AFRL Transitions Next-Generation Threat System to Navy

  • Published
  • By Garry Boyle, AFRL/RHAE
  • Human Effectiveness Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  AFRL transitioned the Next-Generation Threat System (NGTS) to the Navy and continues to provide system updates stemming from ongoing research and development (R&D). The Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) from which the system transitioned addresses a number of critical problems with legacy electronic combat environments (ECE), including high procurement and sustainment costs and difficulties both with verifying, validating, and accrediting proprietary systems and with procuring a different system for every new training device that surfaces. In a published statement concerning the F-18 simulator top-ten lists, the US Navy indicated that implementing the Naval Aviation Simulation Master Plan (NASMP) would require development of a capable and realistic threat environment. Consequently, the Navy has played an active role in fulfilling the intent of AFRL's goals towards developing and transitioning the NGTS technology.
AFRL's Warfighter Readiness Research Division is constantly redefining team training methods and, as such, engages in several ongoing efforts involving the ECE, or electronic attack/electronic warfare (EA/EW), aspects of training. Over time, the models produced from this focus have evolved--thanks to the influence of continuing R&D--into a physics-based approach to ECE. Accordingly, what originated as a proof-of-concept ECE--The Next Threat System--grew into the ATD known as the NGTS. AFRL transitioned this new technology both to the distributed missions operations community (including the Division Tactical Operations Center, in support of large-force virtual flag exercises) and to Naval Air Systems Command (to support NASMP implementation). The system's real-time, easily updated, data-driven format has not only met the approval of the warfighter community, but has bolstered related science and technology (S&T) activity in other regimes and generated interest from other Department of Defense organizations. 

Because AFRL ultimately expanded its EA/EW threat modeling and simulation S&T to encompass theater and live-virtual-constructive environments, the NGTS has undergone an associated name change. The newly designated "eXperimental Common Immersive Theater Environment," or XCITE, is a powerful developmental tool. Used throughout AFRL's many and varied S&T programs--and also to power several test beds--XCITE provides a rapid prototyping environment wherever a real-time, high-fidelity, computer-generated-forces system is needed.