The Active Electronic Assault System (AEAS) is a fully featured, live, accurate, adaptable and computerized combat system. Many current US Army trainers assert the low fidelity and negative training issues associated with current laser based combat training systems. High cost, low accuracy (due to beam divergence), impenetrability of foliage or other soft obstructions, and low fidelity hit notification mechanisms are just some of the more prevalent issues with current laser based systems. We're working to develop a low cost, easy to use, high fidelity system that will allow soldiers to train more effectively and in more realistic conditions.

This project was an effort to explore the possibility of providing a low cost, easy to use, and high fidelity system. Using various combinations of sensors and position tracking mechanisms, we developed an effective simulation that could potentially rival the laser systems currently provided. By performing quick and accurate measurements, we have tracked the position and orientation of a weapon module which is intended for attachment to a weapon's barrel. Using the position and orientation of the weapon attachment, we have accurately tracked the position and direction in which a weapon is facing. This information allows for accurate trajectories to be computed over short distances, and is demonstrated by creating a target from a projected display which users can point the weapon toward, and accurately see where a fired shot would land.

This vision is based on the idea that given accurate enough information about weapon position and orientation in the playing field, "shot" trajectories can be effectively estimated using simple Newtonian principles and projectile motion calculations. Then with tracked unit positions, targets that lie in the path of the projected bullet motion track are effectively "hit". Exact body location and damage of the "hit" can also be provided if accurate body positioning is tracked. Using such a system, the realism of firefight simulation training becomes easily enhanced with improvements to technology and the introduction of more efficient and advanced software algorithms. Our final prototype, however, is ready for expansion to achieve such a solution.

Ryan Sivek is a 25 year old Computer Engineering student with a minor in Psychology who is interested in pursuing his Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering. He currently works at the MITRE Corporation as a Computer Science Associate performing various tasks on a number of different projects. In particular he has worked on the Squad Overmatch Project which is surveying technological and operational solutions for more fidelity and stress exposure to enhance Army training. This project is what prompted him to pursue the AEAS system for his senior design project.

Alex Balogh is a 22 year old Computer Engineering student and a member of IEEE. After gaining some experience in software engineering, Alex hopes to pursue a career as a software or hardware development engineer at a company such as Intel or NVIDIA focused on the development of processors and GPUs.

Karena Stout is a 23 year old Electrical Engineer student. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Association of Professional Women. She works as a CWEP intern at Lockheed Martin designing FPGAs and plans to pursue this path after college. She will continue to work for Lockheed in Orlando as an FPGE designer with hopes to transferring within the company to the Norfolk, Virginia area where here fiance is stationed in the Navy.