Field Evaluation of Blue Force Tracking with a 2D/3D Command and Control System

Abstract

Decision makers in complex environments have a difficult task and researchers all over the world try to develop different decision aids to support them. This paper presents a study where a research platform with a combined 2D- and 3D-tool was used as a decision aid during two Military Operation in Urban Terrain exercises. Blue Force Tracking was used on some vehicles and soldiers to monitor their movements. The purpose of the study was to investigate if 3D visualization and distributed information in a C2 system, including Blue Force Tracking (BFT), gives the commander better SA. The results show that the commanders found the decision aid and the BFT very useful. The system enabled good SA and a shared awareness of what was going on in the battlefield. 2D was used 80% of the time and 3D was used for specific tasks where detailed information was needed to improve SA.

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