Optimal fire allocation in a combat model of mixed NCW type

TL;DR

This paper develops a nonlinear Lanchester model for NCW-type conflicts and determines the optimal initial fire distribution for the Blue force to maximize its remaining strength in the first battle stage.

Contribution

It introduces a new nonlinear model and a method to compute optimal fire allocation based on threatening rates, addressing a specific multi-force combat scenario.

Findings

Optimal fire allocation maximizes Blue's remaining force.

Threatening rates effectively guide initial fire distribution.

Numerical examples validate the theoretical approach.

Abstract

In this work, we introduce a nonlinear Lanchester model of NCW-type and study a problem of finding the optimal fire allocation for this model. A Blue party $B$ will fight against a Red party consisting of $A$ and $R$, where $A$ is an independent force and $R$ fights with supports from a supply unit $N$. A battle may consist of several stages but we consider the problem of finding optimal fire allocation for $B$ in the first stage only. Optimal fire allocation is a set of three non-negative numbers whose sum equals to one, such that the remaining force of $B$ is maximal at any instants. In order to tackle this problem, we introduce the notion of \textit{threatening rates} which are computed for $A, R, N$ at the beginning of the battle. Numerical illustrations are presented to justify the theoretical findings.