Optimization of Intelligent Munition Warfare Using Agent-Based Simulation Software and Design of Experiments Methodology

Abstract

The era of dumb munitions is coming to a close for the US arsenal. The new generation of ground-based munitions are much more like sentinels which guard a region and have an intelligent capability to select targets, cycle on or off and provide the primary killing mechanism for a number of vehicles caught in the killzone. Thus, it is useful to study and attempt to model through equations and simulation the interaction between enemy agents and these new munitions. The objective of this paper is to propose use of agent based modeling software with Design of Experiments methodology to evaluate placement patterns for US intelligent munitions in an effort to optimize their performance. This study introduces MANA, the agent based modeling software, and presents the results from a series of simulation trials to analyze and compare the efficacy of three different placement patterns for the Hornet Wide Area Munition over a range of densities. The results of the study indicate in general that agent based modeling software and Design of Experiments methodology may be very useful in optimizing strategies for munition emplacement. A specific result from the case study used herein indicates that there are more optimal options for emplacement of the munitions for a disruption-type effect than what is currently recommended based upon doctrine. The Authors utilized both Ventral Composite Design and Latin Hypercube sampling methods to develops two independent test matrices for use in carrying out the simulations and comparing results. The experimental results were then used to develop a 2nd order Dual Response Surface for use in optimizing the design.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA481682

Entities

People

  • Bruce Floersheim
  • Gene Hou

Organizations

  • Old Dominion University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Agent-Based Simulations
  • Case Studies
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Science
  • Doctrine
  • Emplacement
  • Experimental Design
  • Ground Based
  • Information Science
  • Munitions
  • Sampling
  • Simulations
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Two Dimensional
  • Warfare
  • Weapons

Readers

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  • Software Engineering.
  • Strategic Security Studies