Army Intelligent Agents for Software Engineering

by C. Ronald Green, U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command

Computer technologies are the force multiplier for the Army After Next warfighter. The U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command is developing advanced computer hardware and software technologies to provide the 21^st century warfighter with information superiority. Much of this work is being done by the Missile Defense and Space Technology Center's Advanced Technology Directorate in Huntsville, Alabama.

The use of state-of-the-art advanced interface effectors with total spectrum information presentation, autonomous intelligent agents, and self-learning decision aids combined with distributed heterogeneous high-speed processors provide the capability to collect, process, and disseminate a fault tolerant flow of information and knowledge while exploiting or denying an adversary's ability to do the same.

Advanced Intelligent Agents currently available as a result of this research include the: Decision Support Tool, Reuse Decision Maker's Toolset, and Verification, Validation and Accreditation Computer-Based Training Courseware.

The Decision Support Tool (DST) is a PC-based support tool that enables users to improve decision making, record decision rationale, integrate mechanisms, and capture historical data. The current version of the DST has been applied to the mission application segmentation processes of the Defense Information Infrastructure (DII) Common Operating Environment (COE). These processes aid in identifying and developing COE components, and developing COE-based applications. The DST provides the user with a complete description of activities associated with developing a COE software segment through the use of automated tools which reduce user generated input errors. The DST also provides insight into the DII compliance requirements by allowing the user to perform a pre-compliance application test that helps to determine potential cost and schedule impacts.

The Reuse Decision-Maker's Toolset (RDT) is a PC-based software tool that automates the Software Reuse Business Model. The RDT provides guidance to program planners and decision makers on performing reuse-based software acquisition. The tool employs a graphical user interface, relational database, and extensive support and help features. The RDT provides program and domain management personnel a detailed process to develop and implement reuse activities throughout the system acquisition life cycle. The tool addresses three perspectives which identify key activities that must be performed and provides mechanisms allowing the capturing of key information regarding decisions made throughout the acquisition process:

• User Perspective - Activities include identifying mission need and assessing reuse activities.

• Domain Perspective - Activities include developing domain infrastructure, developing high-level acquisition strategy, and implementing and maintaining the domain.

• Program Perspective - Activities include identifying requirements, developing, and refining business plan, performing contracting, managing system development, and deploying and maintaining system.

The Verification, Validation & Accreditation Computer-Based Training courseware provides broad spectrum VV&A training for the modeling and simulation community with special emphasis on Distributed Interactive Simulations. The courseware is intended to promote uniform application of VV&A processes Army and DoD-wide. The VV&A CBT course materials are layered into four levels to meet a broad cross-section of skills, backgrounds, and interests:

• Level 1 includes the introduction, main menus, and instructions on how to use the training package.

• Level 2 contains tutorials on VV&A methodology and application, and is targeted at managers, decision makers, planners, and practitioners. Specifically, this level contains a VV&A overview and tutorials on VV&A of DIS, VV&A application tailoring, and requirements for Subject Mater Experts (SME).

• Level 3 provides "how to" instructions for VV&A practitioners. It may also be used by managers or planners who need additional material on a specific subject. It includes detailed training modules which address planning, tailoring, and costing VV&A, personnel issues, documentation requirements, configuration management, and acceptability measures.

• Level 4 provides references to assist users in finding and accessing additional material related to M&S, DIS, and VV&A.

Dr. C. Ronald Green is the chief of the computer technologies division within the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville. During his career, Green served as a design engineer with Boeing and Sperry Rand where he worked on control systems for the Saturn V and the B-52.

Dr. Green earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Alabama and both a master's degree in administrative science and a doctorate in computer science from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Dr. Green is the point of contact for software issues and for transitioning emerging computer technologies within the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command.

Author Contact Information

Dr. C. Ronald Green
U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command
CSSD-TC-AS
PO Box 1500
Huntsville, AL 35807-380

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