Autonomous conduct of indirect fire in interactive simulations

In the conduct of interactive computer simulations involving the combat of ground forces, it is frequently desirable to provide a capability to enable entities that can automatically emulate the actions of a particular group of participants from either side. This reduces the number of humans required to conduct the simulation, which is a generally desirable characteristic. This capability is especially useful when special skills are required to interact in the roles concerned. To this end, an expert system could be constructed with the reasoning abilities necessary to simulate the cognitive contributions of its human counterpart. The construction of such an expert system for the purpose of simulating the conduct of indirect fires was the goal of this research. The result includes a working implementation of an autonomous simulated forward observer that is capable of issuing a standard call for indirect fire, and adjusting the ''observed'' fires in accordance with previously developed mission guidance.