Modeling and analyzing army air assault operations via simulation

It is very important to use combat simulation in personnel training and preparing them for different war scenarios. Simulation modeling and analysis methodologies gives an opportunity to staff officers and commanders to measure the effectiveness of their plans and take necessary precautions. In a simulated environment, different combat scenarios can be tried without actually deploying the units to the combat area and getting 'losts, costs, and risks'. As one of the most complicated and decisive operations on the road to victory, 'air assault operations' are high-risk, high-payoff operations that, when properly planned and vigorously executed, allow commanders to take the initiative in combat areas. In this study, we develop a simulation system called the Air Assault Operations Simulation Model (AAOSM) that allows planners to: (1) analyze air assault operations early in the decision process and refine those models as their decision process evolves, (2) perform 'bottleneck analysis' of the preplanned operations, and (3) perform 'risk management' of the operation before conducting the real operation. AAOSM is developed by using the ARENA simulation programming language. The outputs of the model are analyzed using statistical methods. The factors that have significant effect on air assault operations are identified. The possible scenarios are also evaluated for different weather and terrain conditions and for various refueling and maintenance configurations. © 2011 Simulation Councils Inc

Modeling and analyzing army air assault operations via simulation

Cataloged from PDF version of article.It is very important to use combat simulations in personel training and as a scientific decision tool in developed countries. The use of simulation and analysis methodologies gives opportunity to the staff officers and the commanders to foresee the results of their plans and to take some precautions accordingly. Different combat scenarios can be tried without deploying the units to the combat area and getting losts, costs and risks. As one of the most complicated and decisive operation in the way to victory “Air assault operations” are high risk, high payoff operations, that, when properly planned and vigorously executed, allow commanders to take the initiative of the combat area. The use of Air Assault Operations Simulation Model (AAOSM) allows planners: (1) to build models of air assault operations early in the decision process and refine those models as their decision process evolve, (2) perform “Bottleneck analysis” of the preplanned operation using statistical procedures and take some precautions accordingly. (3) perform “Risk management” of the operation before conducting the real one. AAOSM is created by using ARENA 3.0 simulation program and SIMAN programming languauge.The outputs of the model is analysed using experimental design procedures and the significant factors that are significant to the outputs are analysed. Moreover, the best scenarios are evaluated in different weather and terrain conditions and different refuelling and maintenance configurations.Virlan, GökhanM.S

Automated CPX support system preliminary design phase

The development of the Distributed Command and Control System (DCCS) is discussed. The development of an automated C2 system stimulated the development of an automated command post exercise (CPX) support system to provide a more realistic stimulus to DCCS than could be achieved with the existing manual system. An automated CPX system to support corps-level exercise was designed. The effort comprised four tasks: (1) collecting and documenting user requirements; (2) developing a preliminary system design; (3) defining a program plan; and (4) evaluating the suitability of the TRASANA FOURCE computer model

LOGISTICS IN CONTESTED ENVIRONMENTS

This report examines the transport and delivery of logistics in contested environments within the context of great-power competition (GPC). Across the Department of Defense (DOD), it is believed that GPC will strain our current supply lines beyond their capacity to maintain required warfighting capability. Current DOD efforts are underway to determine an appropriate range of platforms, platform quantities, and delivery tactics to meet the projected logistics demand in future conflicts. This report explores the effectiveness of various platforms and delivery methods through analysis in developed survivability, circulation, and network optimization models. Among other factors, platforms are discriminated by their radar cross-section (RCS), noise level, speed, cargo capacity, and self-defense capability. To maximize supply delivered and minimize the cost of losses, the results of this analysis indicate preference for utilization of well-defended convoys on supply routes where bulk supply is appropriate and smaller, and widely dispersed assets on shorter, more contested routes with less demand. Sensitivity analysis on these results indicates system survivability can be improved by applying RCS and noise-reduction measures to logistics assets.Director, Warfare Integration (OPNAV N9I)Major, Israel Defence ForcesCivilian, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, SingaporeCommander, Republic of Singapore NavyCommander, United States NavyCaptain, Singapore ArmyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyMajor, Republic of Singapore Air ForceCaptain, United States Marine CorpsLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyCaptain, Singapore ArmyLieutenant Junior Grade, United States NavyCaptain, Singapore ArmyLieutenant Colonel, Republic of Singapore Air ForceApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite

Assessing the Requirements for the Transformable Craft, A Framework for Analyzing Game Changing Capabilities

This study assesses the impact of functional requirements for the Transformable Craft project, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Although focused on the “game changing” nature of these requirements, this study provides a framework for analysis of generic logistics connectors, sea basing alternatives, and force structures by means of operational scenarios and simple simulation and analysis tools. This study demonstrates the means by which these tools can assist military decision makers in understanding complex and high level issues

SIMULATION ANALYSIS OF USMC HIMARS EMPLOYMENT IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

As a result of renewed focus on great power competition, the United States Marine Corps is currently undergoing a comprehensive force redesign. In accordance with the Commandant’s Planning Guidance and Force Design 2030, this redesign includes an increase of 14 rocket artillery batteries while divesting 14 cannon artillery batteries. These changes necessitate study into tactics and capabilities for rocket artillery against a peer threat in the Indo-Pacific region. This thesis implements an efficient design of experiments to simulate over 1.6 million Taiwan invasions using a stochastic, agent-based combat model. Varying tactics and capabilities as input, the model returns measures of effectiveness to serve as the response in metamodels, which are then analyzed for critical factors, interactions, and change points. The analysis provides insight into the principal factors affecting lethality and survivability for ground-based rocket fires. The major findings from this study include the need for increasingly distributed artillery formations, highly mobile launchers that can emplace and displace quickly, and the inadequacy of the unitary warheads currently employed by HIMARS units. Solutions robust to adversary actions and simulation variability can inform wargames and future studies as the Marine Corps continues to adapt in preparation for potential peer conflict.Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

This Year in the MOVES Institute

in the Proceedings of IEEE Cyberworlds 2003, the International Conference on Cyberworlds, Singapore, 3 – 5 December 2003, pp. xxxiii-xl.An Invited Paper

Seabasing and joint expeditionary logistics

Student Integrated ProjectIncludes supplementary material. Executive Summary and Presentation.Recent conflicts such as Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom highlight the logistics difficulties the United States faces by relying on foreign access and infrastructure and large supply stockpiles ashore to support expeditionary operations. The Navy's transformational vision for the future, Sea Power 21, involves Seabasing as a way to address these difficulties by projecting and sustaining joint forces globally from the sea. This study analyzes logistics flow to, within and from a Sea Base to an objective, and the architectures and systems needed to rapidly deploy and sustain a brigade-size force. Utilizing the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), this study incorporates a systems engineering framework to examine current systems, programs of record and proposed systems out to the year 2025. Several capability gaps that hamper a brigade-size force from seizing the initiative anywhere in the world within a 10-day period point to a need for dedicated lift assets, such as high-speed surface ships or lighter-than-air ships, to facilitate the rapid formation of the Sea Base. Additionally, the study identifies the need for large-payload/high-speed or load-once/direct-to- objective connector capabilities to minimize the number of at-sea transfers required to employ such a force from the Sea Base in 10 hrs. With these gaps addressed, the Joint Expeditionary Brigade is supportable from the Sea Base.http://archive.org/details/seabasingndjoint109456918N

LEVERAGING THE LIGHT AMPHIBIOUS WARSHIP AS A MASS CASUALTY EVACUATION PLATFORM IN A CONTESTED ENVIRONMENT

The Marine Corps needs more accurate models and tools to examine the capabilities of evacuating mass casualties in a dispersed and disaggregated environment. Specifically, the Marine Corps needs to determine the types of platforms required to evacuate casualties for a distributed force as well as the accompanying concepts of operations. To assist in this, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory is developing the Expeditionary Energy Multi-Domain Model (E2M2), which applies an agent-based simulation framework called Probabilistic Investigation of Resource Allocation in Networks of Hierarchical Agents (PIRANHA). The E2M2 evaluates the performance of the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) used for casualty evacuations. This research utilizes high-dimensional experimental design to vary factors within an Expeditionary Advanced Based Operations scenario to explore varying hospital locations, number of LAWs, LAW configurations, and LAW transportation polices in evacuating mass casualties within the Indo-Pacific region. The E2M2 assists the Marine Corps in determining how LAW is best used as a viable casualty evacuation platform for a distributed force. This research identifies the best-fitting models, methods, and tools that can be used to support analysis in this area. It also includes a demonstration of the E2M2 in support of a scenario and documentation that identifies challenges and opportunities in using the E2M2 in support of concept development activities.Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

INCORPORATING RADIO FREQUENCY MESH NETWORKS TO LINK LIVE, VIRTUAL, CONSTRUCTIVE TRAINING

Given the importance of modeling and simulation (M&S) for creating realistic training environments and employing or developing tactical systems for warfighters, the Department of Defense is turning toward live, virtual, constructive (LVC) simulations as a means to prepare and equip our military for the next war. M&S offers a unique competency for modeling emergent enemy behaviors in constructive simulations on virtual battlefields across the globe. Transferring these dynamic tactical actions to live command and control (C2) systems used during training can create decision-making opportunities for distributed units to react to and act upon. The research conducted in this thesis assessed, developed, and implemented an appropriate LVC environment that can be used in training for tactical convoy operations in the Marine Corps. We developed a robust mesh network connected to a personal computer running a constructive simulation to create dynamic tracks on handheld, Android-based C2 systems. Using low-bandwidth radios to create the network, we were able to create a rich, tactically realistic training environment while minimally increasing the combat load of our Marines. The system we created has the same functionality of the blue force tracker (BFT). Because the BFT is no longer funded, we recommend the LVC solution we created for this thesis as a potential replacement with embedded training capabilities.Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite