Assessing the Value of Information Superiority for Ground Forces-Proof of Concept

Publication Date: January 2001

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Author(s): Christopher G. Pernin; Louis R. Moore; Daniel Gonzales; David M. Matonick

Research Area: Military and defense

Type: Brief

Abstract:

Advanced communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems are intended to provide information superiority, or the capability to collect, process, and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of information while exploiting or denying an adversary’s ability to do the same. In this proof-of-concept model the C4ISR systems were linked to autonomous decisionmaking agents that simulated division and brigade commanders. These decisionmaking agents were implemented in a notional operational-level scenario in which the quality of situation awareness data provided to ground force units can be varied as a function of the performance of the C4ISR system architecture, making it possible to determine the impact of C4ISR system performance on combat outcome. The System Effectiveness Analysis Simulation (SEAS), an agent-based model, was augmented by incorporating C2 agents capable of adaptive command decisionmaking based on dynamic battlefield awareness information. Initial results indicate that combat outcomes depend critically on C4ISR architecture performance.