Models, Data, and War: A Critique of the Study of Conventional Forces

Abstract

Many combat models exist which simulate phases of conventional war. These models must employ data inputs to provide quantitative estimates of effectiveness useful for decisionmaking. This report surveys the quality of both the data and the combat models. Attnetion is given to the concepts of firepower scores and indexes, estimates of terminal ordnance effects, and estimates of ammunition expenditure which are used in most models. It is shown that major deficiencies models. It is shown that major deficiencies exist in both the quality and kinds of empirical data necessary for adequate analysis of combat operations. There is inadequate testing of most of the behavior relationships embedded in models.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA017609

Entities

People

  • J. A. Stockfisch

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Artillery
  • Artillery Ammunition
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Health Services
  • Indirect Fire
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • Munitions Testing
  • Operations Research
  • Ordnance Laboratories
  • Self Propelled Guns
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

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