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From: gettt@lbm.com (Terry Gett)
Subject: Technology Search
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Organization: LB&M Associates, Lawton, OK
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 16:04:37 GMT
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LB&M Associates, Inc., is conducting a search for existing and 
developing technologies that have high potential for application to a 
decision enhancement system (DES) to be embedded in field artillery 
systems.  The primary purpose of the DES is to improve the combat 
performance of the crew.

The on-board DES will provide appropriate levels of decision support to 
field artillery crew members of future self-propelled howitzers and 
resupply vehicles.

We are interested in researching and evaluating software that may be 
easily extended/adapted to the functionality addressed in the paragraphs 
that follow.  We prefer to examine potentially reusable software at our 
facilities in Lawton, OK.  However, if our hardware and software 
capabilities will not support your application, we may coordinate travel 
to your facility to view a demonstration of your application and/or 
request technical information on your product.

The decision enhancement system will cover six broad functional areas:

	Fire Mission Processing (FMP) supports decision making by the crew 
	in the planning and execution of indirect fire.

	Sustainment (ST) supports decision making by the crew in managing 
	the logistical effort and monitoring system status.

	Self Defense (SD) supports decision making by the crew in managing 
	self-defense planning and proposing self-defense plans for crew 
	consideration.

	Terrain Analysis (TA) is responsible for managing the planning, 
	evaluation and selection of routes and sites.

	Embedded Training (ET) supports decision making by providing over-
	the-shoulder coaching to the crew.

	Mission Management (MM) is peculiar to the resupply vehicle and 
	supports decision making by the crew in planning resupply missions in 
	response to mission requests.

Our computer environment includes:

	Sun Sparc architecture platforms running SunOS 4.1.3
		(including single-board Sparc  processors in a VME chassis).
	IBM 486 PCs running DOS 5.0/Windows 3.1 or SCO UNIX.
	Macintosh running Mac OS System 7.1.


Please address your responses as follows:

	to: gettt@lbm.com
	cc: bellt@lbm.com
	cc: brownb@lbm.com

Include the statement "Technology Search" on the subject line.

You may contact us by telephone at (405) 355-1471
or by FAX at (405) 357- 9360.

We must complete our evaluation by the end of the third week in November.

For more information about the specific functions of the DES, see the 
following paragraphs:

	FMP supports decision making by the howitzer crew in the planning 
	and execution of indirect fire.  FMP maintains the mission schedule and 
	manages fire mission requests.  All incoming fire mission requests are 
	routed to the FMP for evaluation and scheduling.  FMP arbitrates all 
	conflicts involving fire missions and the actions of DES subsystems, 
	unless specifically overridden by the crew.

	ST manages the logistical effort and monitors system status.  This 
	subsystem maintains inventories and generates supply/service requests 
	when inventory items are needed or when reorder thresholds are reached.  
	ST monitors sensor data from mechanical and electronic systems on the 
	vehicle.  ST uses the sensor data to diagnose future failure of equipment 
	and automatically requests assistance from support activities when 
	required.

	SD monitors and evaluates internal and external conditions that 
	affect security and survival of the crew, and provides them with the 
	capability to plan and execute self-defense.  Specifically, SD proposes 
	self-defense plans for the crew consideration.

	ET provides over-the-shoulder coaching to users of the DES, as well 
	as dedicated training using either the operational system in a simulated 
	mode or using stand-alone courseware and tutorials.  ET anticipates and 
	reacts to user needs to stimulate continuous learning and ensure correct 
	performance using a variety of resources: help, job aids, audio 
	messages, mini-tutorials, courseware, "simware" and other integrated 
	features.  ET maintains performance data and provides reports and 
	comparative analyses of performance and training.

	TA analyzes the terrain and tactical situation to support the crew 
	with a variety of terrain-related services including: automated route 
	planning, position selection, line-of-sight determinations, and 
	depiction of enemy and friendly units, operational overlays/graphics and 
	threat avenues-of-approach.

	The MM subsystem of the self-propelled resupply vehicle is responsible 
	for planning and monitoring activities.  The subsystem plans resupply 
	missions in response to resupply requests.  MM determines which vehicle 
	(from the assigned pool) will conduct the resupply, when it will be 
	executed and the quantities of supplies that will be provided.  In 
	addition, MM alerts the crew of upcoming activities on the schedule/
	queue, alerts the crew to delays impacting on scheduled activities and 
	recommends when to go get supplies and when to perform deferred 
	maintenance activities.

---
Terry A. Gett 
LB & M Associates, Inc.          E-Mail: gettt@lbm.com
211 S.W. 'A' Avenue               Phone: (405) 355-1471
Lawton, OK  73501                   Fax: (405) 357-9360

