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Abstract
The military is a big user of simulation models. The use of these models range from training, mission rehearsal and war gaming to detailed analytical studies focused on acquisition, testing and evaluation, operations, etc. In this paper we discuss some of the uses and issues associated with military simulation to include categorizations of various types of military simulation. We then discuss some constructive simulation studies undertaken by graduate students at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Department of Operational Sciences focused on important Air Force issues.
Keywords
Military modeling, simulation
1. Introduction
Military analysis relies heavily upon models to gain insight into the myriad of issues facing the military. Some of the critical issues facing the military in the aggregate include: how to structure the military given the uncertainty of the future; how to maintain a viable military-industrial complex given the uncertain future; and how to allocate limited defense dollars among the services. Within each military service important issues include: how to allocate, train, and equip forces to meet demands placed on that service; what types and numbers of weapons and weapon systems to procure and maintain in the future; and how to allocate limited service budget allocations among the diverse demands for those monetary resources.
The DoD defines a model as "a physical, mathematical, or otherwise logical representation of a system, entity, phenomenon, or process" [1]. The military regularly employs mathematical models for resource allocation such as budget allocation. Physical models are used for experimentation and extensive testing. Virtual reality simulations are used to provide decision makers an environment to examine issues ranging from design to tactical battlefield management. Human-in-the-loop and distributed simulation systems are a crucial aspect of military training, mission rehearsal, and experimentation. Finally, constructive simulations are used extensively by each of the military services for all aspects of the military, from budgets and acquisitions, to force structuring and deployments. Our focus in this paper is on the use of constructive, or analytical, simulation, for military-specific problems.
This paper is organized as follows. We first discuss some broad issues associated with constructive simulation modeling applied to military problems. We then provide an overview of some of the general purpose combat simulations in use within the United States Air Force....