A Guide for Analysis Using Advanced Distributed Simulation (ADS)

This guide is intended to assist those in the vanguard of using Advanced Distributed Simulation (ADS) for analysis. It discusses ADS analysis strengths and weaknesses, the role ADS might play within a broader analysis strategy, experimental design, exercise preparation and management, and post-exercise analysis. ADS today can realistically treat human performance, obtain insights into the cause-and-effect combat drivers, effectively communicate analytic results to decisionmakers, facilitate multidisciplinary research teams, and combine multiple disparate service simulations into a single joint simulation for theaterwide scenarios at a high level of detail. There are, however, significant challenges to be overcome before the potential of ADS can be realized: the complexity of a distributed joint simulation, exclusive use of human-in-the-loop analysis, and the logistical load and expense of distributed simulations, data, and personnel. Interoperability among models is essential, and is the primary obstacle in achieving widespread analytic utility from ADS. The authors believe that ADS is often best used in conjunction with stand-alone constructive simulations.