GRILL, USAFA, Aptima, and BAE collaboration on simulation tool to introduce cadets to force-on-force combat
Aptima is excited to share that the Land Engagement Adjudication Platform (LEAP), developed with the Gaming Research Integration for Learning Lab (GRILL®) and United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets in collaboration with Aptima and BAE, has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C)! LEAP will be showcased at the SGS&C booth #2285 during the Interservice/Industry Training Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC 2024) in Orlando, Florida, from December 2-6, 2024. Winners will be announced on December 5 at 1:00 pm at the Innovation Showcase, Booth #2909.
Aptima played a key role in supporting the development of LEAP through the AFRL-sponsored Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory (GRILL®) in Dayton, Ohio. Working alongside USAF Academy cadets, Aptima and BAE’s team helped mentor cadets through the creation of this educational modeling and simulation tool that introduces cadets to force-on-force combat using operational design concepts. LEAP enables cadets to apply operational-level tactics in a capstone wargame, using questions to guide them through critical elements of force employment and generating realistic results in force-on-force engagements.
One of LEAP’s standout features is its ability to communicate with other Department of Defense modeling and simulation systems. Using Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) message traffic and the Modular Effects-based Transmitter for Integrated Simulations (METIS), LEAP pulls real-time data from USAFA’s Multi-Domain Laboratory (MDL), enabling interaction with a broader ecosystem of M&S systems in a non-proprietary way. This allows cadets to experience the dynamic effects of their tactical decisions in real time.
LEAP not only simplifies complex military concepts for cadets but also makes joint force operations and effects more accessible to novice learners. It immerses cadets in wargaming scenarios where they can directly experience how their decisions—such as intelligence collection or combined arms application—impact the outcomes of battles, fostering a deeper understanding of the joint operations necessary for modern warfare.
Designed for over 1,000 cadets annually in the Air and Space Power Joint Operations Strategy core course, LEAP serves as a critical tool in helping future military leaders hone their strategic thinking and operational planning skills during semester-long wargaming exercises.
We’re proud to be part of LEAP’s development and look forward to seeing it showcased at I/ITSEC 2024!
For more information, please contact aptima_info@aptima.com.
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