Further canonical methods in the solution of variable-coefficient Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare

Abstract

This paper introduces an important new canonical set of functions for solving Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare for combat between two homogeneous forces with power attrition-rate coefficients with "no effect." Tabulations of these functions, which we call Lanchester-Clifford-Schlafli (or LCS) functions, allow one to study this particular variable-coefficient model almost as easily and thoroughly as Lanchester's classic constant-coefficient one. The availability of such tables is pointed out. We show that our choice of LCS functions allows one to obtain important information (in particular, force-annihilation prediction) without having to spend the time and effort to compute force-level trajectories. Furthermore, we show from theoretical considerations that our choice is the best for this purpose. These new theoretical considerations apply in general to Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare and provide guidance for developing other canonical Lanchester functions (i.e. canonical functions for other attrition-rate coefficients). Moreover, our new LCS functions provide valuable information about various related variable-coefficient models. Also, we introduce an important transformation of the battle's time scale that not only many times simplifies the force-level equations but also shows that relative fire effectiveness and intensity of combat are the only two weapon-system parameters determining the course of such variable-coefficient Lanchester-type combat. (Author)