The effects of terrain on a system of systems

Modern combat operations are predominantly joint or combined arms, in which different forces and weapon systems come together to fight as a single entity - as a system composed of many different systems. For land forces, system of systems typically exists at battalion and above-sized forces. This thesis investigates the effects of two types of terrain (urban and rivers) on combat operations. Using a synthesis of various simulation techniques (rapid scenario generation (RSG), red teaming, experimental design, data analysis, and cluster and outlier analysis), 2,827 of these operations are simulated to understand how the individual systems perform and provide insights into the effects of terrain on battle outcomes. With the operational scenario requiring the simulation of force sizes that were the largest ever attempted (battalion and brigade for the urban and river crossing scenarios, respectively) in Map Aware Nonuniform Automata (MANA, an agent-based simulation environment), an RSG tool was developed. This tool allows future MANA users to easily create combat models at the systems level. Results indicate that both types of terrain are disadvantageous for the attacker, especially the urban terrain. It is found that success in the attack relies critically on the survivability of armor protection, specifically to be able to survive at least three good shots from antiarmor weapons. In addition, for both the defender and attacker, responsive communications was identified as a key determinant of battle outcome and a threshold of less than 1.5 to 2 minutes is required for communications to be effective in enabling effective indirect fires.http://archive.org/details/theeffectsofterr109453787Outstanding ThesisSingapore Army author.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Tailorable Remote Unmanned Combat Craft

U.S. military and civilian vessels are critically vulnerable to asymmetric threats in littoral environments. Common asymmetric weapons such as Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCM), Low Slow Flying (LSF) aircraft and Fast Attack Craft (FAC) / Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) threaten U.S. strategic goals and can produce unacceptable losses of men and material. The SEA-18B team presents an operational concept for a family of Unmanned Surface Vessels USV) capable of defending ships from asymmetric swarm attacks. This USV, the Tailorable Remote Unmanned Combat Craft (TRUCC), can operate in concert with the next generation of capital surface vessels to combat this critical threat with maximum efficiency. Critical performance criteria of the TRUCC family were determined through agent-based simulation of a Straits of Hormuz Design Reference Mission. Additional models addressed ship synthesis and operational availability. A Technology and Capability Roadmap outlines areas of interest for investment and development of the next-generation USV. Interim technology and capability milestones in the Roadmap facilitate incremental USV operational capabilities for missions such as logistics, decoy operations and Mine Warfare. The TRUCC operational concept fills a critical vulnerability gap. Its employment will reduce combat risk to our most valuable maritime assets: our ships and our Sailors.http://archive.org/details/tailorableremote1094515434Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Maritime Interdiction Operations in Logistically Barren Environments

Includes supplementary materialThis report contains analysis that shows that existing technology exists to improve Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) by approximately 30%. Furthermore, analysis contained herein will aid MIO planning for future operations. Since MIOs are an inherently dangerous, but necessary activity with far reaching implications to theater political and economic dynamics, this improvement is of great interest. MIO is a Naval solution to the problems of smuggling weapons, explosives, people and narcotics. MIO, when employed correctly has the potential to save lives and limit economic/political damage.N