A General-Purpose System for Simulating and Training Complex Diagnosis and Troubleshooting Tasks

Abstract

As military hardware becomes increasingly complex and costly, the suitability of using the prime equipment to meet the bulk of training requirements diminishes. At the present time, “general purpose” trainers can be developed which have the capability of providing realistic experience in operating or maintaining the prime equipment. Such trainers not only can simulate the functional and physical characteristics of the particular prime equipment, but they can deliver tutorial and special problem assistance when required by individual students; they can rapidly select, initiate, and administer problems based upon individual student performance; and they can record detailed performance data for instructor use. Furthermore, it is possible to provide “universal” applicability of both hardware and software, such that the trainer can be rapidly switched to a different prime equipment once the “courseware” is produced.