An air-to-air Situationally Interactive Combat Model (SICM)

This paper discusses the Situationally Interactive Combat Model (SICM), a user-friendly air-to-air combat engagement model that is used to perform analyses of offensive and defensive tactics employment, changes to avionics suite components and aircraft capabilities, and changes of air-to-air armament systems. The inputs to the model are the performance parameters of the many disparate elements that comprise airborne weapon systems, and the outputs are various types of measures of engagement-level effectiveness. SICM supports the modeling of all sensor systems and the fusion of sensor data. The modeling techniques allow for rapid prototyping and for the very low cost method of evaluating new ideas and development strategies. Although originally designed for beyond visual range (BVR) engagements, improvements in graphical display of the engagements and maneuvering of aircraft have expanded SICM´s capabilities to include the performance and display of close in combat (CIC). This model has supported the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) Milestone I Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis (COEA), the Integrated Electronic Warfare System (INEWS) Milestone I COEA, the Mark XV Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Milestone II COEA, and a number of marginal utility analyses for Wright Laboratory, WPAFB, Ohio. SICM is the model of choice for analysts due to its ease of use, user interactivity, speed of execution, sensor identification capabilities, and engagement modeling fidelity