Redefining the Basic Analytical and Simulation Environment (REBASE)

The Aerospace Vehicle Technology Assessment and Simulation Branch in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) currently develops, maintains, and distributes the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM), a modular, object-oriented Multi-Domain Operations Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A) framework. AFRL intends for AFSIM to support multi-domain, multi-resolution MS&A activities ranging from engineering to mission-level into campaign. Beyond the framework itself, AFRL develops and maintains an extensive AFSIM-compatible toolset including applications to ease scenario and model creation, improve results visualization, and enhance operator-in/on-the-loop interactions.

AFSIM and its ecosystem of tools have evolved significantly over the past 15 years. AFSIM originally provided a flexible solution to study advanced technology concepts within the air domain at the mission level. AFRL has since expanded AFSIM’s capabilities to partially address all warfighting domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber) as well as spectrum of simulation needs from the engineering level to the campaign level. The AFSIM community, including government and industry users across the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community, has encouraged these investments by continuing to supply AFRL with new and challenging requirements. Meanwhile, growing interest in AFSIM has postured the framework to become a common tool in the DoD’s MS&A toolbox.

Under REBASE, AFRL intends to use AFSIM to advance the state of the art in DoD MS&A and respond to the evolving needs of the defense innovation base as it accelerates the research, discovery, development, and transition of novel multi-domain warfighting capabilities.