In this report, RAND researchers explore enterprise concepts to modernize the U.S. Army's modeling and simulation (M&S) infrastructure using findings from (1) a review of documentation and expert opinions, (2) the formulation of a high-level concept for Modernized Enterprise Army M&S, and (3) the development of a work breakdown structure of essential elements through iterative processes.

A Modernized Enterprise Army Modeling and Simulation Concept

Henry Hargrove, Tim Conley, Emily Allendorf, N. Peter Whitehead, Jordan Willcox

ResearchPublished Jan 14, 2025

In this report, RAND researchers explore enterprise concepts to modernize the U.S. Army's modeling and simulation (M&S) infrastructure. The Modernized Enterprise Army M&S concept will modernize the development and employment of M&S for six Army communities: acquisition, analysis, experimentation, intelligence, test and evaluation, and training. Modernized Enterprise Army M&S is intended to leverage (1) a modular open systems approach, (2) containerization of individual models and simulations such that they act as services, (3) a centralized enterprise event controller that configures and executes military scenarios with reduced technical burden on the analyst, and (4) linkage to and eventual migration of preexisting models and simulations to maintain continuity and pedigree within Army M&S capabilities.

The research findings in this report are based on (1) a review of documentation and expert opinions, (2) the formulation of a high-level concept for Modernized Enterprise Army M&S, and (3) the development of a work breakdown structure (WBS) of essential elements through iterative processes. Seven high-level and 46 mid-level WBS elements were identified that can scope and shape the concept for future planning or costing efforts. The elements that make up Modernized Enterprise Army M&S (the WBS) should be revisited when more technical and process details are available, possibly generated from a systems engineering phase prior to and distinct from the production effort.

Key Findings

  • The Modernized Enterprise Army M&S concept is a technically challenging, relatively unprecedented integrated software environment.
  • Different organizations in the Army have either applied or prototyped industry advances in modernized software development and deployment such that the engineering approach and technical approach to the individual elements are not entirely unknown.
  • The enterprise nature of the process necessitates broad inclusion and socialization with developers, users, and consumers of M&S early in the implementation timeline.

Recommendations

  • Early Modernized Enterprise Army M&S deployments should demonstrate the ability to generate results comparable with those of existing simulations.
  • Modernized Enterprise Army M&S should align with existing and planned M&S modernization efforts.

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Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2025
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 31
  • Paperback Price: $21.50
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 1-9774-1464-8
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA3261-1
  • Document Number: RR-A3261-1

Citation

RAND Style Manual

Hargrove, Henry, Tim Conley, Emily Allendorf, N. Peter Whitehead, and Jordan Willcox, A Modernized Enterprise Army Modeling and Simulation Concept, RAND Corporation, RR-A3261-1, 2025. As of April 8, 2025: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3261-1.html

Chicago Manual of Style

Hargrove, Henry, Tim Conley, Emily Allendorf, N. Peter Whitehead, and Jordan Willcox, A Modernized Enterprise Army Modeling and Simulation Concept. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2025. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3261-1.html. Also available in print form.
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This research was prepared for the U.S. Army and conducted within the Strategy, Doctrine, and Resources Program of RAND Arroyo Center.

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