Poly-functional intelligent agents for computer generated forces

The authors present the requirement definition and methodological approach for developing a new generation of computer generated forces (CGF) based on intelligent agents. The analysis is based on the author initiative (PIOVRA) devoted to the development of high level architecture (HLA) components to be integrated for training, planning and operative support. These agents require to act as smart entities in the scenarios reproducing both enemies and/or civil units; their model includes characteristics that are typical of the psychological aspects affecting troops and soldiers on the battlefields as well as operative basic tactics. The authors avoid to create intelligent units in a wide sense due to the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) technology is quite far to the creation of an "intelligent virtual strategists or commander"; however their entities are expected to face set of complex situations with realistic cooperative and competitive understanding and reproducing real reactions to the boundary conditions.