Using a Common Architecture to Integrate DoD Range Facilities

Written by Gene Hudgins, Keith Poch and Juana Secondine

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The Test and Training Enabling Architecture (TENA)

Due to the necessity of the continuous evolution of the warfighter, equipment and concepts being deployed in support of missions around the globe, the Department of Defense developed geographically dispersed ranges on which to conduct crucial test and training events. The test and training events carried out at these facilities are varied in nature and range anywhere from individual systems under test to large-scale joint exercises spread across numerous ranges where live, virtual and constructive (LVC) systems are blended to enact representative scenarios. While highly capable, these DoD ranges were initially developed with “stovepipe” systems, individually built with different suites of sensors, networks, hardware and software, making interoperability difficult. The focus is now shifting to allow the most efficient use of current and future range resources via range resource integration. This integration fosters interoperability and reuse within the test and training communities, critical to validate weapons system performance, such as the Future Combat System (FCS) or the Joint Strike Fighter, in a more cost-effective manner.

The Test and Training Enabling Architecture (TENA) is the DoD corporate approach for interoperability of distributed range facilities with an LVC capability. This includes the services as well as industry resources. TENA provides real-time software system interoperability by interfacing to existing live range assets, plus command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems and simulations.

TENA provides the middleware software component and can be used on any network such as the Joint Mission Environment Test Capability Virtual Private Network (VPN) and USJFCOM’s Joint National Test Capability Joint Training and Experimentation Network. TENA enables and enhances distributed testing and training, as well as range integration. Upgrading an existing range system to TENA can be achieved in drastically shorter time than traditional software integration efforts. Additional benefits include cost-effective replacement of unique range protocols, enhanced exchange of mission data and organic TENA-compliant capabilities at sites, which can be leveraged for future events, enhancing both reuse and interoperability.

TENA has evolved since the late 1990s and has been field-proven in numerous major field training exercises and distributed test events since 2002. The Pacific Alaska Range Complex (PARC), the largest instrumented air, ground and electronic combat training range in the world, has integrated its systems to include TENA in order to support its operational mission and training requirements. TENA was employed for Integral Fire ‘07 to exchange simulation and instrumentation data between sites. Specifically within their laboratories, nine sites used the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Protocol. At each of these local DIS sites, data was converted to TENA using the DIS-TENA Gateway device prior to the data being sent to another site, mitigating configuration challenges of using DIS over wide-area networks. The TENA systems provided in the U.S. Army’s FCS Joint Battlespace Dynamic Deconfliction Event allowed for the successful execution of mission tasks supported by the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and U.S. Joint Forces Command. The TENA gateways used in this event were also utilized and again performed well in Persistent Fire (PF) 09-01. Training of event personnel in TENA operations and other infrastructure tasks was successful, and PF09-01 was conducted with essentially minimal assistance from the TENA team. TENA was also used very successfully in the recent Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) 09-2.

Past major training events using TENA include Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2008, Talisman Sabre ‘07, and Joint Red Flag ‘05. TENA is currently being used in major new range instrumentation systems, such as the P5 Combat Training System being deployed at most air combat training ranges.

TENA continues to evolve; Release 6 of the middleware is to be released this year along with updates to the TENA standard object models. These improvements to TENA include adding advanced filtering capabilities to the automatically generated example application code; support for time-space-position information (TSPI) velocity, acceleration and orientation; performance profiling and configuration support enhancements, including volt tolerance and built-in middleware diagnostics. Events only provide the opportunity for evaluation. It is the data collection and analysis that determines the war worthiness of the equipment or concept; it can quickly and definitively illuminate any necessary improvements needed to ensure effective and safe weapons system operation and training. TENA reduces the cost and time to plan and prepare for distributed joint events by providing a readily available, common integration software for linking sites, plus test tools—putting the focus back on the event itself.

For more information, please visit the TENA web site: http://www.tena-sda.org.
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The authors are assigned to TENA Software Development Activity (SDA), Defense Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) Headquarters, 1225 South Clark Street, Crystal Gateway 2, Suite 1200, Arlington, Va. 22202.

Using a Common Architecture to Integrate DoD Range Facilities

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