A comprehensive guide to computer assisted exercises Readers can turn to this indispensable reference guide for comprehensive and lucid coverage of the operational, technical, and organizational knowledge needed to harness successful and constructive computer assisted exercises (CAX) and war games. It is geared also toward large civilian organizations that are looking to teach and test their strategies and procedures without the added cost of manpower. Divided into two clear parts, the book covers: Fundamentals and Theory—conflict and warfare; probability and statistics; simulation; distributed simulation; and experimentation and analysis Combat Modeling, Computer Assisted Exercises, and Practice—CAX architectures; CAX process; combat modeling; CAX support tools; communications/information system issues, technical risks, and risk miti-gation; and exercise centers and facilities Computer Assisted Exercises and Training: A Reference Guide is indispensable reading for research engineers, computer scientists, software engineers working with modeling and simulation, homeland security specialists, staff in simulation training centers, military strategists and commanders, and many others. It also serves as a valuable textbook for modeling and simulation courses at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels.

Computer assisted exercises have developed over the last ten years into the most cost-effective method to perform collective headquarters training in NATO. Considerable advance has been made to support the concept of "train as you fight or operate" by achieving close integration between simulation environments and command and control information systems. Key factors for the success of CAXes are the selected simulation, the level of training and competence of exercise planners and support personnel and the ability to mediate effectively between simulation and CCIS used by the exercising headquarters. For operational level exercises, the Joint Theater Level Simulation was selected as the preferred exercise driver. Effective methods for exercise planner training and simulation data base development have been developed combining clearly defined organisational concepts and tools. The methods of training have been refined but remain manpower intensive. Exercise management has been addressed more recently and is showing great potential for effective formalisation and support. Based on current practice and technological investigations, future avenues that will contribute significantly to this field are simulation composability through interoperability, advanced distributed learning and highly flexible data collection and analysis.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third International Conference on Computer Aided Learning and Instruction in Science and Engineering, CALICSE '96, held in San Sebastián, Spain in July 1996. The 42 revised full papers presented in the book were selected from a total of 134 submissions; also included are the abstracts of full papers of four invited talks and 17 poster presentations. The papers are organized in topical sections on learning environments: modelling and design, authoring and development tools and techniques, CAL in distance learning, multimedia and hypermedia in CAL, and applications in science and engineering.