An analysis of the Tactical Unmanned Vehicle during Amphibious Assault Combat Operations using the JCATS combat model

Abstract

The Unmanned Ground Vehicle/System Joint Project Office is currently developing a family of untanned ground systems that may have the potential to give the ground combat commander the ability to gain a decisive advantage in the battle for information dominance. By harnessing the power of robotics in a reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition role, the UGV is designed to provide the maneuver battalion commander with the ability to extend his influence beyond the capabilities of traditional scouts. This thesis examined the Unmanned Ground Vehicle Medium (UGVM) using the Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS) model to evaluate the impact of changes to performance characteristics of the system. The scenario used for the simulation was based on Exercise KERNEL BLITZ (KB), a biennial joint amphibious operation conducted on the West Coast of the United States. The UGVM's communication limitations and speed were varied in the JCATS simulations. Measures of effectiveness (MOEs) for these changes included total blue detections, blue detections over time, total blue kills, and blue losses over time.