Evaluating UAV impact in the tactical context of a mechanized infantry scout platoon through military simulation software

Abstract

Military simulation has been established as a computational and scientific tool for assessing the performance in combat of equipment, ranging from land mines to aircraft, and the suitability of tactics, ranging from platoon to division level. To this end, specialized software has been developed, replacing the traditional Prussian dice-throwing, turn-based war games. JANUS is such a suite, allowing human-in-the-loop simulations from squadron to battalion scale based on realistic combat models based on historical conflict data. This paper presents the initial results of a recent large scale campaign of experiments aimed to assess the effects of incorporating a UAV to a typical Hellenic mechanized infantry scout platoon. To the authors best knowledge, this is the first campaign of experiments undertaken by the Hellenic Military Academy. Therefore, there have been key contributions in a number of levels. On the software side, there are the development of a realistic mechanized infantry platoon advance scenario for JANUS, the creation and insertion of an appropriate UAV to JANUS unit database, the assessment of JANUS strengths and limitations for simulations of this scale, and the software development for parsing JANUS voluminous output report text files. From a mathematical perspective, there is the statistical analysis and interpretation of simulation results. Finally, there is the experimental aspect, where heavy emphasis has been placed on selecting the experiment independent, dependent, and control variables. Of equal importance was the skill level evaluation of the class III Cadets which have been volunteered as JANUS operators as well as their subsequent training. Ultimately, the software, mathematical, and experimentation aspects combined yield a framework for conducting large-scale defense experiments. As for the simulation per se, results indicate a considerable advantage to UAV possession as a reconnaissance asset, as scout platoons equipped with a UAV were able on average to fire more rounds over longer distances and inflict more losses to enemy forces. Ultimately, these factors enabled friendly units to accomplish their objectives.