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TECH HORIZON > SIMULATION
Contract to Enhance Navy Intelligent Tutoring System Valued at $2.5 Million
SAN MATEO, Calif.—April 19, 2006—Stottler Henke Associates Inc. has been contracted by the U.S. Navy to enhance the simulation-based intelligent tutoring system (ITS) used for training tactical action officers. The goal of the enhacements is to make the more realistic, engaging, and effective, according to a company announcement.
Under the contract, which is valued at approximately $2.5 million, Stottler Henke is creating software that will work with a Northrop Grumman-developed WatchStation simulator, to be used during training exercises at the Navy's Surface Warfare Officer's School in Rhode Island.
“The second-generation [tutoring system] will offer several advantages to the Navy,” said Dick Stottler, president of Stottler Henke Associates, in the announcement. First, he said, the speech-enabled graphical user interface will more accurately represent how a tactical action officer actually works on board a Navy ship by enabling the student to converse with simulated crew members to issue commands and receive information. Second, the new system will employ intelligent agents, rather than instructors, to play the roles of simulated crew members. Third, the enhanced system will automatically evaluate the student's performance in real-time.
The tactical action officer controls a ship's weapons and sensors and directs the movements of the ship, other support vessels, and aircraft, according to the announcement. He or she also monitors the movements and actions of friendly and enemy ships, planes, missiles, and submarines in the region. The officer integrates this information in real time to form a dynamic tactical picture, select appropriate responses, and issue orders.
The system enables students to act as tactical action officers in tactical simulations. The system displays a map of the region and provides access to the ship's sensor, weapon, and communication functions.
Ten areas of expertise will be addressed by the enhanced syste when it is completed, including surface, undersea, and search-and-rescue operations. It is expected to be ready for initial use at this Fall.
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