The NEC environment shifts the emphasis from individual to team training and brings complexities that current rehearsal-based training cannot adequately address.
 NEC will demand the interaction of all front-line systems to create a realistic learning environment. This can only be made possible by adding synthetic components to the exercise-mix. This also brings significant benefits, including lower costs, less scenario preparation time, a wider range of valid inputs, greater realism, less risk, improved safety and the possibility of holding the exercises at greater frequency. The addition of synthetic components however, increases the complexity of the interactions and makes understanding them even more essential.
Furthermore, as new systems, technologies and coalition partners are introduced to the through-life capability of the NEC environment and its component parts, the adaptability of the fighting force and the network in which they operate becomes key to success.
All of this places greater emphasis on developing the skills of commanders and enabling them to face up to the complexities they are being asked to interpret.
Learning how to deal with complexity is one of the key strategies for realising the benefits of NEC. Without it, the people involved in these operations may well fail to take advantage of the benefits. This will result in money being wasted and reduced effectiveness.
At VEGA we see a strong connection between this issue and the move to manage complexity within MoD using modelling techniques, to visualise the various aspects of each system in a ‘system of systems’ (the basis of NEC). In particular, these modelling techniques look at the interaction between the various systems within the overall system. This approach is gaining popularity across industry and Government.
Within the MoD, the modelling approach is encapsulated in the standard known as MODAF, which is coherent with the United States DoDAF standard, and which has been used to populate the MODAR repository at the Malvern Labs, where some 60% of current capability has already been modelled and stored for re-use. The main goals of this work are to manage interoperability between NEC assets, and to provide a decision-support tool when future options for interoperable systems are being considered.
But this is currently being explored only at Capability level, and not across all Defence Lines of Development. VEGA's challenge is to view this complexity through the Training Line of Development, re-using the MODAR assets in the Malvern Labs to inform our assessment. This will allow us to view the overall network through the eyes of one of the network’s operators and, by using the analysis tools, to add to that view both team dynamics and behavioural interactions within the team.
This opinion formed the basis of a presentation delivered by VEGA's Senior Military Advisor, Sir Peter Norriss, at the CityForum Roundtable entitled 'Defence Training - How will training be delivered in 2020?'. The event took place in London on 20 November 2006 and attracted high ranking officials from across the tri-services.
For more information about our presence in the defence market, please visit the suggested sections of the VEGA website below or contact our defence team.
Defence Learning thought leadership
 The Future of Defence Learning
Defence Learning white paper
Team Training Task Analysis
Related Events
ITEC 08
Jane's European Defence Conference
Internal links relating to Defence Learning
Defence Homepage
WATCHKEEPER press release
Maintenance Training
Enterprise Architectural Services
Integration Authority - Case Study
External links relating to Defence Learning
MODAF Website
Contact VEGA about Defence Learning
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