Determining tactical usage of non-lethal weapons for fixed site security of U.S. embassies

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Authors
Maldonado, Zachary M.
Subjects
non-lethal capabilities
non-lethal weapons
force protection
embassy security
agent-based model
simulation
agent-based simulation
Pythagoras
data farming
design of experiments
data analysis
Advisors
Lucas, Thomas W.
Date of Issue
2017-06
Date
Jun-17
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The 2012 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya, exposed a national vulnerability. In response, the Marine Corps established Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Forces Crisis Response elements to support combatant commanders. One of their key tasks is to conduct an embassy reinforcement if required. This research uses modeling and simulation to explore the tactical use of an area fire non-lethal weapon (NLW) on crowds outside of a U.S. embassy. The research explores the following: 1. Is the NLW effective at reducing the lethality of the situation? 2. Are there any tactical insights gained by using agent-based simulation? 3. Is there a tactical benefit to reducing the minimum engagement range for the NLW? The results of this research indicate that having this non-lethal capability does reduce the lethality of the scenario, and all posts should carry at least two NLWs. Additionally, if three NLWs are assigned to each post, the other factors explored have little impact. Finally, reducing the minimum engagement range does present a tactical benefit, but only if reduced to less than 20 meters.
Type
Thesis
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Department
Operations Research (OR)
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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