Achieving distributed decision-making using BDI and Coo(2) for future Distributed Tactical Decision Aids

Decision-makers in the tactical environment are cognisant of its contested, complex, unknown and dynamic nature. Traditional tactical information gathering and processing methods and decision-making processes within the current tactical environment are becoming less effective and burdensome. New tactical fighter air platforms require high-quality situation awareness and more advanced decision-making methodologies in order to deliver decision superiority. In essence, new generations of tactical air platforms require a redesign of their tactical Decision Support System (DSS), or Tactical Decision Aid (TDA). Furthermore, these new air platforms can no longer work in isolation, but are required to be part of a distributed team. Therefore not only do new techniques in distributed decision making need to be developed, but the concept of Distributed Tactical Deci-sion Aids (DisTDAs) needs to be experimented. The issue on how to implement Coordination and Cooperation (Coo(2)) within DisTDAs needs to be firstly addressed. The Future Integrated Mission System (FIMS) is a first-of-its-kind Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)-based future integrated mission system for new tactical air strike platforms. The next step is to make FIMS and its TDA distributed - this can be achieved by integrating the Agent Coordination and Cooperation Cognitive Model (AC(3)M). AC(3)M illustrates how to implement agent coordination and cooperation by means of a cognitive and Intelligent Multi-Agent System (I-MAS). The centerpiece of AC(3)M is the ability to successfully show the link between Coo(2) and how beneficial the link is for enhancing team automation. Analysing the model produces three remarkable results: firstly is the Stimulate-Orient-Decide-Act methodology and secondly is how the Belief, Desire and Intention (BDI) framework, Coo(2) and Stimulate-Orient-Decide-Act (SODA) were linked and interconnected. The final result was the enhanced decision-making that utilised the benefits created from the annexation of the BDI framework, Coo(2) and SODA.