Exploring Training Data Exploitation with the Royal Netherlands Army

Captain B.A. (Sander) Cruiming,
Staff Officer Knowledge, Innovation and Policy

The Cervus team outside the MCTC

Cervus have deployed HIVE in support of Exercise  FALCON AUTUMN 18 to demonstrate to the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) the benefits of Training Data Exploitation.

01. Problem

Apache providing fires on Dutch and German objectives.

Recent military thinking has identified that armies should be making much better use of training data

It recognises that better use should be made of the vast amount of data generated during both training and operations. Many other nations recognise this issue and understand the importance of better exploiting valuable training data and seek to capitalise upon it to optimise performance and achieve success on operations.

Yet, despite acknowledging this critical capability gap, many first-class armies are still struggling to put in place effective strategies and approaches to truly harness the power of their training data.  For some, this is the result of limited resources. But it is also partly to do with the maturity of associated technologies and, possibly, because of institutional beliefs that existing approaches to both individual and collective training are already sufficient. Yet there is a better approach and a way to effectively use the large amount of data swarming within, and around, every single training event.

The RNLA have identified this issue and  requested Cervus to demonstrate HIVE on Exercise  FALCON AUTUMN 18, held between 14 Oct – 01 Nov 18 in order to understand the benefits of a Training Data Exploitation approach.

02. Approach

Cervus deployed a small team of technical and training experts and integrated HIVE™ into  the Tactical Analysis Facility at the Mobile Combat Tactical Centre.

Working alongside RNLA and Saab Staff, the team tested data flow between various capture and storage systems and gained understanding of the RNLA training model.  The team then began supporting AARs with focused information on specific issues, using interactive dashboards, to suppliment the existing learning process.  On completion of the exercise, data was the subsequently analysed, to identify Force Development issues for exploitation and several Machine Learning applications were developed and demonstrated.

Several weeks later, this was briefed back to the RNLA, to assist them in understanding the benefits of Training Data Exploitation and to identify future KPIs.

 

03. Relevance

This activity enabled the RNLA Modelling and Simulation Centre of Excellence to:

  • Test the integration of the Mobile Combat Training Center with HIVE™
  • Demonstrate the benefits of Training Data Exploitation to the RNLA.
  • Partner with wider RNLA and Cervus staff to understand Force Development issues where machine learning applications could provide insights.
  • Identify and test future candidate KPIs to enhance MCTC as a key feedback loop to increase individual and collective performance and the depth of information available to decision makers

The MCTC Tactical Analysis Facility

04. Conclusion

This is the second time that Cervus have deployed HIVE outside of the UK and we have thoroughly enjoyed working with the RNLA during this activity.

Their proactive and innovative approach recognises the potential benefits that TDX may bring to enhancing their combat effectiveness.  We are looking forward to continue to develop our relationship with the RNLA Training and Simulation community and to continiously adapt HIVE to meet the RNLA’s new found thirst for exploitable training data.

11 Bde Soldiers prepare for an assault int0 an urban facility