CTA Leader: Fernando Escobar
The Forces Modeling and Simulation (FMS) CTA focuses on the research and development of HPC-based physical, logical, and behavioral models and simulations of battlespace phenomenology in the correlation of forces. These simulations are applied to experimentation, training, operational planning, mission rehearsal, system analysis, and acquisition. The acquisition domain includes research and development, test and evaluation, and production and logistics. The FMS CTA also includes the modeling of C4I systems that impact military decision making in war and operations other than war. For example, FMS simulations model the interrelationships and impact on military operations by phenomena such as: the physics of tactical radio propagation, the logical characteristics of network routing algorithms in a lossy environment, and the behavior of networked combat leaders under conditions of uncertainty. A variety of techniques are employed, including parallel discrete event simulation, evolutionary methods, and agent-based simulations that exploit the power of HPC.
CTA Leader: Dr. Vincent Velten
The Signal/Image Processing (SIP) CTA covers the extraction of useful information from sensor outputs in real-time. DoD applications include surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, communications, avionics, smart munitions, and electronic warfare. Sensor types include sonar, radar, visible and infrared images, and signal intelligence (SIGINT) and navigation assets. Typical signal processing functions include detecting, tracking classifying, and recognizing targets in the midst of noise and jamming. Image processing functions include the generation of high-resolution low-noise imagery and the compression of imagery for communications and storage. The CTA emphasizes research, evaluation, and test of the latest signal processing concepts directed toward these embedded systems. Usually such processors are aboard deployable military systems and hence require hefty packaging, minimum size, weight, and power. System affordability is expected to improve an order-of-magnitude through the development of scalable codes running on flexible HPC systems. This will enable the traditional expensive military-unique 'black boxes' required to implement high-speed signal/image processing to be replaced by COTS HPC-based equipment.
CTA Leader: Dr. William Burnett
The Climate/Weather/Ocean Modeling (CWO) CTA focuses on the accurate numerical simulation of the earth's atmosphere and oceans on those space and time scales important for both scientific understanding and DoD operational use. This CTA includes the simulation and forecast of atmospheric variability (e.g., temperature, winds, pressure, relative humidity, cloud cover, precipitation, storms, aerosols and trace chemicals, surface fluxes, etc.) and oceanic variability (e.g., temperature, salinity, currents, tides, waves, ice motion and concentration, sediment transport, optical clarity, etc.). Numerical simulations and real-time forecasts are performed from the very top of the atmosphere to the very bottom of the ocean. CWO also includes the development of numerical algorithms and techniques for the assimilation of in-situ and remotely-sensed observations into numerical prediction systems. CWO has DoD applications on a daily basis for specific warfare-area, mission planning and execution (air, ground, sea, and space); as well as for flight and sea safety, search-and-rescue, optimal aircraft and ship routing, and weapon system design. This CTA provides DoD: 1. real-time, high-resolution weather and oceanographic forecasts leading to incisive decision making and enhanced operational capability in adverse weather and ocean conditions; and 2. realistic simulations of the dynamic oceanic and atmospheric environment to permit effective mission planning, rehearsal and training, and materiel acquisition.
CTA Leader: Dr. Kuangchen Wu
The Computational Electromagnetics and Acoustics (CEA) CTA covers two primary computational disciplines. Computational Electromagnetics covers the high-resolution multi-dimensional solutions of Maxwell's equations. DoD applications include calculating RF sensor performance, radar scattering of tactical ground, air, and sea vehicles, the electromagnetic signature of buried munitions, and high-power microwave performance; as well as the interdisciplinary applications in magneto-hydrodynamics and laser systems. The Computational Acoustics area covers the high-resolution multi-dimensional solutions of the acoustic wave equations in solids, fluids, and gases. DoD applications include the modeling of acoustic fields for surveillance and communication, seismic fields for mine detection, and the acoustic shock waves of explosions for anti-personnel weapons.
CTA Leader: Dr. William Mattson
The Chemistry, Biology, and Materials Science (CCM) CTA covers computational tools used to predict basic properties of chemicals and materials, including nano- and biomaterials. Properties such as molecular geometries and energies, spectroscopic parameters, intermolecular forces, reaction potential energy surfaces, and mechanical properties, are being addressed. Within the DoD, quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, statistical mechanics, and multiscale methods are used to design new chemical, polymer, nano- and bio- molecular systems, for fuel, lubrication, laser protection, explosives, rocket propulsion, catalysis, structural applications, fuel cells, and chemical defense. Solid-state modeling techniques are employed in the development of new high-performance materials for electronics, optical computing, advanced sensors, aircraft engines and structures, semiconductor lasers, advanced rocket engines components, and biomedical applications. Of recent emerging interest in the CCM CTA are methodologies that cover bioinformatics tools, computational biology, and related areas, such as cellular modeling.