nd maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send ... more nd maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of Information, Including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person should be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB contml number.
: Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Ar... more : Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly. However, the risk of doing so without some assessment of utility is quite high. Accordingly, the acquisition community must develop its ability to predict the operational effectiveness and benefits of proposed systems with an ever-increasing degree of accuracy. To this end, the Army has resorted to combat simulations. However, the representation of the individual soldier within the context of such simulations has evolved at a markedly slower pace than other representations. In this paper, we will discuss the unique simulation requirements we developed to represent the Infantry soldier in adequate detail, the alternative we recommended to fulfill those requirements and to support acquisition decision-making, as well as the first phase of implementation of that recommendation and how it will impact the current and future force.
Many industrial firms seek the systematic reduction of variability as a primary means for reducin... more Many industrial firms seek the systematic reduction of variability as a primary means for reducing production cost and material waste without sacrificing product quality or process efficiency. Despite notable advancements in quality-based estimation and optimization approaches aimed at achieving this goal, various gaps remain between current methodologies and observed in modern industrial environments. In many cases, models rely on assumptions that either limit their usefulness or diminish the reliability of the estimated results. This includes instances where models are generalized to a specific set of assumed process conditions, which constrains their applicability against a wider array of industrial problems. However, such generalizations often do not hold in practice. If the realities are ignored, the derived estimates can be misleading and, once applied to optimization schemes, can result in suboptimal solutions and dubious recommendations to decision makers. The goal of this research is to develop improved quality models that more fully explore innate process conditions, rely less on theoretical assumptions, and have extensions to an array of more realistic industrial environments. Several key areas are addressed in which further research can reinforce foundations, extend existing knowledge and applications, and narrow the gap between academia and industry. These include the integration of a more comprehensive approach to data analysis, the development of conditions-based approaches to tier-one and tier-two estimation, achieving cost robustness in the face of dynamic process variability, the development of new strategies for eliminating variability at the source, and the integration of trade-off analyses that balance the need for enhanced precision against associated costs. Pursuant to a detailed literature review, various quality models are proposed, and numerical examples are used to validate their use. iii DEDICATION This manuscript is the result of many hours of study, research, and writing; none of which would have been possible without the patience, love, mentorship, and support of several people. Accordingly, this work is dedicated to many, but mostly the following: • Foremost, my loving wife, Colleen, and my three children, Tully, Abigail, and Emily, whose unwavering confidence, encouragement, patience, and understanding made this achievement not only possible, but a reality. • My parents, Peter and Kathy Boylan, whose steadfast love and confidence in my abilities, conscious and unconscious mentorship, and limitless support for my desire to pursue this endeavor nourished my own desire and confidence in my abilities to get it done. • My loyal and faithful dog, Charlie (Chuck), whose many hours spent by my side or under my feet while conducting research or typing furiously at my desk made those hours more enjoyable and served as a constant reminder of what life is really all about: love and respect for others. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As such works are rarely the product of one person's efforts, I must acknowledge the efforts and contributions of several others that made this endeavor not only possible, but enlightening and enjoyable. They have served as my teachers, coaches, and mentors during my experience at Clemson University and I am indebted to them: • I must express my most sincere gratitude and respect for my research advisor and Committee Chair, Dr. Byung Rae Cho. Through his guidance and mentorship, he taught me not only how to properly conduct research at the doctoral level and communicate the results to the field, but also how to successfully manage the myriad aspects of research and teaching effectively in a university setting. • I must also thank my supporting committee members-Dr. Scott Shappell, Dr. Joel Greenstein, and Dr. Brian Melloy-for providing the example, guidance, and direction to be a successful doctoral student and for supporting all of my efforts. Observing these gentlemen interact with and guide their students and research assistants has been a source of inspiration as I prepare to resume my own pursuits in academia. • Lastly, I must acknowledge the Omar Bradley Fellowship Foundation for funding my research associated with tier-one estimation in ballistic armor applications. This funding enabled me to present my research at various conferences during my time at Clemson University and I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in the fellowship. v
The Armament Research and Development Center at Picatinny Arsenal has developed a Soft Catch Gun ... more The Armament Research and Development Center at Picatinny Arsenal has developed a Soft Catch Gun system that that fires a 155mm projectile through a 170-meter tube containing a series of mechanisms meant to decelerate and ultimately catch the projectile. The goal of the “soft catch” is to determine whether sensor and guidance components added to the projectiles can survive the extreme forces exerted during the launch. To date, various sources of variability have resulted in a 63% success rate after more than 700 shots. This research aims to improve the system catch rate by creating a predictive statistical model that will assist operators in determining specific settings for system inputs given a projectile type and charge. Our approach uses analysis of system pressure gauges and regression techniques to characterize system behavior. Thereafter, robust parameter design and dual response surface techniques are applied to create a predictive model that will provide the air pressure an...
: In the last few years, there have been a number of successful tests of hypersonic vehicles powe... more : In the last few years, there have been a number of successful tests of hypersonic vehicles powered by supersonic- combustion ramjets (scramjets). These have led us to wonder if such vehicles could offer benefits in an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) role. There are two key considerations in such a use of this technology. First, the scramjet works best in a relatively thin layer of the earth s atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 90,000 feet. This is not to say that the projectile will not work below this altitude, but it is at this altitude that the hydrogen-fueled engine interacts with the oxygen resulting in hypersonic speeds up to mach 9.6 or nearly 7,000 mph. The second consideration stems directly from the first unless released directly into that portion of the atmosphere, the projectile will require some form of boost phase to get it there.
: Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Ar... more : Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly. The risk of doing so without some assessment of utility, however, is quite high, and the acquisition community must estimate the operational impact of proposed systems with an increasing degree of accuracy. For this, the Army has turned to combat simulations. However, the representation of the individual soldier in simulations has not kept pace with other representations. We applied the systems engineering process to support the needs of the Infantry soldier system acquisition community' by identifying the best path forward to utilize and/or develop simulation capabilities that' meet program manager's needs. Our recommendation was that PEO Soldier pursue the enhancement of' and linkage between Combat(XXI), the Infantry Warrior Simulation, and Objective One Semi- Automated Forces. In this report, we discuss the process that we app...
: The Army acquisition community requires high-resolution simulations that represent the dismount... more : The Army acquisition community requires high-resolution simulations that represent the dismounted infantry soldier in enough detail to conduct an analysis of alternatives (AOA) for individual weapons and equipment. These models must also be capable of assessing future, proposed capabilities and technologies. Previous work completed in May 2004 proposed the creation of a federation between three different simulation models to achieve this capability. Over the past two years, the Operations Research Center at the United States Military Academy has worked with PEO Soldier to implement this proposed solution. In this report, we discuss second year of the implementation process. We first will describe the process of refining the requirements developed in the first year of implementation into a more useable set of analytical focus-areas for the three combat model developers. We will then address the critical topic of linking the three models. Finally, we will detail the procedure we use...
Success on the modern battlefield requires increasing degrees of situational awareness down to th... more Success on the modern battlefield requires increasing degrees of situational awareness down to the individual soldier level. Dismounted infantry squads in particular risk surprise and loss of tactical advantage when information is lacking. While many technologies to gather and share information have evolved, the current piecemeal approach to fielding them has failed to provide the integrated, real-time situational awareness needed for squads to anticipate situations and effectively maneuver to positions of advantage. In addressing these challenges, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has initiated a forward-thinking effort dubbed “Squad-X”. This research assists DARPA by providing a detailed operational architecture and gap analysis that will uniquely define how the squad will be expected to operate in its future environment. Our approach invokes functional analysis to characterize squad operational requirements. Conceptual models are then developed to facilitate s...
Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army... more Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly.
: This paper provides a detailed perspective on the problem-solving methodology used to develop a... more : This paper provides a detailed perspective on the problem-solving methodology used to develop a capabilities-based design template for the Army's future Battle Command Training Center. Central to this process was a simulation-based approach to evaluating the core capabilities of the BCTC and validating capability requirements for three facility sizes. Additionally, it will show how our efforts generated an analytical tool that the Army can use to assist in the design and development of training facilities to ensure they possess the capabilities required of them, as well as a simulation tool that can identify the potential impacts on training as a result of changes that run the gamut from space and staff levels to changes in training requirements to the unit composition on a particular installation.
The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious. -Marcus Aurelius, 121-180 ... more The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious. -Marcus Aurelius, 121-180 CE IN THE EARLY 4th century BCE, more than five centuries before the great philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius made the observation quoted above, Gallic tribes sacked Rome. Faced with the first real threat to its existence, the young Roman state recognized the need to rethink how it organized for combat. Of the various changes adopted, the most important and extreme transformation was the abandonment of the Greek-style phalanx. This military organizational structure had been long-established as the most effective way to achieve success against opponents with a similar operational paradigm. However, the Romans understood that - unlike Greece - Italy and Gaul were not governed by city states, whose armies met on large plains deemed suitable by both sides to settle disputes. Rather, they were a collection of hill tribes adept at using the complex terrain to their advantage. Accordingly, the...
Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the ... more Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the Army executes battle command. This has induced a re-evaluation of Battle Command Training Centers (BCTCs) and the capabilities they possess to achieve battle command training strategies and objectives. Current BCTC facilities were developed within the last 6-7 years to address the unique training needs of newly formed digitized units (Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and units involved in the Advanced Warfighting Experiment or AWE) at a handful of installations. In the interim, the Army has decided to digitize the entire force. This has generated logical questions about whether existing facilities can accommodate this shift and the evolving and growing training needs of the transforming force, as well as what capabilities future facilities must possess to meet these needs for the foreseeable future. To this point, little rigor has been applied to verify the answers to such questions and validate design templates for future facilities. In order to rectify this problem, the Army has implemented efforts to develop and design a standardized BCTC design template that provides the battle command training capability necessary to achieve expected annual training throughput and battle command training objectives. We utilized the Systems Engineering and Management Process (SEMP) taught in the Department of Systems Engineering at West Point as the overarching approach to addressing the Army's problem. Specifically, we applied the first three phases of the SEMP 1) to thoroughly and completely define the problem through an in-depth needs analysis and functional decomposition of the system, which would facilitate the development of base-case designs; 2) to develop a simulation-based approach to modeling the base-case designs in order to assess the adequacy of the training capabilities they possessed and then evaluate alternative configurations; and then 3) to provide recommended templates to the Army that possess the requisite capabilities to achieve annual training objectives. The core of our efforts revolved around the central question concerning the adequacy of the training capabilities inherent in the base-case designs. As this paper will show, the results clearly indicate that the capabilities are indeed adequate to achieve annual training throughput iv objectives as they pertain to the Army's Digital Training Strategy, the Combined Arms Training Strategy, and the Army Force Generation Model. Although the base-case designs appear to be excessive relative to the results of our modeling and analysis process, we recommend them nevertheless for several reasons that stem from the flexibility they provide. In the end, this paper will provide a detailed perspective on our problem-solving methodology, our simulation-based approach therein, and the results we achieved. Additionally, it will show how our efforts generated an analytical tool that the Army can use to assist in the design and development of training facilities to ensure they possess the capabilities required of them, as well as a simulation tool that can identify the potential impacts on training as a result of changes that run the gamut from space and staff levels to changes in training requirements to the unit composition on a particular installation. v
In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the U.S. Arm... more In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the U.S. Army must field infantry soldier systems quickly. However, given the considerable developmental, production, and fielding costs associated with such systems, the risk is high that the fielded systems will not have sufficient utility to justify the expenses. Therefore, the acquisition community must estimate the operational impact of proposed systems with an increasing degree of accuracy. For this, the Army has turned to combat simulations. Unfortunately, the representation of the individual soldier in simulations has not kept pace with other representations. Consequently, in order to support the needs of the infantry soldier system acquisition community, we applied a systems engineering process with a multi-objective approach rooted in value-focused thinking to identify the best path forward to utilize and/or develop capabilities that provide program managers with adequate and effective decision
Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the ... more Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the Army executes battle command. This has induced a re-evaluation of Battle Command Training Centers (BCTCs) and the capabilities they possess to achieve battle command training strategies and objectives.
Proceedings of the 2004 Winter Simulation Conference, 2004., 2004
In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the Army mus... more In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the Army must field Infantry soldier systems quickly; however, the cost of doing so without some assessment of utility is quite high. Therefore, the acquisition community must estimate the operational impact of proposed systems with an increasing degree of accuracy. For this, the Army has turned to combat simulations. However, the focus in the past has been on larger battlefield systems and unit-level analyses. Additionally, Infantry soldier models require unprecedented fidelity in terms of the soldier entity and his environment. As a result, the simulation representation of the individual soldier on the battlefield has not kept pace with other representations. In this paper, we discuss our identification of the unique simulation requirements for modeling the Infantry soldier as a system of systems in support of acquisition decision making.
Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army... more Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly. However, the risk of doing so without some assessment of utility is quite high. Accordingly, the acquisition community must develop its ability to predict the operational effectiveness and benefits of proposed systems with an ever-increasing degree of accuracy. To this end, the Army has resorted to combat simulations. However, the representation of the individual soldier within the context of such simulations has evolved at a markedly slower pace than other representations. In this paper, we will discuss the unique simulation requirements we developed to represent the Infantry soldier in adequate detail, the alternative we recommended to fulfill those requirements and to support acquisition decision-making, as well as the first phase of implementation of that recommendation and how it will impact the current and future force.
nd maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send ... more nd maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of Information, Including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person should be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB contml number.
: Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Ar... more : Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly. However, the risk of doing so without some assessment of utility is quite high. Accordingly, the acquisition community must develop its ability to predict the operational effectiveness and benefits of proposed systems with an ever-increasing degree of accuracy. To this end, the Army has resorted to combat simulations. However, the representation of the individual soldier within the context of such simulations has evolved at a markedly slower pace than other representations. In this paper, we will discuss the unique simulation requirements we developed to represent the Infantry soldier in adequate detail, the alternative we recommended to fulfill those requirements and to support acquisition decision-making, as well as the first phase of implementation of that recommendation and how it will impact the current and future force.
Many industrial firms seek the systematic reduction of variability as a primary means for reducin... more Many industrial firms seek the systematic reduction of variability as a primary means for reducing production cost and material waste without sacrificing product quality or process efficiency. Despite notable advancements in quality-based estimation and optimization approaches aimed at achieving this goal, various gaps remain between current methodologies and observed in modern industrial environments. In many cases, models rely on assumptions that either limit their usefulness or diminish the reliability of the estimated results. This includes instances where models are generalized to a specific set of assumed process conditions, which constrains their applicability against a wider array of industrial problems. However, such generalizations often do not hold in practice. If the realities are ignored, the derived estimates can be misleading and, once applied to optimization schemes, can result in suboptimal solutions and dubious recommendations to decision makers. The goal of this research is to develop improved quality models that more fully explore innate process conditions, rely less on theoretical assumptions, and have extensions to an array of more realistic industrial environments. Several key areas are addressed in which further research can reinforce foundations, extend existing knowledge and applications, and narrow the gap between academia and industry. These include the integration of a more comprehensive approach to data analysis, the development of conditions-based approaches to tier-one and tier-two estimation, achieving cost robustness in the face of dynamic process variability, the development of new strategies for eliminating variability at the source, and the integration of trade-off analyses that balance the need for enhanced precision against associated costs. Pursuant to a detailed literature review, various quality models are proposed, and numerical examples are used to validate their use. iii DEDICATION This manuscript is the result of many hours of study, research, and writing; none of which would have been possible without the patience, love, mentorship, and support of several people. Accordingly, this work is dedicated to many, but mostly the following: • Foremost, my loving wife, Colleen, and my three children, Tully, Abigail, and Emily, whose unwavering confidence, encouragement, patience, and understanding made this achievement not only possible, but a reality. • My parents, Peter and Kathy Boylan, whose steadfast love and confidence in my abilities, conscious and unconscious mentorship, and limitless support for my desire to pursue this endeavor nourished my own desire and confidence in my abilities to get it done. • My loyal and faithful dog, Charlie (Chuck), whose many hours spent by my side or under my feet while conducting research or typing furiously at my desk made those hours more enjoyable and served as a constant reminder of what life is really all about: love and respect for others. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As such works are rarely the product of one person's efforts, I must acknowledge the efforts and contributions of several others that made this endeavor not only possible, but enlightening and enjoyable. They have served as my teachers, coaches, and mentors during my experience at Clemson University and I am indebted to them: • I must express my most sincere gratitude and respect for my research advisor and Committee Chair, Dr. Byung Rae Cho. Through his guidance and mentorship, he taught me not only how to properly conduct research at the doctoral level and communicate the results to the field, but also how to successfully manage the myriad aspects of research and teaching effectively in a university setting. • I must also thank my supporting committee members-Dr. Scott Shappell, Dr. Joel Greenstein, and Dr. Brian Melloy-for providing the example, guidance, and direction to be a successful doctoral student and for supporting all of my efforts. Observing these gentlemen interact with and guide their students and research assistants has been a source of inspiration as I prepare to resume my own pursuits in academia. • Lastly, I must acknowledge the Omar Bradley Fellowship Foundation for funding my research associated with tier-one estimation in ballistic armor applications. This funding enabled me to present my research at various conferences during my time at Clemson University and I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in the fellowship. v
The Armament Research and Development Center at Picatinny Arsenal has developed a Soft Catch Gun ... more The Armament Research and Development Center at Picatinny Arsenal has developed a Soft Catch Gun system that that fires a 155mm projectile through a 170-meter tube containing a series of mechanisms meant to decelerate and ultimately catch the projectile. The goal of the “soft catch” is to determine whether sensor and guidance components added to the projectiles can survive the extreme forces exerted during the launch. To date, various sources of variability have resulted in a 63% success rate after more than 700 shots. This research aims to improve the system catch rate by creating a predictive statistical model that will assist operators in determining specific settings for system inputs given a projectile type and charge. Our approach uses analysis of system pressure gauges and regression techniques to characterize system behavior. Thereafter, robust parameter design and dual response surface techniques are applied to create a predictive model that will provide the air pressure an...
: In the last few years, there have been a number of successful tests of hypersonic vehicles powe... more : In the last few years, there have been a number of successful tests of hypersonic vehicles powered by supersonic- combustion ramjets (scramjets). These have led us to wonder if such vehicles could offer benefits in an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) role. There are two key considerations in such a use of this technology. First, the scramjet works best in a relatively thin layer of the earth s atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 90,000 feet. This is not to say that the projectile will not work below this altitude, but it is at this altitude that the hydrogen-fueled engine interacts with the oxygen resulting in hypersonic speeds up to mach 9.6 or nearly 7,000 mph. The second consideration stems directly from the first unless released directly into that portion of the atmosphere, the projectile will require some form of boost phase to get it there.
: Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Ar... more : Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly. The risk of doing so without some assessment of utility, however, is quite high, and the acquisition community must estimate the operational impact of proposed systems with an increasing degree of accuracy. For this, the Army has turned to combat simulations. However, the representation of the individual soldier in simulations has not kept pace with other representations. We applied the systems engineering process to support the needs of the Infantry soldier system acquisition community' by identifying the best path forward to utilize and/or develop simulation capabilities that' meet program manager's needs. Our recommendation was that PEO Soldier pursue the enhancement of' and linkage between Combat(XXI), the Infantry Warrior Simulation, and Objective One Semi- Automated Forces. In this report, we discuss the process that we app...
: The Army acquisition community requires high-resolution simulations that represent the dismount... more : The Army acquisition community requires high-resolution simulations that represent the dismounted infantry soldier in enough detail to conduct an analysis of alternatives (AOA) for individual weapons and equipment. These models must also be capable of assessing future, proposed capabilities and technologies. Previous work completed in May 2004 proposed the creation of a federation between three different simulation models to achieve this capability. Over the past two years, the Operations Research Center at the United States Military Academy has worked with PEO Soldier to implement this proposed solution. In this report, we discuss second year of the implementation process. We first will describe the process of refining the requirements developed in the first year of implementation into a more useable set of analytical focus-areas for the three combat model developers. We will then address the critical topic of linking the three models. Finally, we will detail the procedure we use...
Success on the modern battlefield requires increasing degrees of situational awareness down to th... more Success on the modern battlefield requires increasing degrees of situational awareness down to the individual soldier level. Dismounted infantry squads in particular risk surprise and loss of tactical advantage when information is lacking. While many technologies to gather and share information have evolved, the current piecemeal approach to fielding them has failed to provide the integrated, real-time situational awareness needed for squads to anticipate situations and effectively maneuver to positions of advantage. In addressing these challenges, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has initiated a forward-thinking effort dubbed “Squad-X”. This research assists DARPA by providing a detailed operational architecture and gap analysis that will uniquely define how the squad will be expected to operate in its future environment. Our approach invokes functional analysis to characterize squad operational requirements. Conceptual models are then developed to facilitate s...
Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army... more Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly.
: This paper provides a detailed perspective on the problem-solving methodology used to develop a... more : This paper provides a detailed perspective on the problem-solving methodology used to develop a capabilities-based design template for the Army's future Battle Command Training Center. Central to this process was a simulation-based approach to evaluating the core capabilities of the BCTC and validating capability requirements for three facility sizes. Additionally, it will show how our efforts generated an analytical tool that the Army can use to assist in the design and development of training facilities to ensure they possess the capabilities required of them, as well as a simulation tool that can identify the potential impacts on training as a result of changes that run the gamut from space and staff levels to changes in training requirements to the unit composition on a particular installation.
The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious. -Marcus Aurelius, 121-180 ... more The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious. -Marcus Aurelius, 121-180 CE IN THE EARLY 4th century BCE, more than five centuries before the great philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius made the observation quoted above, Gallic tribes sacked Rome. Faced with the first real threat to its existence, the young Roman state recognized the need to rethink how it organized for combat. Of the various changes adopted, the most important and extreme transformation was the abandonment of the Greek-style phalanx. This military organizational structure had been long-established as the most effective way to achieve success against opponents with a similar operational paradigm. However, the Romans understood that - unlike Greece - Italy and Gaul were not governed by city states, whose armies met on large plains deemed suitable by both sides to settle disputes. Rather, they were a collection of hill tribes adept at using the complex terrain to their advantage. Accordingly, the...
Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the ... more Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the Army executes battle command. This has induced a re-evaluation of Battle Command Training Centers (BCTCs) and the capabilities they possess to achieve battle command training strategies and objectives. Current BCTC facilities were developed within the last 6-7 years to address the unique training needs of newly formed digitized units (Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and units involved in the Advanced Warfighting Experiment or AWE) at a handful of installations. In the interim, the Army has decided to digitize the entire force. This has generated logical questions about whether existing facilities can accommodate this shift and the evolving and growing training needs of the transforming force, as well as what capabilities future facilities must possess to meet these needs for the foreseeable future. To this point, little rigor has been applied to verify the answers to such questions and validate design templates for future facilities. In order to rectify this problem, the Army has implemented efforts to develop and design a standardized BCTC design template that provides the battle command training capability necessary to achieve expected annual training throughput and battle command training objectives. We utilized the Systems Engineering and Management Process (SEMP) taught in the Department of Systems Engineering at West Point as the overarching approach to addressing the Army's problem. Specifically, we applied the first three phases of the SEMP 1) to thoroughly and completely define the problem through an in-depth needs analysis and functional decomposition of the system, which would facilitate the development of base-case designs; 2) to develop a simulation-based approach to modeling the base-case designs in order to assess the adequacy of the training capabilities they possessed and then evaluate alternative configurations; and then 3) to provide recommended templates to the Army that possess the requisite capabilities to achieve annual training objectives. The core of our efforts revolved around the central question concerning the adequacy of the training capabilities inherent in the base-case designs. As this paper will show, the results clearly indicate that the capabilities are indeed adequate to achieve annual training throughput iv objectives as they pertain to the Army's Digital Training Strategy, the Combined Arms Training Strategy, and the Army Force Generation Model. Although the base-case designs appear to be excessive relative to the results of our modeling and analysis process, we recommend them nevertheless for several reasons that stem from the flexibility they provide. In the end, this paper will provide a detailed perspective on our problem-solving methodology, our simulation-based approach therein, and the results we achieved. Additionally, it will show how our efforts generated an analytical tool that the Army can use to assist in the design and development of training facilities to ensure they possess the capabilities required of them, as well as a simulation tool that can identify the potential impacts on training as a result of changes that run the gamut from space and staff levels to changes in training requirements to the unit composition on a particular installation. v
In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the U.S. Arm... more In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the U.S. Army must field infantry soldier systems quickly. However, given the considerable developmental, production, and fielding costs associated with such systems, the risk is high that the fielded systems will not have sufficient utility to justify the expenses. Therefore, the acquisition community must estimate the operational impact of proposed systems with an increasing degree of accuracy. For this, the Army has turned to combat simulations. Unfortunately, the representation of the individual soldier in simulations has not kept pace with other representations. Consequently, in order to support the needs of the infantry soldier system acquisition community, we applied a systems engineering process with a multi-objective approach rooted in value-focused thinking to identify the best path forward to utilize and/or develop capabilities that provide program managers with adequate and effective decision
Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the ... more Army transformation and the digitization of the force have, in many ways, revolutionized how the Army executes battle command. This has induced a re-evaluation of Battle Command Training Centers (BCTCs) and the capabilities they possess to achieve battle command training strategies and objectives.
Proceedings of the 2004 Winter Simulation Conference, 2004., 2004
In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the Army mus... more In order to maintain an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth, the Army must field Infantry soldier systems quickly; however, the cost of doing so without some assessment of utility is quite high. Therefore, the acquisition community must estimate the operational impact of proposed systems with an increasing degree of accuracy. For this, the Army has turned to combat simulations. However, the focus in the past has been on larger battlefield systems and unit-level analyses. Additionally, Infantry soldier models require unprecedented fidelity in terms of the soldier entity and his environment. As a result, the simulation representation of the individual soldier on the battlefield has not kept pace with other representations. In this paper, we discuss our identification of the unique simulation requirements for modeling the Infantry soldier as a system of systems in support of acquisition decision making.
Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army... more Maintaining an edge during this time of unprecedented technological growth requires that the Army field Infantry soldier systems quickly. However, the risk of doing so without some assessment of utility is quite high. Accordingly, the acquisition community must develop its ability to predict the operational effectiveness and benefits of proposed systems with an ever-increasing degree of accuracy. To this end, the Army has resorted to combat simulations. However, the representation of the individual soldier within the context of such simulations has evolved at a markedly slower pace than other representations. In this paper, we will discuss the unique simulation requirements we developed to represent the Infantry soldier in adequate detail, the alternative we recommended to fulfill those requirements and to support acquisition decision-making, as well as the first phase of implementation of that recommendation and how it will impact the current and future force.
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Papers by Gregory Boylan