WebStation: A Web-Based Situational Awareness Platform for BRV Combat — Architecture, Implementation, and Lessons Learned

ABSTRACT The military simulation domain, particularly in beyond visual range (BVR) air combat
scenarios, requires tools that combine high technical fidelity with operational usability. Advanced simulation
engines, such as the Aerospace Simulation Environment (ASA), provide significant analytical capabilities
but often rely on complex user interfaces, which can hinder the rapid configuration, execution, and
assessment of scenarios by analysts and mission planners.
At the same time, the evolution of complex and distributed systems, including emerging unmanned traffic
management (UTM) ecosystems, highlights a broader and recurring challenge related to the integration
of heterogeneous platforms, data sources, and high-fidelity simulation tools. This context reinforces the
relevance of lightweight interaction and visualization layers capable of improving interoperability and
situational awareness, regardless of the specific application domain.
In this context, this paper presents the WebStation ASA, a web-based situational awareness platform
developed as a lightweight interaction layer over the ASA simulation engine, which is institutionally owned
by the Brazilian Air Force General Staff (EMAER). The article describes the system architecture, functional
and non-functional requirements, design decisions, and technical lessons learned, focusing on how web
based interfaces can improve usability and integration in complex simulation environments.
INDEXTERMS Military simulation, Web-based systems, Situational awareness, Simulation architectures,
Human–machine interaction, System integration