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

September 2007
 

M&S in Government Highlight

The United States Institute of Peace Brings Simulation Technology to Iraq and Poland

The United States Institute of Peace has a long history of working with simulations. One of the simulations that the Institute currently deploys is the Strategic Economic Needs and Security Exercise (SENSE). SENSE, which was originally developed by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) for use in Bosnia, is a computer-based simulation that focuses on negotiations and decision-making in a post-conflict environment, and simulates the resource allocation challenges confronting national and international decision-makers. The sophisticated computer program provides participants with rapid feedback on the results of their time-sensitive decisions aimed at building political stability, social justice, and a foundation for economic progress. That said, the primary activity in SENSE is negotiation between and among those participating in the simulation. SENSE has been used by USIP in the U.S. as well as the Balkans, the Caucasus, Iraq and Poland.

For example, In 2006 USIP successfully transferred to the Polish Academy of National Defense the capability of administering the SENSE simulation. By doing so, USIP was able to permit civil society and government leaders in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union or Warsaw Pact to benefit from this important conflict management tool. For their part, the Poles are expanding the use of the SENSE simulation to the Belarusians and intend to reach into the Caucasus by offering SENSE training to participants in Georgia in September and in Azerbaijan in October.

To read more on how SENSE has been used across the world, click here.

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. 

MODSIM World Conference and Expo 2007

U.S. Joint Forces Command helped lead a panel on homeland defense and modeling and simulation as the Virginia Beach Convention Center hosted the three-day MODSIM World Conference and Expo 2007 this week. The event features the latest in modeling and simulation technology and discussions about the future of modeling and simulation for use in homeland defense.

MODSIM WORLD is the premier international conference and exposition for collaboration and transfer of modeling & simulation knowledge, new research, development and applied technology across all public and private sectors to support and enhance leadership and management decision-making. To read more about the MODSIM World Conference and Expo, click here.

Photo: Congressman Forbes speaks at the MODSIM World Conference and Expo. Photo courtesy of US Joint Forces Command.

From the Archives: All models are wrong - reflections on becoming a systems scientist

John D. Sterman, a recognized leader in the M&S field and an instructor on Systems Dynamics at MIT, published a report discussing the tools necessary to create an environment where we can learn about complex systems. The paper was based on the talk Sterman delivered at the 2002 International System Dynamics Conference upon presentation of the Jay W. Forrester Award. The following is an excerpt from Sterman's paper:

"Thoughtful leaders increasingly recognize that we are not only failing to solve the persistent problems we face, but are in fact causing them. System dynamics is designed to help avoid such policy resistance and identify high-leverage policies for sustained improvement...". Click here to read more.

SimTV

The simulation industry has just increased its online presence.  SimTV, the Internet television network, has launched and showcases the full capabilities of modeling and simulation technology in Internet video. Simulation industries can use SimTV to communicate important messages and information about research findings, inventions, issue advocacy, and employment opportunities.

Key Features of SimTV:
- Channel Subscriptions
- Featured Links
- Advertising Opportunities

Click here to go to SimTV now.

Upcoming Events

I/ITSEC 2007

Maintaining the Edge...Transforming the Force

November 26 - 29, 2007

Orlando, FL

The annual I/ITSEC conference promotes cooperation among the Armed Services, Industry, Academia and various Government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programs, identification of common training issues and development of multiservice programs. I/ITSEC 2007 will include a M&S Caucus panel on Monday, November 26th. Click here for more information.

M&S In the News

Oberstar and Cummings Commend Coast Guard for Laser Training Demonstration

August 22, 2007

By Mary Kerr
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Tomorrow, the U.S. Coast Guard will demonstrate a new training technique, known as the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), offshore from Cleveland. This method uses lasers instead of live ammunition to simulate combat situations. It will be evaluated for use as an alternative to live-fire training on the Great Lakes. Click here to read more.

U.S. Marines Define Simulation Objectives Through 2017

September 10, 2007

By Jack Weible

Defense News

The U.S. Marine Corps’ new Training Modeling and Simulation Master Plan lays out objectives for the Corps through 2017, with specific goals for 2009, 2014 and beyond. Click here to read more.

Near Misses on Ground Prompt New Use of Cockpit Simulators

August 15, 2007

By Matthew Wald

New York Times

In a step underscoring that much of the risk of air travel occurs on the ground, airlines have agreed to use their cockpit simulators to train pilots to taxi, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday. Click here to read more.

Yes, there's life after Melissoville

September 17, 2007

By Pat Newcomb

The Huntsville Times

Computer-simulation project could help savea real town from poison.The situation in the town of Melissoville is serious. Several people have reported weakness, tingling and numbness in their hands and feet, signs of possible arsenic poisoning. Click here to read more.

Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center Receives Distinction as an ACS-Accredited Education Institute
September 13, 2007
PRNewswire-USNewswire
ROCHESTER, Minn.-- Mayo Clinic'sMultidisciplinary Simulation Center is now one of 11 advanced, comprehensive simulation centers in the United States to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Accreditation by the ACS positions Mayo to offer and advance medical education that will improve patient
safety by increasing health care team members' abilities to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies. Click here to read more.
 

New simulators, online courses change face of flight training

September 25, 2007
By Mark Huber

AIN Online

New technology and tactics are changing flight training against the backdrop of a declining pilot base, fewer student pilot starts and a shortage of flight instructors. The biggest technological breakthrough of late has been the introduction of dynamic flight training devices (FTDs) that are now being incorporated into the curriculum for training on everything from Cessna 172s to the largest airliners. Click here to read more.
 

A mission to lead computer modeling

September 10, 2007

The Daily Press

Mike McGinnis left his teaching job at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 2006 to take the reins at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center. The Suffolk center, an arm of Old Dominion University, is one of the focal points in Hampton Roads' efforts to establish itself as an important national player in modeling and simulation. Click here to read more.

Modeling and simulation class offers college credit in high school

 September 10, 2007

By Amy Couteé

The Virginian-Pilot

Over the shuffle of papers, teacher Jody Strausser called out names last week, mangling just a few, before launching into the project - contracting cholera and the plague. The same juniors and seniors who had glazed over on the first day of school when the teacher talked about class rules now snapped to attention. They would get to simulate how they might have gotten either disease had they lived in Europe in the 1300s. Click here to read more.

Space School; U.S. Air Force Lab Simulates Feel of Operations Centers

September 3, 2007

By Ben Iannotta

Defense News

A secure phone rings inside a U.S. Air Operations Center. Officers scurry to coordinate the UAVs, reconnaissance planes and satellites that are used behind the scenes in the war in Iraq. CNN is on one screen. On the phone, a commander says he suspects insurgents have installed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along a critical roadway. A sandstorm is complicating the collection of airborne imaging. Can a space sensor see what's going on? Click here to read more.

Investigating the Future of Integrated Training

June/July 2007

Military Training and Simulation News

Trevor Nash travels to RAF Waddington to visit the Air Battlespace Traning Centre and view the MTDS CCD. As his report shows, the simulator is opening new vistas as to what is possible with networked simulation. Click here to view the article.

If you have news articles on the M&S industry 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.