Army Training Computer Simulations Can Improve Command Training in Large-Scale Exercises

Abstract

Conducting large-scale military exercises has been considered one of the best means, short of war, of testing the ability of military forces to effectively deploy and execute their missions. The Return of Forces to Germany (REFORGER) began in the 1960s and has become the Army's largest strategic deployment exercise. The 1990 version of this exercise was markedly different from previous ones because it made extensive use of computer simulations. Because of concern about whether simulations can provide an effective alternative to large-scale field exercises, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services, asked GAO to review the 1990 versions of this exercise to determine (1) how much it was scaled back, (2) the advantages and limitations of using simulations in comparison with large-scale ground maneuvers, (3) future plans for using simulations, and (4) how much money can be saved by relying increasingly on simulations for training. GAO also reviewed studies completed by other audit agencies concerning the acquisition of computer-assisted simulations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA253958

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Army Training
  • Artillery
  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Support
  • Command And Control
  • Computer Simulations
  • Countermobility
  • Employment
  • Fire Support
  • Military Exercises
  • Nato
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design