Lessons Learned in Applying the HLA to the Joint Training Confederation

Abstract : The Joint Training Confederation (JTC) is a collection of service models that have been used to support joint training exercises for Joint Commanders and their staffs. Since 1992, interoperability between these models has been achieved through the application of the Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol (ALSP). With the advent of the High Level Architecture (HLA), it became desirable to replace ALSP with a combination of the Run Time Infrastructure (RTI) and an "ADAPTOR" that would provide an interface to JTC models without having to modify the existing ALSP interfaces of each individual model. In addition, a new Federation Management Tool (FMT) was developed that significantly improves the ability to monitor the JTC during exercises and correct problems as they develop. This paper will review the lessons learned in design, development, and testing of the RTI, ADAPTOR, and FMT, in the JTC. It will address the functional, performance, and reliability of the RTI, ADAPTOR, and FMT that has been observed during testing applications over the past year, and will look into the longer term applications of these new components in the JTC.