Validation of the USAWC Student War Gaming Model.
Abstract
This study evaluates the validity of the USAWC Student War Gaming Model relative to its ability to replicate historical events of war. The validation process simulated a historical battle and compared the model results with the actual historical events. Selected battles of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War were used in the study. The battle period was 15-18 October during which time the Israelis moved to cross the Suez Canal into Egypt. The study included a review of a similar study done in 1982, review of model changes by the USAWC War Gaming Department from 1982-83, comparison of the 1982 project's battle results with results of exactly the same computer input to the 1983 model, and exercising the 1983 model by conducting the battle with Egyptian and Israeli forces as known historically. Real world objectives and missions as known to the Egyptian and Israeli forces were used by the respective Egyptian and Israeli war game commanders, i.e., the Israeli forces were attacking with the known mission to cross the Suez Canal. The Egyptian forces were defending initially not knowing Israeli objectives. Results were evaluated relative to battle time involved, attrited unit strengths, variations in maneuver units involved and general location of maneuver units during and after the battle period. The study showed that the model did produce the same general historical results, i.e., the Israeli did cross the Suez Canal, but did not do so in the historical time frame or with comparable battle attrition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 18, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA130222
Entities
People
- Edward D. Baisden Jr.
- Michael L. Gentry
- Richard A. Foster
- Robert B. Franklin Jr.
- William R. Bendall
Organizations
- United States Army War College