Low-resolution screening of early stage acquisition simulation scenario development decisions

Abstract

The United States Army and the United States Marine Corps currently use Combat XXI as their premier computer simulation for estimating the effects of the introduction of changes to unit composition and equipment on the battlefield. It is a time consuming model to produce and run, in that it represents very detailed and intricate interactions. Another similar, but less detailed computer simulation is the Dynamic Allocation of Fires and Sensors (DAFS). Instead of modeling the explicit interactions between every soldier and Marine, scenarios can be designed to focus on the effects of combat between groups of combatants. Scenarios can be developed and run faster, but with less insight into the mechanism of interactions. This thesis explores the possibility of using a low-resolution simulation as a rapid prototyping device for more arduous (and expensive) simulations to gain limited insight and assist in scenario development by contrasting a scenario developed in COMBATXXI with a similar scenario developed in DAFS.