A Lanchester-Type Analysis of the Covering Force Commitment.

Abstract

This thesis analyzes current U.S. Army defensive doctrine of committing a force forward of the main battle area as a covering force. It presents a theory for the correct assessment of covering force effectiveness and the applicability of Lanchester-type models to represent this tactic is demonstrated. Several simple Lanchester-type models are used to analyze the commitment of the covering force and its contribution to the total defensive battle. The key elements of combat dynamics are identified and modelled. A computer-based model is constructed and run iteratively to determine the optimal percentage of forces to be deployed as a covering force in various defensive situations. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA085046

Entities

People

  • Edwin Thomas Carlson

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artillery
  • Attrition
  • Battles
  • California
  • Coefficients
  • Combat Effectiveness
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Differential Equations
  • Doctrine
  • Equations
  • Equations Of State
  • Lanchester Equations
  • Mathematical Models
  • Military Organizations
  • Operations Research
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies