Optimal resource allocation and redistribution strategy in military conflicts with Lanchester square law attrition

We address the problem of optimal decision‐making in conflicts based on Lanchester square law attrition model where a defending force needs to be partitioned optimally, and allocated to two different attacking forces of differing strengths and capabilities. We consider a resource allocation scheme called the Time Zero Allocation with Redistribution (TZAR) strategy, where allocation is followed by redistribution of defending forces, on the occurrence of certain decisive events. Unlike previous work on Lanchester attrition model based tactical decision‐making, which propose time sequential tactics through an optimal control approach, the present article focuses on obtaining simpler resource allocation tactics based on a static optimization framework, and demonstrates that the results obtained are similar to those obtained by the more complex dynamic optimal control solution. Complete solution for this strategy is obtained for optimal partitioning of resources of the defending forces. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008     

The challenges of Iraq: putting US Army stability operations doctrine to the test

The US Army develops doctrine as a set of fundamental principles that guide its actions in support of national objectives. Recently, those national objectives required stability operations, with increasing scope and frequency. This study examines whether existing US Army doctrine adequately fulfilled its role as a guide to tactics in addressing the challenges that Army forces faced in the first 15 months of the war in Iraq. Field Manual 3-24 Counterinsurgency has remedied many deficiencies, but several remain to be addressed to offer commanders better guidance in the face of the many complex challenges they face in stability operations.     

Controlled warfare: how directed-energy weapons will enable the US Military to fight effectively in an urban environment while minimizing collateral damage

US military operations are increasingly conducted within urban environments and with these operations come the risk of increasing the number of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The use of non-lethal weaponry, such as directed-energy weapons, is one method for minimizing collateral damage. This method enables US military forces to effectively fight within urban environments through force escalation capabilities. Using a series of historical examples and future scenarios for urban warfare, this article highlights deficiencies affecting military capabilities in military urban operations, addresses the consequences of collateral damage, assesses the effectiveness of directed-energy weapons in military urban operations and encourages further funding, research and integration of non-lethal weaponry, such as directed-energy weapons, within the US military.     

Did the Panamanian Defense Forces conduct infiltration operations at the Arraijan Tank Farm in 1988?

This article reviews the circumstances surrounding a relatively obscure and almost forgotten US Marine Corps and Army security enhancement operation undertaken in Panama that commenced in early April of 1988. Marines were sent to Panama to protect oil and ammunition storage facilities from potential saboteurs. By April 1989 they had reported sighting armed, uniformed intruders on at least 43 occasions and receiving gunfire or discharging their own weapons during 16 incidents. Yet despite the repeated barrages of small arms fire over the course of a year, they failed to recover enemy ammunition, bodies or body parts and their own equipment and positions displayed no signs of suffering from hostile fire. This article analyzes the events from the point of view of a veteran of the operation and highlights the role that psychological operations may have played in generating the situation.     

The missing dimension: IDF special operations forces and strategy in the Second Lebanon War

In the course of the 2006 Lebanon War the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) employed special operations forces (SOF) for raids against Hizb'allah's command and control structure. This article argues that a faulty conceptualization of the value of special operations and misguided expectations determined by the new IDF concept of operations impacted adversely on the employment of SOF for this kind of operations. Both these elements contributed in turn to substantially degrade SOF performance in the context of the war.     

美军新版《太空作战》联合条令的主要内容、变化及分析

2013年5月29日,美军参联会发布新版《太空作战》联合条令。文章对新版条令的主要内容进行了概括,对新、旧版本条令的差异进行了分析研究。     

基本作战样式下航母编队兵力配置方法

航母编队兵力配置是航母编队作战运用的基础内容,从作战任务的角度来研究航母编队兵力配置问题。航母编队基本作战样式可分为对空作战、对海作战、对潜作战和对岸作战4种,航母编队通过基本作战样式的组合来达成作战任务。基于每种作战样式下航母编队兵力执行的作战任务,确定了兵力配置的原则和方法。为研究航母编队兵力配置问题提供了一种可借鉴的思路。     

战役战术导弹部队机动作战面临的空中威胁分析

在分析战役战术导弹部队机动作战面临空中威胁可能性的基础上,研究了其遭敌空袭兵器和空袭战术威胁情况,并对战役战术导弹部队机动作战的各阶段遭敌空袭的威胁进行了探讨。在分析空中威胁时,借助美军主导的近几场局部战争的经验教训,总结了敌攻击战役战术导弹部队机动作战所使用的空袭兵器和空袭战术,以便在抗击敌空袭兵器时更具有针对性和现实性,以期为未来防空作战提供有益借鉴。     

公安现役部队遂行非战争军事行动训练规律

公安现役部队遂行非战争军事行动训练规律,是指客观存在于部队训练诸要素之间的本质的必然联系.其主要包括：任务牵引、理论先导、科技强训、以人为本、训战结合规律.认识部队军事训练规律、遵循军事训练规律,对于加强公安现役部队军事训练工作,提高部队军事训练盾量,不断推动部队军事训练发展,具有重要的现实意义.     

基于复杂适应系统理论的一体化联合作战研究

复杂适应系统理论为我们研究军事系统提供了崭新的视角,避免了传统的基于还原论方法研究军事系统机械分隔忽略系统要素之间相互作用的问题,可以得到军事系统全面准确的认识,对于深入研究一体化联合作战的本质内涵、基本特征和主要方法,尽快形成一体化联合作战的理论体系具有重要意义。文章通过分析军事系统特点得出军事系统是复杂适应系统的结论,在此基础上,从复杂适应系统理论的角度分析了一体化联合作战的内涵及提高军事系统一体化联合作战能力需要重点解决的四个问题。