Cost benefit comparison of the Tactical Combat Operations, Armored Vehicle Variant and the Multi-Application Command and Control Kit

Abstract

In the near future our combat units will evolve into an integrated military force through the utilization of weapon systems that employ digital electronics to acquire, exchange, and employ timely digital information throughout the battlespace. This thesis justifies the need for an on-board digital tactical data system for Marine Corps armored vehicles with the presentation of potential digitization benefits and simulation analysis results. Unique operational requirements for a vehicular combat information system are presented with a specific functional and physical description and life cycle cost estimate for two candidate systems. These systems are analyzed and compared using a fixed effectiveness approach to cost benefit analysis. Conclusions and recommendations for the Marine Corps' evolution to battalion and below battlefield digitization are included.