Dismounted Warrior Network Enhanced Restricted Terrain (DWN RT): An Independent Assessment

This research encompassed the second in a series of experiments on the functional capabilities of a collection of four Virtual Individual Combatant(VIC) simulation technologies linked in the Dismounted Warrior Network (DWN). These experiments (user and engineering) provided enhanced restricted terrain (ERT) an improved database and VIC systems. The intent was to demonstrate a reliable low cost easy to use way to insert Dismounted Infantry into synthetic virtual environments. Multiple agencies collaborated over several months; experimentation occurred in July 1998. Data collection occurred at the U.S. ArmyInfantry Centers Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab Land Warrior Testbed and the Fort Benning McKenna Military Observations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) site. The four VICs were networked and the individual soldiers in their VICs appeared (visually) to each other in the virtual environment. User exercises measured theVICs' ability to support the individual soldiers as part of a team performing a collective virtual task of room clearing. The MOUT data collection was an attempt to observe the soldiers in actual room clearing. The U.S. Army Research Institute provided man in the loop observations, results of questionnaires and structured interviews.Army Research Inst for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Alexandria VA is the author of 'Dismounted Warrior Network Enhanced Restricted Terrain (DWN RT): An Independent Assessment' with ISBN 9781423544661 and ISBN 1423544668.