Achieving distributed decision-making using BDI and Coo^2 for future Distributed Tactical Decision Aids

Decision-makers in the tactical environment are cognisant of its contested, complex, unknown and dynamic nature. Traditional tactical information gathering and processing methods and decision-making processes within the current tactical environment are becoming less effective and burdensome. New tactical fighter air platforms require high-quality situation awareness and more advanced decision-making methodologies in order to deliver decision superiority. In essence, new generations of tactical air platforms require a redesign of their tactical Decision Support System (DSS), or Tactical Decision Aid (TDA) . Furthermore, these new air platforms can no longer work in isolation, but are required to be part of a distributed team. Therefore not only do new techniques in distributed decision making need to be developed, but the concept of Distributed Tactical Deci-sion Aids (DisTDAs) needs to be experimented. The issue on how to implement Coordination and Cooperation (Coo^2) within DisTDAs needs to be firstly addressed. The Future Integrated Mission System (FIMS) is a first-of-its-kind Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)-based future integrated mission system for new tactical air strike platforms. The next step is to make FIMS and its TDA distributed - this can be achieved by integrating the Agent Coordination and Cooperation Cognitive Model (AC^3M). AC^3M illustrates how to implement agent coordination and cooperation by means of a cognitive and Intelligent Multi-Agent System (I-MAS). The centerpiece of AC^3M is the ability to successfully show the link between Coo^2 and how beneficial the link is for enhancing team automation. Analysing the model produces three remarkable results: firstly is the Stimulate-Orient-Decide-Act methodology and secondly is how the Belief, Desire and Intention (BDI) framework, Coo^2 and Stimulate-Orient-Decide-Act (SODA) were linked and interconnected. The final result was the enhanced decision-making that utilised the benefits created from the annexation of the BDI framework, Coo^2 and SODA.