A Meta-Model Architecture for Fusing Battlefield Information

The principal contributions of this study are four-fold. First, we propose and illustrate a unifying meta-model architecture for fusing information in sensor-based decision support systems capable of delivering to the user strong inference results in support of tactical decision-making. Second, we demonstrate the feasibility of a completely automated system performing effective estimation of force operational states based on sensor data alone using a new web-based interactive tactical simulation. Third, we show that this architecture can readily accommodate several major network inference methods that are designed to handle battlespace uncertainty. And lastly, we discuss how this approach can be used to directly assess the information advantage of US Forces relative to opposing force intelligence gathering capabilities and the implications of doing so on developing strategic deception operations.