OPERATOR SUPPORT CONCEPTS FOR TOMAHAWK STRIKE MANAGEMENT

Modeling and simulation play important roles in the exploration of fut ure system capabilities. Plans for the next generation of Tomahawk inc lude a strike management capability (the ability to control missiles a fter launch). The Laboratory has developed strike management conceptua l and functional prototypes that have helped to refine system concepts and requirements, stimulate user feedback, and provide an environment for early algorithm development. The functional prototype has become a valuable tool for examining broader issues of weapon employment and has been incorporated into a distributed interactive simulation enviro nment to help refine real-time control of precision strike weapons as system-level challenges grow in complexity.