Using Game Theory to Analyze Operations Against Time-Critical Targets

Abstract

When planning operations against time-critical targets (TCTs), military commanders typically think about how much capability they need to kill enemy forces. However, they also consider how their strategies will affect the enemy's behavior. TCT operations include suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction of moving forces, and attacks against theater ballistic missiles (TBMs). Convincing an enemy not to fire surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), not to move his forces, or not to launch TBMs is often a satisfactory short-term alternative to physically destroying enemy systems. A study by RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF) shows how military planners can use game theory to understand the effects of U.S. strategy and capabilities on the enemy in TCT operations. Game theory uses mathematics to model human decisionmaking in competitive situations. It is ideally suited for analyzing military situations because it depicts the realistic situation in which both sides are free to choose their best "moves" and to adjust their strategy over time. Military planners can apply these principles to TCT operations through game theoretic analysis.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA427621

Entities

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Education
  • Game Theory
  • Health Care
  • Homeland Security
  • Mathematics
  • Military Commanders
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Public Safety
  • Security
  • Theater Ballistic Missiles
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.