation.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Critically appraise the full range of wargames and combat simulations and apply them to Defence problems
• Use the deterministic and stochastic Lanchester equations to represent combat between both homogeneous and heterogeneous forces
• Examine different interactive computer based representations of military operations
• Explain how the different methods of representing the operations of military forces are used in the training, testing and assessment of those forces and their equipment.

• John Hoggard

To enable you to understand the issues and challenges in specifying, designing and constructing real-time computer graphics systems, together with their components, with particular reference to interactive virtual environments and simulators as used in Defence. Following on from techniques covered in the RTG Module.

• Typical composition of virtual simulator systems – including Display systems and Motion Systems,
• Relevant architectures and standards such as CIGI (Common Image Generator Interface),
• Geospatial data and terrain/environment construction,
• Workflow, creation, adaptation and integration of components in virtual simulation solutions,
• Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), Augmented Reality AR), Extended Reality (XR),
• Emerging and developing technologies.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Examine the architectures and main components typically required when constructing complete visual solutions in Defence, with particular reference to virtual simulation systems
• Apply the tools, techniques and processes to utilise relevant geospatial source datasets in order to provide the range of different terrain and environmental representations typically needed in Defence simulation applications, with particular reference to how these are evolving to meet emerging enterprise and systems architecture requirements.
• Differentiate the range of display options (including emerging technologies such as VR/AR/MR/XR) for delivering visual and associated information to simulation users, in order to evaluate their suitability for particular Defence requirements.
• Recognise the need for active adoption and development of relevant standards that enable Defence to coherently re-use and manage its resources in order to improve interoperability and value-for-money at the enterprise level.

• Jeremy Smith

To provide you with the skills to design, manage, analyse and assess simulation based trials in support of training, experimentation and acquisition.

Experimental Design including sampling and ethical considerations,

Methodology and analysis of statistical data (Inference, ANOVA and Regression),

Definition, Execution, Analysis, Present and Critical assessment of simulation based experimentation and trials reports,

 

Visiting speakers from MOD and Defence Industry as appropriate to complement coverage of;

• Integrated Test Evaluation and Acceptance and planning (ITEAP),
• Simulation Experimentation.

 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Describe the place and utility of simulation based experimentation and trials within Defence Core Business,
• Critically assess the design, planning and execution of simulation based experimentation and trials and the analysis of results,
• Critically appraise the impact of experimentation and trial constraints on the data collection and analysis methods used,
• Quantify and graph the results of an experiment or trial and analyse these results in relatively simple cases,
• Develop effective methods to design, perform, analyse and report a simulation based experiment or trial.

• Jeremy Smith

To enable you to understand the application of operational research techniques to the assessment of weapon systems.

• Concepts of performance and effectiveness measures,
• Dispersion of fire,
• Accuracy, consistency and precision,
• Calculation of single shot kill probability for direct fire weapons,
• Modelling of area effect weapons (eg shells, grenades) including using the damage function,
• Modelling of minefields and calculation of stopping power,
• Assessment of direct fire systems examples,
• Methods for modelling of land, sea and air targets,
• Approaches to the analysis of various other weapon systems,
• Force effectiveness comparisons,
• Practical exercises to illustrate the theories,
• Cost effectiveness principles.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Apply the cycle of weapon assessment studies and the measures of performance and effectiveness,
• Evaluate the need and collection methods for data in models and the application of statistics,
• Analyse the nature of various direct fire weapons and calculate performance measures for them,
• Review the nature of area weapons and apply the damage function and lethal area in the analysis of their effects,
• Explain the issues surrounding practical weapon assessment projects including force effectiveness and cost effectiveness analyses.

• Jonathan Searle

To enable you to appreciate the main ways in which defence simulation systems make use of networking technology. The emphasis of the module is on the use by simulations of TCP/IP style LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks) with particular reference to the design, construction, integration, testing, operation and use of integrated and interoperable networks of fully distributed systems and components which form the basis of Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) defence Synthetic Environments.

• Fundamentals of computer communications, networking, LANs and WANs,
• Main hardware components of computer networks,
• ISO OSI Architecture and network protocols (eg TCP/IP),
• Features and facilities of TCP/IP and their relevance to simulation systems,
• Networked and distributed simulation architectures,
• Simulation interoperability and composability,
• The design, management, configuration and testing of distributed simulation components, systems and networks,
• Networking interoperability standards in defence simulation (eg DIS, HLA),
• Practical experiments and case studies.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Discuss and recommend network strategies and architectures appropriate to the needs of a particular simulation system
• Carry out basic network configuration and testing functions using standard network tools
• Configure a range of simulation applications to demonstrate the issues and processes of simulation interoperability.
• Discuss and explain the issues in the design and application of different Synthetic Environment solutions to address a range of topics in the defence arena.

The aim of this module is to allow students to conduct an in-depth study in an area of particular personal interest or relevance to them, in the context of their degree.

• A self-study ‘mini-project’ conducted over two weeks, on an individually selected and agreed topic, which must follow on from one or more already completed standard taught modules in that degree,
• Full-time students will have 10 working days timetabled, whereas Part-time students will typically complete their work over a 6-week period.  One such block of 6 weeks being offered in each academic term.

 

• Plan, organise and undertake a short individual, open-ended research activity with appropriate supervision,
• Plan to acquire, organise, discuss, assess and apply relevant knowledge,
• Gather and critically appraise data and utilise it within the appropriate context,
• Critically apply appropriate methods, tools, techniques, processes and knowledge to the topic selected,
• Communicate findings in the form of both a written deliverable and an oral presentation.

• Jonathan Searle

The aim of this module is to allow students to conduct an in-depth study in an area of particular personal interest or relevance to them, in the context of their degree.

• A self-study ‘mini-project’ conducted over 10 working days, on an individually selected and agreed topic, which must follow on from one more already completed standard taught modules in that degree,
• Full-time students will have 10 working days timetabled, whereas Part-time students will typically complete their work over a 6-week period. One such block of 6 weeks being offered in each academic term.

• Plan, organise and undertake a short individual, open-ended research activity with appropriate supervision,
• Plan to acquire, organise, discuss, assess and apply relevant knowledge,
• Gather and critically appraise data and utilise it within the appropriate context,
• Critically apply appropriate methods, tools, techniques, processes and knowledge to the topic selected,
• Communicate findings in the form of both a written deliverable and an oral presentation.

• Jonathan Searle

The aim of this module is to allow students to conduct an in-depth study in an area of particular personal interest or relevance to them, in the context of their degree.

• A self-study ‘mini-project’ conducted over 10 working days, on an individually selected and agreed topic, which must follow on from one more already completed standard taught modules in that degree.
• Full-time students will have 10 working days timetabled, whereas Part-time students will typically complete their work over a 6-week period. One such block of 6 weeks being offered in each academic term.

• Plan, organise and undertake a short individual, open-ended research activity with appropriate supervision,
• Plan to acquire, organise, discuss, assess and apply relevant knowledge,
• Gather and critically appraise data and utilise it within the appropriate context,
• Critically apply appropriate methods, tools, techniques, processes and knowledge to the topic selected,
• Communicate findings in the form of both a written deliverable and an oral presentation.

• Jonathan Searle

The aim of this module is to allow students who have completed the pre-requisite NDS (or SimET) course to work as a group to design, setup and operate a basic battlespace Synthetic Environment (SE) exercise employing LAN and WAN distributed simulation technology.

A collective group project to:

 

• Design, build, test and operate a basic distributed battlespace exercise composed of a heterogeneous mix of simulation systems, in order to conduct a series of experimental runs to generate and collect data relevant to a given study problem,
• Conduct post-exercise analysis and review of the data collected in the experiments, describing the results obtained and delivering a critical technical appraisal of the project and lessons learned.

 

Note that NDSE typically requires physical attendance at Shrivenham Campus for two weeks.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Jonathan Searle

The aim is to allow the students to develop and apply their skills in their chosen area of study, consolidating their learning and understanding across all elements of the course, through application in-depth to a real-world context of interest to them.

• Not applicable, as the MSc Thesis is an individual self-study activity where an appropriate topic will be selected by the student in consultation with Academic Staff.Upon completion of the thesis, students may also be required to undergo a viva voce oral examination.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Plan, organise and undertake an individual, open-ended research activity with appropriate supervision, including working to agreed milestones, establishing clear objectives and specifications,
• Gather, acquire, organise, discuss, assess and apply knowledge associated with complex real-world problems,
• Critically appraise data and utilise it within the appropriate academic and practical context,
• Critically apply appropriate methods, tools, techniques and processes to the topic selected,
• Communicate findings in the form of a written dissertation through critical analysis.