Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Founder and Co-chairman        
Congressman Solomon Ortiz, Co-chairman

March 2008
 

Bill to Enhance the Study of M&S Included in Education Bill that Passes House

The House of Representatives passed last month the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, which included a program to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher education. This program was a part of a bill originally sponsored by Congressman Bobby Scott's (VA-03),  H.R. 4165.

Currently, a limited number of institutions of higher education have Modeling and Simulation programs, including undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The grant program included in the House-passed College Opportunity and Affordability Act will provide a critical source of funding for colleges and universities that want to expand and improve their Modeling and Simulation programs. The grant will also provide important seed money for colleges and universities that do not have a program to establish a Modeling and Simulation program.

2008 Defense Modeling & Simulation Conference

Modeling & Simulation: Roadmap to Success for 2020

The National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), with logistical support from PEO STRI hosted its 3rd Annual Defense Modeling and Simulation Conference (DMSC) on March 10-14 in Orlando, Florida. The conference them was "Modeling & Simulation: Roadmap to Success for 2020" and focused on an in-depth assessment of issues affecting M&S issues. The conference is the Department of Defense's key event for bringing M&S professionals together to discuss policies and plans surrounding M&S.

Confirmed keynote speaker at the event included General Richard Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. The event was held in conjunction with the Army Modeling and Simulation Conference, M&S Communities, Air Force Modeling and Simulation Conference, and Connections Conference. For more information on the conference, click here.

Third Annual M&S Leadership Summit a Success

The 3rd Annual M&S Leadership Summit,  sponsored by the National Training Systems Association (NTSA),  took place on February 11, 2008 at the Westin Hotel, Virginia Beach Town Center. The Summit focused on education, following the theme "Education: Enabling Modeling and Simulation, a National Critical Technology.”

PEO STRI Event Held on Capitol Hill

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) hosted an interactive simulation technology display on Capitol Hill on February 7, 2008.  Members of Congress and their staff members visited the displays that highlighted interactive military simulations and training devices. Among those attending the PEO STRI event were Secretary of the Army, Mr. Pete Geren. Members of the M&S Caucus Reps. Randy Forbes, Solomon Ortiz, Tom Feeney, and Ric Keller were sponsors of the event. The photos below highlight some of the event.

Photos L to R: Members of Congress tried out interactive simulation training devices; Congressional staff members learn about modeling and simulation; Rep. Randy Forbes and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren in conversation at the event.

M&S Caucus Member Spotlight

Congressman Zach Wamp

Congressional District:  Tennessee - 3rd District
 

Hometown:  Chattanooga, Tennessee
 

Years in Congress:  13
 

Committee Assignments:  Appropriations Committee (Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Energy & Water Subcommittee)
 

Government M&S in his district: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga SimCenter: National Center for Computational Engineering

Rep. Wamp on M&S: "Whether it is vehicle efficiency, defense systems or medical applications, modeling and simulation affects our everyday lives in ways that many of us never even realize. To industry, it fills a need for critical research and enables cost-competitive design, while it makes everyday life a little easier and safer for the average person. M&S is critical to continuing U.S. technology leadership and the Tennessee Valley is leading in this area.” 

To visit Rep. Wamp's website, go to http://www.house.gov/wamp/

Upcoming Events

ITEC 2008
June 10-12, 2008
Stockholm, Sweden

ITEC is a three day conference and exhibition and the only conference dedicated to defense training, simulation and education outside of the U.S.  Registration for the conference is now open. Click here for more information on the event.

M&S Must Reads

U.S. Navy demonstrates world's most powerful EMRG
February 7, 2008

Office of Naval Research Public Affairs
The Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) successfully conducted a record-setting firing of an electromagnetic railgun at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va. Jan. 31. Click here to read more.

Virtual Human In HIV Drug Simulation
January 29, 2008
RedOrbit News
The combined supercomputing power of the UK and US ‘national grids’ has enabled UCL (University College London) scientists to simulate the efficacy of an HIV drug in blocking a key protein used by the lethal virus. The method – an early example of the Virtual Physiological Human in action – could one day be used to tailor personal drug treatments, for example for HIV patients developing resistance to their drugs. Click here to read more.

2008 Forecast for Gamers
December 3, 2007
Military Training Technology
The demand for serious games as learning tools is surging throughout military services in the U.S. and overseas. While the volume of start-up projects being launched across the military departments has garnered much attention, other developments have largely gone unnoticed, including the scope of training missions that will be supported by this technology and the community’s early efforts to implement standards and other technical guidelines. Click here to read more.

If you have news articles on M&S that you would like to have featured in a future issue of the Modeling and Simulation Newsletter, please email them to the M&S Newsletter.

Modeling & Simulation e-newsletter

Join the Modeling and Simulation Caucus email newsletter list by signing up online at http://randyforbes.house.gov/mscaucus. In addition, you can stay informed by reading past issues online.

If your organization would like to be featured in a future issue of the Modeling and Simulation Government Highlight section, please email background information and photos to the M&S Newsletter.