body motion (Fishwick, 1986, 1989). A contemporaneous conference, “Enabling Technology for Simulation Science” organized by Alex Sisti of Rome Labs ( www.rl.af.mil/Lab/IR/IRXtra/confpro.html ) features a review of recent work on model abstraction and its latest developments.

The next generation of military models needs to be designed so as to produce integrated families that cross levels of resolution. This will require a good deal of theoretical effort involving mathematics, software engineering, and—perhaps most important—a deep understanding of the phenomenology coupled with an appreciation for how models of different resolution should and should not be used. Currently, the field lacks ability to apply the necessary theory, tools, and primers. However, there are insights in the literature that provide a foundation. What is needed is both further development of this and use of it in implementing actual simulation systems.