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.
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.
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.
Session 7 - Modeling Target Acquisition
Target Acquisition algorithms.
Example Midterm
Example Midterm Solutions
Session 8 - Modeling the Battlefield Environment
Modeling the Battlefield Environment - Terrain and Mobility
Homework
Session 9 - Modeling C4ISR
Modeling C4ISR
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
Using Pythagoras to Model OOTW
"Base of Sand" white paper, Davis and Blumenthal, Rand Corp.
Session 12 - Distributed Simulations
Distributed Simulation, High-Level Architecture
JDEP - an HLA Case Study
Session 13 - Agent-Based Models; System Dynamics Modeling
Example Final
Solutions to Example Final
Project Part 1
Download this zip file for use in the project. Extract the files to the root level of any drive on a PC. The zip file contains a README file, the project statement, an executable, example input data files, and example output files.
Alternative modeling environment for Project Part I: Available for download at NetLogo Agent-Based Modeling Environment.
Project Part 2
Download this zip file for use in part 2 of the project. The zip file contains a Word document explaining Part 2 and an Excel spreadsheet with a Lanchester model.
Normal and T-Distribution Tables
Statistical tables for Normal (Z) and Students-T Distributions.
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.
WinZip Evaluation Copy
In case you don't have Winzip to unzip the project files and lecture notes, here is an evalution copy good for 30 days.
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.
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 Available for download at CNA.
“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 Available for download at CNA.
“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.