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Understanding the potential synergies between computer simulation and wargaming
Based on the insights of experts in both domains, Simulation and Wargaming comprehensively explores the intersection between computer simulation and wargaming. This book shows how the practice of wargaming can be augmented and provide more detail-oriented insights using computer simulation, particularly as the complexity of military operations and the need for computational decision aids increases.
The distinguished authors have hit upon two practical areas that have tremendous applications to share with one another but do not seem to be aware of that fact. The book includes insights into:
* The application of the data-driven speed inherent to computer simulation to wargames
* The application of the insight and analysis gained from wargames to computer simulation
* The areas of concern raised by the combination of these two disparate yet related fields
* New research and application opportunities emerging from the intersection
Addressing professionals in the wargaming, modeling, and simulation industries, as well as decision makers and organizational leaders involved with wargaming and simulation, Simulation and Wargaming offers a multifaceted and insightful read and provides the foundation for future interdisciplinary progress in both domains.
List of contents
Foreword xv
Preface xxiii
List of Contributors xxv
Author Biography xxix
Prologue xli
Part I Introduction 1
1 An Introduction to Wargaming and Modeling and Simulation 3
Jeffrey Appleget
Introduction 3
Terminology 3
An Abbreviated History of Wargames and Simulations 5
Wargames and Computer-Based Combat Simulations: From the Cold War to Today 6
Wargames Today 10
Simulations Today 13
Introduction 13
Simulation Types 13
Aggregate Simulations 13
Entity Simulations 14
Simulations and Prediction 14
Standard Assumptions 14
Data 15
Simulating the Reality of Combat 16
The Capability and Capacity of Modern Computing to Represent Combat 16
Finite Size 17
Number of Pieces/Entities 17
Terrain 18
Rules 18
Movement 18
Attack 19
Adjudication 19
Victory Conditions 19
Summary 20
Campaign
Analysis 20
Conclusion 21
Part II Historical Context 23
2 A School for War - A Brief History of the Prussian Kriegsspiel 25
Jorit Wintjes
Introduction 25
Kriegsspiel Prehistory 29
A School for War - the Prussian Kriegsspiel 36
The Prussian Kriegsspiel 1824/28 - 1862 42
The Golden Age - 1862 to c. 1875 46
The Changing Kriegsspiel - c. 1875 to 1914 50
Kriegsspiel Beyond Borders - 1871 to 1914 54
Conclusion 59
3 Using Combat Models for Wargaming 65
Joseph M. Saur
The Nature of Combat Models 67
Europe's Plan to Simulate the Entire Planet 77
China Exclusive: China's "Magic Cube" Computer Unlocks the Future 77
A Model to Predict War 78
Afghanistan Stability/COIN Dynamics - Security 79
The Nature of Wargames 81
The Players - Who Might Be Involved? 85
The CRT - How Do We Adjudicate Political, Economic, Information and Other Non-Kinetic Actions? How DO WE ADJUDICATE KINETIC INTERACTIONS (Which, in This Case, We Hope Do Not Occur!)? 86
Organizational Behaviors 88
Issue in Wargames (and Combat Models) 89
Yyyyn 90
Part III Wargaming and Operations Research 91
4 An Analysis-Centric View of Wargaming, Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis 93
Paul K. Davis
Background and Structure 93
Relationships, Definitions, and Distinctions 94
Different Purposes for Wargaming 94
Backdrop 94
A Common Critique of M&S 94
Humans and M&S 98
Distinctions 98
A Model-Game-Model Paradigm 100
The Core Idea 100
Can Human Gaming Truly Serve as "Testing"? 101
Case Study: Deterrence and Stability on the Korean Peninsula 103
Background 103
Model Building 104
Ideal Methods and Practical Expedients 104
Modernizing the Escalation Ladder 106
Cognitive Decision Models 108
Top-Level Structure 109
Lower Level Structure 109
Designing and Executing a Human Game 111
Reflections and Conclusions 114
Implications for Simulation 117
5 Wargaming, Automation, and Military Experimentation to Quantitatively and Qualitatively Inform Decision-Making 123
Jan Hodicky and Alejandro Hernandez
Introduction 123
Military Methods to Knowledge Discovery 124
Technology: Knowledge Enablers 126
Wargaming Automation Challenges in M&S Perspective 128
Warg
About the author
Charles Turnitsa, PhD, is the head of the Computer Engineering program for Regent University. He has been a wargamer for over 40 years, and continues to do professional research in areas such as wargaming, data interoperability, and modeling and simulation.
Curtis Blais, PhD, is a member of the research faculty in the Naval Postgraduate School's Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) Institute. He has over 47 years of experience in modeling and simulation development, application, and education, and actively contributes to development of international standards in modeling and simulation.
Andreas Tolk, PhD, is Chief Scientist for Complex Systems Modeling at the MITRE Corporation, His contributions have been recognized by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) as well as the Society for Modeling and Simulation (SCS) with distinguished contribution awards. He is a senior member of IEEE and ACM and a Fellow of SCS.
Summary
Understanding the potential synergies between computer simulation and wargaming
Based on the insights of experts in both domains, Simulation and Wargaming comprehensively explores the intersection between computer simulation and wargaming. This book shows how the practice of wargaming can be augmented and provide more detail-oriented insights using computer simulation, particularly as the complexity of military operations and the need for computational decision aids increases.
The distinguished authors have hit upon two practical areas that have tremendous applications to share with one another but do not seem to be aware of that fact. The book includes insights into:
* The application of the data-driven speed inherent to computer simulation to wargames
* The application of the insight and analysis gained from wargames to computer simulation
* The areas of concern raised by the combination of these two disparate yet related fields
* New research and application opportunities emerging from the intersection
Addressing professionals in the wargaming, modeling, and simulation industries, as well as decision makers and organizational leaders involved with wargaming and simulation, Simulation and Wargaming offers a multifaceted and insightful read and provides the foundation for future interdisciplinary progress in both domains.