Unlocking the Power of AFSIM

At the Storymodelers, we are always on the lookout for emerging technologies and frameworks that can streamline the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) processes. Our goal is to accelerate the development of solutions that aim to increase our understanding of how humans and systems interact to respond to global challenges.  

The current international landscape is becoming increasingly complex, resulting in an opaque relationship structure of actors. As those who are supposed to reduce complexity and make interactions more transparent, we need to be more agile and proactive in connecting data sources to simulations and evaluating information gain or loss during transitions between various simulation frameworks.  

As one step towards that goal, the Storymodelers have recently become users and developers of the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM)—a product of extensive collaboration between industry leaders and the Department of Defense. While it is continuously developed by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and the community, AFSIM already offers a transformative approach to military simulations, focusing on analysis, experimentation, and wargaming. Among AFSIM users are the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and Leidos. To become proficient with AFSIM, throughout 2024, several Storymodelers participated in AFSIM training sessions with the Marine Corps Operations Analysis Division.  

"The idea behind AFSIM is a common modeling framework, using common models in a common environment with a common threat laydown." -- Colonel Timothy D. West, Mr. Brian Birkmire (source: AFSIM: The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Approach to Making M&S Ubiquitous in the Weapon System Concept Development Process – CSIAC) 

AFSIM is often mistaken for software; however, it is a comprehensive framework comprising three main components: 

• Wizard is the component responsible for scenario development and configuration. It allows users to define the parameters of their simulations, including the environment, entities involved, and specific conditions under which the simulation will run. This component is crucial for setting up realistic and detailed scenarios that reflect the complexities of real-world military operations. 

• Warlock executes simulations. It processes the scenarios created in Wizard, running the models and algorithms that simulate interactions between various forces and systems. Warlock’s robust processing capabilities enable it to handle large-scale simulations involving multiple domains, providing users with insights into potential outcomes and strategic implications. 

• Mystic is focused on analysis and visualization. After a simulation is executed, Mystic helps users interpret the results by offering tools for data analysis and visualization. This component turns raw simulation data into actionable insights, allowing users to explore different scenarios' outcomes and refine their strategies based on empirical evidence.  

Together, these components make AFSIM a powerful M&S tool for teams assessing how military and potentially non-military systems function throughout a mission.   

A significant advantage of AFSIM is its open-source nature, which allows extensive customization. A lot can be achieved through its JavaScript-like scripting language without becoming an AFSIM developer. For more advanced users, like our own Anthony Barraco, who spent a week at ARFL learning how to develop for and with AFSIM, AFSIM offers an API and customization using the C++ programming language.  

In the coming year, we anticipate more projects where AFSIM can have an impact on how efficiently we can arrive at insights.  

Join the Conversation 

Are you an AFSIM user? Share your insights or questions in the comments—your input could be invaluable to our ongoing research!