This page contains links to lecture notes, to required and supplemental readings, to software programs required for the Project, and to other tools we've found useful and collected here for your convenience.

Lecture Notes

Session 1 - Introduction

An overview of SYST-683, with a discussion of various definitions and taxonomies of combat models.  The combat model being used as a recurring example through-out the course, Eagle, is introduced.

Session 2 - Principles of Good Use of Combat Models

A discussion of appropriate and inappropriate use of combat models in the context of military decision-making.  Project Part I is introduced, and a short review of statistical hypothesis testing is provided for use in the project.  The basic time control structure of simulations is introduced.

Homework Solution

Session 3 - Physical Models of Attrition 

Physical models of attrition. Single-shot and multi-shot accuracy and lethality models.

Homework Solution

Session 4 - Aggregated Models of Attrition - Lanchester 

Lanchester models of attrition for aggregate-level simulation.

Homework

Homework Solution

Session 5 - Aggregated Models of Attrition - Lanchester Extensions 

Stochastic Extensions to Lanchester models of attrition.

Homework

Homework Solution

Session 6 - Aggregated Models of Attrition - Non-Lanchester Models 

Non-Lanchester attrition algorithms of aggregated combat.

Example Midterm 

Example Midterm Solutions 

Midterm Review 

Session 7 - Modeling Target Acquisition 

Target Acquisition algorithms.

Session 8 - Modeling the Battlefield Environment 

Modeling the Battlefield Environment - Terrain and Mobility

Homework

Session 9 - Modeling C4ISR 

Modeling Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

Session 10 - Modeling Battlefield Functions; THUNDER; EADSIM 

Modeling Battlefield Functions - THUNDER, EADSIM, Ground Combat Functions

Session 11 - The Future of M&S 

The Future of Military Modeling and Simulation

Session 12 - Distributed Simulations 

Distributed Simulation, High-Level Architecture

Session 13 - Agent-Based Models; System Dynamics Modeling 

System Dynamics Animated Example 

System Dynamics COIN Example 

Example Final  

Solutions to Example Final  

Review for Final  

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Software

Project Statement - Part 1

TankDuel V2 simulation zip file

Project Details

TankDuel V1 simulation zip file (32-bit)

TankDuel V1 simulation zip file (64-bit)

Download the project statement and zip file for use in part I of the project. It contains the directions and the simulation you will use for the project. Instructions on installing and testing the simulation are found in the project statement.

Tools

Normal and T-Distribution Tables

Statistical tables for Normal (Z) and Students-T Distributions. (Ref "http://www.statsoft.com/textbook/distribution-tables/")

Spreadsheet Lanchester Attrition Algorithm

Lanchester Homogeneous Square-Law and Linear-Law Spreadsheet attrition algorithm.

Spreadsheet Potential-Anti-Potential Attrition Algorithm

Potential/Anti-Potential (Eigenvalue Method) Attrition Algorithm for 2x2 case.

Spreadsheet T-Test

Two ways to compute a Student's t-Test - either by computing the t statistic and looking the value up in the T-table, or by using Excel's builtin tool.

NetLogo MM1 Queue model

Simple M/M/1 Queueing model; requires NetLogo 4.1

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Required Readings

Airland Combat Models I, High Resolution Combat Modeling , James K. Hartman, Sam H. Parry, and William J. Caldwell, 8 December 1992. 

Airland Combat Models II, Aggregated Combat Modeling , James K. Hartman, Sam H. Parry, and William J. Caldwell, 7 December 1992. 

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Supplemental Readings

F.W. Lanchester, Aircraft in Warfare, The Dawn of the Fourth ArmConstable and Company Ltd., London, 1916.

Virtual Combat, David Neyland,  Good look at the history of distributed simulation, with emphasis on DIS

Military Operations Research, Vol 5, Number 3, 2000.  “The Stochastic Versus Deterministic Argument for Combat Simulations: Tales of When the Average Won’t Do”, Thomas W. Lucas

Land Warfare and Complexity Part I ”Mathematical Background and Technical Sourcebook”, Andy Ilachinski, Center for Naval Analyses, July 1996

http://www.cna.org/research/1996/land-warfare-complexity-part-ii-assessment

Land Warfare and Complexity Part II ”An Assessment of the Applicability of Nonlinear Dynamics and Complex Systems Theory to the Study of Land Warfare”, Andy Ilachinski, Center for Naval Analyses, July 1996

“Introduction to Military Training Simulations: A Guide for Discrete Event Simulationists” Ernest H. Page and Roger Smith, "Proceedings of the 1998 Winter Simulation Conference".

“The Base of Sand Problem: A White Paper on the State of Military Combat Modeling” Paul K. Davis, Donald Blumenthal, Rand Corp, 1991.

"High Level Architecture" Course Notes Roy Crosbie and John Zenor, McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences, California State University, Chico.

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