Overview
Leveraging Nominal Systems' simulation architecture, Airbus Defence and Space UK challenged its graduates to develop a maritime surveillance training scenario as part of its graduate programme. This initiative allowed Airbus graduates to create a gamified and realistic digital training environment that simulated the challenges of maritime domain awareness, satellite operations, and the identification and tracking of vessels with spoofed AIS (Automatic Identification System) beacons
Objectives
The primary objective of this training scenario was to provide Airbus graduates with hands-on experience in architecting then operating an end to end Earth Observation system. Once they had conceptually designed their system, , the graduates were tasked with using Nominal Systems' simulation architecture to simulate their solution including an end-user training scenario. The scenario involved ingesting synthetic and archive data to modelling hundreds of vessels thereby creating a realistic multi-domain simulation environment. The ultimate challenge for an operator of the simulated system was to then identify the “dark ship” before it could complete its clandestine tasks.
Scenario Details
- AIS Beacon Modelling:
- Using Nominal Systems' simulation tools, the Airbus graduates modelled hundreds of ships, utilizing archive AIS beacon information. This accurately represented the dense maritime traffic in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
- The AIS data provided by the simulation included dynamic information such as ship identity, position, course, and speed, creating a challenging and realistic environment for the surveillance exercise.
- Satellite Imagery and Terrain Ingestion:
- The scenario developed by Airbus graduates integrated up-to-date satellite imagery and detailed terrain maps through Nominal Systems' architecture as well as generating synthetic data from the modelled system. This ensured that the operational area was depicted with appropriate fidelity, allowing the operators to make informed decisions based on real world, and perceived real world, geospatial data.
- Operator-Controlled Dark Ship:
- The Airbus team configured a dark ship within the scenario, equipped with a spoofed AIS beacon designed to evade detection.
- The trainees needed to use a combination of satellite imagery and other simulated sensor data combined with AIS data, to detect the dark ship based on its atypical behavior and deviations from normal maritime patterns.
- Operator-Controlled GEO Satellite:
- An essential component of the scenario was the operator-tasked simulated satellite constellation. This included adjusting the satellites’ coverage area, focusing on specific regions, and analyzing collected data.
- The goal was to utilize the satellites’ capabilities to detect the dark ship amidst the numerous legitimate vessels, relying on both real-time data and historical patterns for accurate identification.
Project Outcomes
- Development of Operational Skills:
- The scenario development process enhanced the graduates' understanding and capability in designing and operating satellite systems and associated applications in complex environments.
- Team Collaboration and Innovation:
- The project encouraged teamwork and collaboration among the graduates, as they worked together to design, develop, and execute the scenario. This fostered a team-oriented approach and highlighted the importance of collective decision-making.
- Real-World Scenario Application:
- By creating a realistic maritime environment, the Airbus graduates encountered real-world challenges, such as high traffic density and the presence of dark ships. This simulation provided them with insights into the complexities of international maritime operations.
- Feedback to Nominal Systems
- By using Nominal Systems simulation tools and architecture to model a full end to end system of systems, the graduates were able to stress test the software and provide feedback. This led to new features being implemented as well as future planning for capabilities being added to the product roadmap
Conclusion
Through the use of Nominal Systems' simulation architecture, Airbus graduates were able to independently develop a sophisticated maritime surveillance training scenario. This exercise not only provided them with valuable technical skills but also prepared them for the operational challenges. The success of this project underscored the effectiveness of Nominal Systems' tools in enabling users to create complex, realistic training environments that simulate real-world conditions.