After Action Review System (AARS) design and functional capabilities

Logicon RDA has developed the Corps Battle Simulation After Action Review System (CBS AARS) to support the Battle Command Training Program (BCTP) requirement for training based on CBS-supported command post exercises (CPX). The CBS AARS is fielded and in use worldwide, and consists of the following subsystems: data collection, archive data storage, system and network management, analyst workstation, and presentation system. The analyst workstation is used to generate After Action Review (AAR) products. The presentation system includes advanced audio and video capabilities. It hosts the actual AAR presentation and provides advanced multimedia conferencing and display capabilities. The system also supports preparation of the Final Exercise Report (FER) and Professional Sustainment Packages (PSP). This paper describes the capabilities of the current system and the methodological issues related to its design and development. Emphasis is placed on identifying significant factors in the success of this development effort, and on clarifying problems overcome and lessons learned in the development process.