Advanced Combat Timeline for the Air Force Command Exercise System

Sponsored by the Air Force Wargaming Institute (AFWI), this research developed improvements to the Air Force Command Exercise System (ACES), a wargame model used extensively in the education of air campaign planning. The research addressed two major limitations of the model: (1) an inability to simulate time increments longer than 24 hours and (2) a minimal simulation of naval action. Alleviating these limitations, the Advanced Combat Timeline (ACT) for ACES should significantly enhance the model's ability to simulate the operational level of war. In pursuing these improvements, the research team clarified the model's educational objectives, analyzed its current data structure, and designed changes to effect the desired capabilities. A review of relevant literature provided criteria by which to evaluate the proposed changes. To ensure the efforts' effectiveness, the research team conducted its activities in close coordination with AFWI personnel.