Further canonical methods in the solution of variable-coefficient Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare
By: by James G. Taylor and Gerald G. Brown
Contributors: Brown, Gerald Gerard; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School
Published: 1977
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 39
Subjects: Mathematical models; Tactics; Combat; War games; Games of strategy (Mathematics)
Description: This paper introduces an important new canonical set of functions for solving Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare for combat between two homogeneous forces with power attrition-rate coefficients with "no effect."  Tabulations of these functions, which we call Lanchester-Clifford-Schlafli (or LCS) functions, allow one to study this particular variable-coefficient model almost as easily and thoroughly as Lanchester's  classic constant-coefficient one.  The availability of such tables is pointed out.  We show that our choice of LCS functions allows one to obtain important information (in particular, force-annihilation prediction) without having to spend the time and effort to compute force-level trajectories.  Furthermore, we show from theoretical considerations that our choice is the best for this purpose.  These new theoretical considerations apply in general to Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare and provide guidance for developing other canonical Lanchester functions (i.e. canonical functions for other attrition-rate coefficients).  Moreover, our new LCS functions provide valuable information about various related variable-coefficient models.  Also, we introduce an important transformation of the battle's time scale that not only many times simplifies the force-level equations but also shows that relative fire effectiveness and intensity of combat are the only two weapon-system parameters determining the course of such variable-coefficient Lanchester-type combat. (Author)
Notes: Title from cover.

"June 1977"--Cover.

"NPS-55-77-27"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-39)

"Approved for public release; distribution unlimited"--Cover.

Technical report; 1977.