The ABLE wargame enables up to three levels of command to be trained simultaneously (formation, unit and sub-unit commanders and HQ staff). The system is flexible enough to exercise at Brigade or Battalion level depending on the exercise configuration.
Some example applications of ABLE include:

• developing, teaching and practising all aspects of current and future doctrine.
• command skills including decision-making and risk management.
• staff procedures.
• operational rehearsals.
• team working in joint and multinational operations.

All of this can be achieved in ABLE, which provides a low risk and cost effective training environment.

The ABLE solution is an entity level constructive wargame. This form of wargame models weapon system platforms at the individual level so that an icon or model will represent a single tank, infantry fighting vehicle or artillery system. Personnel units are represented as squads or fire-teams ranging from 4 to 12 men in size. Specialist personnel units such as snipers or Forward Observation Officers may represent units with 1 or 2 men in them. This scale of simulation is attractive in a wargame based at the battalion and company/platoon level as it allows the actions of individual vehicles or squads to be assessed.

During wargames set at the brigade level the system is capable of aggregating individual vehicle and squad icons to whatever level is most suitable; hence the brigade staff will view icons that represent companies, squadrons or battalions, as they would do in reality. The system algorithms remain based on individual vehicle on vehicle data; it is the level of pictorial representation that can be changed to meet the requirement.

Map scales can likewise be altered to suit the level of detail required by the exercising HQ. For example, a brigade G1/G4 Logistic Plans cell would be able to plan on a 1:250,000 scale map using the same data that is depicted on the brigade G3 Operations 1:50,000 ‘Birdtable’ map.

The ABLE wargame consists of the following:

• simulation framework.
• data preparation tools.
• wargame, which consists of:
• user interfaces.
• databases.
• model.
• After Action Review.

The ABLE architecture includes a number of application components, databases and interfaces. These communicate in the networked environment using XML messages. The open architecture approach also allows for easy integration of the solution with other modelling and simulation solutions; in particular, ABLE is HLA/DIS compliant.