Extensible Modeling and simulation Framework (Xmsf) Challenges for Web-Based Modeling and Simulation FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 2002 1 Introduction: Purpose, Scope, Shortcomings and status 1.1 Purpose As the Department of Defense(DoD)is engaged in both warfighting and institutional transformation for the new millennium, DoD Modeling Simulation(M&S) similarly needs to identify and adopt transformational technologies which provide direct tactical relevance to warfighters. Today the only software systems that can composably scale to worldwide scope utilize World Wide Web technologies. It is evident that an extensible web-based framework shows great promise to scale up the capabilities of M&s systems to meet the needs of training, analysis, system acquisition and tactical preview needed by operational warfighters Defense M&s includes a large and diverse set of applications which individually provide advanced computing capabilities. Embracing commercial web technologies as a shared-communications platform and a ubiquitous-delivery framework will enable current M&s to fully leverage mainstream industry practices for large-scale software development. Similarly, providing web interoperability to general M&s applications can provide broad new classes of capability for commercial, educational and scientific applications 1. 2 Scope Web-based technologies have the capability to support interoperability of the spectrum of doD models and simulations including constructive, virtual, and live systems. Web-based technologies can integrate legacy simulation frameworks, tactical systems and the increasingly important distance-learning technologies. This report describes the basis and initial requirements for such transformational interoperability, through development of the Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework(XMSF The precepts of XMSF are Web-based technologies applied within an extensible framework will enable a new generation of modeling simulation(M&s) applications to emerge, develop and interoperate Support for operational tactical systems is a missing but essential requirement for defense M&s pplication frameworks An extensible framework of XML-based languages can provide a bridge between diverse M&s requirements and open/commercial web standards, while continuing to support existing M&s technologies Compatible and complementary technical approaches are now possible for model definition, simulation execution, network-based education and training, network scalability, and distributed animation of 2D/3D graphics presentations Web-based approaches for technology, software tools, content production and broad usage ovide best business cases from an enterprise-wide(i.e. worldwide) perspective XMSF Workshop Symposium Report, October 2002XMSF Workshop & Symposium Report, October 2002 page 7 Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) Challenges for Web-Based Modeling and Simulation FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 2002 1 Introduction: Purpose, Scope, Shortcomings and Status 1.1 Purpose As the Department of Defense (DoD) is engaged in both warfighting and institutional transformation for the new millennium, DoD Modeling & Simulation (M&S) similarly needs to identify and adopt transformational technologies which provide direct tactical relevance to warfighters. Today the only software systems that can composably scale to worldwide scope utilize World Wide Web technologies. It is evident that an extensible web-based framework shows great promise to scale up the capabilities of M&S systems to meet the needs of training, analysis, system acquisition and tactical preview needed by operational warfighters. Defense M&S includes a large and diverse set of applications which individually provide advanced computing capabilities. Embracing commercial web technologies as a shared-communications platform and a ubiquitous-delivery framework will enable current M&S to fully leverage mainstream industry practices for large-scale software development. Similarly, providing web interoperability to general M&S applications can provide broad new classes of capability for commercial, educational and scientific applications. 1.2 Scope Web-based technologies have the capability to support interoperability of the spectrum of DoD models and simulations including constructive, virtual, and live systems. Web-based technologies can integrate legacy simulation frameworks, tactical systems and the increasingly important distance-learning technologies. This report describes the basis and initial requirements for such transformational interoperability, through development of the Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF). The precepts of XMSF are: · Web-based technologies applied within an extensible framework will enable a new generation of modeling & simulation (M&S) applications to emerge, develop and interoperate. · Support for operational tactical systems is a missing but essential requirement for defense M&S application frameworks. · An extensible framework of XML-based languages can provide a bridge between diverse M&S requirements and open/commercial web standards, while continuing to support existing M&S technologies. · Compatible and complementary technical approaches are now possible for model definition, simulation execution, network-based education and training, network scalability, and distributed animation of 2D/3D graphics presentations. · Web-based approaches for technology, software tools, content production and broad usage provide best business cases from an enterprise-wide (i.e. worldwide) perspective