Degraded Synthetic Training Using an Integrated Kinetic-Cyber Training Environment

Integration of kinetic training and cyber training will provide a unified platform for combined cyberspace/kinetic battlefield training for our warfighters. Such a training platform will support high-fidelity, multi-factor simulated engagements in which the trainee can be exposed to all domains that are simultaneously interacting with each other. Existing approaches do not accurately reflect the dynamics with which cyber effects can degrade weapon system operations and they offer limited or no opportunity for trainees to detect, analyze, defend against, or contain a cyberspace operation. The goal of this effort is to develop EKCITE, a system which will address these limitations by integrating simulated cyberspace operations, virtual networks, and live, virtual and constructive Fleet training systems into a synthetic cyber warfare training environment. In Phase 1, we will develop an architecture and appropriate set of interfaces that can be integrated into live virtual constructive environments, so that the effects of compromised data privacy, integrity or availability from cyber threats will appropriately affect operational systems, humans in the loop, or constructive entities, resulting in changes in combat outcome. We will also demonstrate EKCITE within the context of a small kinetic-cyber training environment with a representative set of training systems.