Interactive Scenario Builder
| Company type | Government software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Electronic warfare, Military simulation |
| Founder | Advanced Tactical Environmental Simulation Team (ATEST) |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. area , United States |
| Products | 3D modeling and simulation software for RF and EO/IR signal propagation |
| Owner | United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) |
| Parent | Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Office of Naval Research (ONR) |
Interactive Scenario Builder (Builder) is a sophisticated 3D modeling and simulation software created by the Advanced Tactical Environmental Simulation Team (ATEST) at the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). It facilitates comprehension of radio frequency (RF) and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) signal propagation, functioning as a tactical decision support tool in electronic warfare (EW).
Builder enables geospatial visualization of RF energy, simulating communication and radar systems by determining both one-way and two-way RF propagation losses. The software integrates detailed antenna radiation patterns, radar cross section information, meteorological data, terrain features, environmental factors, and countermeasure effects to calculate signal power levels. Supporting a wide array of mapping formats, Builder enhances geospatial situational awareness for mission preparation, live operations, and post-mission analysis.
Originally designed to generate intricate EW synthetic environments for hardware stimulation and model testing, Builder has evolved beyond evaluation purposes into active deployment by special operations forces and carrier strike groups. Its functionalities encompass options analysis, targeting assistance, and communications network visualization through modules such as Aurora. Additionally, it renders radar beam patterns, coverage zones, terrain occlusion influences, and the impact of radar jamming.
Developed in Java for cross-platform compatibility, Builder is available as government off-the-shelf (GOTS) software. It operates on moderate hardware configurations and supports mission planning by offering detailed insight into platform RF performance with both spatial and temporal situational awareness.
The Electronic Warfare Modeling and Simulation Branch at NRL primarily focuses on assessing current and emerging EW systems using tools like Builder to pinpoint research priorities and aid acquisition as well as operational strategies. Builder’s integration within command and control systems underscores its critical role in electronic warfare scenarios.
Uses
- Tactical decision support for RF and EO/IR applications
- Development of advanced synthetic environments for electronic warfare
- Simulation and analysis of present and future EW platforms
- Visualization of platform-specific RF capabilities
- Modeling radar communications through RF propagation loss assessment
- Mission planning prior to deployment
- Near-real-time geospatial and temporal situational awareness
- Post-mission review and debriefing
- Support for military acquisition processes
- Operational assistance during military engagements
- Surface electronic warfare test and evaluation (T&E)
- Training purposes
- Development of tactical options
- Targeting facilitation
Operational use
- The Effectiveness of Navy Electronic Warfare Systems (ENEWS) team employed Builder to aid the design, specification, and evaluation phases of the EA-6B and AN/SLY-2 (AIEWS) EW systems from initial concept through development.
- During Operation Desert Fox and the Kosovo campaign, the Fleet Information Warfare Center (FIWC) utilized Builder for scheduling and deploying EW assets.
- The U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment applies Builder in mission planning and rehearsal activities.
Developer information
Builder is created by the collaborative efforts of the following organizations:
- Advanced Tactical Environmental Simulation Team (ATEST) (Code 5774)
- Electronic Warfare Modeling & Simulation (EW M&S) Branch (Code 5770)
- Tactical Electronic Warfare Division (TEWD) (Code 5700)
- Systems Directorate (Code 5000)
- Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
- Office of Naval Research (ONR)
Per the Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Resource Registry, the EW M&S Branch specializes in crafting tools aimed at assessing electronic warfare (EW) performance for U.S. Navy units. Previously identified as the Effectiveness of Navy Electronic Warfare Systems (ENEWS) Group (Code 5707), the Builder Team was formerly part of Code 5707.4.
An NRL solicitation document indicates that Code 5707 has a longstanding role in developing simulations encompassing naval EW systems, anti-ship threat modeling, and military communications. These simulations support the design, deployment, and evaluation of electronic and weapons systems by offering a cost-efficient and timely method for force structure analysis, mission planning, testing, and training activities.
Contractor responsibilities include:
- Distributed Simulation Technologies
- Computer Modeling and Simulation
Required expertise spans radar sensor technologies, missile guidance systems, electromagnetic wave propagation in maritime environments, radar cross-section analysis, electronic attack mechanisms, and sophisticated simulation architecture. The simulations employ object-oriented programming techniques and distributed computing on advanced hardware platforms, integrating with intelligence databases to facilitate adaptive EW scenarios. Additionally, efforts include verification and validation processes.
See also
- Office of Naval Research (ONR), a key sponsor in Builder’s development
- Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
- SIMDIS, another software product developed by the EW M&S Branch
General references
Further reading
Papers used as references
Other papers