ROBUST ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL FACTORS FOR CANNON ARTILLERY LETHALITY AND SURVIVABILITY IN PEER CONFLICT
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Authors
Kadrmas, Caleb M.
Subjects
artillery
design of experiments
simulation
near-peer
Russia
agent-based
wargaming
wargame
cannon
robust
analysis
experiment
experimentation
cluster
efficient
counterbattery
counter
battery
employment
lethality
survivability
force
design
2030
planning
guidance
tactics
techniques
and procedures
TTPs
design of experiments
simulation
near-peer
Russia
agent-based
wargaming
wargame
cannon
robust
analysis
experiment
experimentation
cluster
efficient
counterbattery
counter
battery
employment
lethality
survivability
force
design
2030
planning
guidance
tactics
techniques
and procedures
TTPs
Advisors
Lucas, Thomas W.
Date of Issue
2021-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Guided by the Commandant's Planning Guidance and Force Design 2030, the Marine Corps is currently undergoing aggressive organizational change to evolve into a more disruptive force within the context of great power competition. An increase of rocket artillery batteries from seven to 21 is planned to expand deterrence capability, and a divestment in cannon batteries from 21 to five parallels this focus. The retention of cannon artillery, although reduced, can be improved to offer tactical maneuver-based offensive and defensive firepower to Marines across the range of military operations. This thesis explores which equipment and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) are most critical for USMC cannon artillery lethality and survivability in a Russia counterbattery scenario. Furthermore, this study proposes potential artillery configurations that are resilient to uncontrollable variations of the Russian artillery force. Using agent-based simulation, efficient designs of experiments, and cluster computing, over 1.3 million artillery battles were simulated and analyzed. The findings include that the equipment currently fielded by USMC artillery battalions is largely in line with the most significant factors for lethality and survivability (caliber and range). However, significant changes to current TTPs, specifically increased segmentation and dispersion, are necessary for force protection and mission success.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research (OR)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
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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.