AURA Applications

AURA (Army Unit Readiness/Sustainability Assessor) is a Monte Carlo event simulation model that permits decisionmakers to examine the implications of alternative resource levels on the output of combined arms units, and to assess a broad range of theater-wide resource allocation policies. This report describes AURA applications to the mission-generation capabilities of combined arms units. Among the applications described are (1) measurement of the readiness and sustainability of a combined arms brigade supported by two artillery battalions; (2) investigation of the potential of increased stocks of certain Direct Exchange (DX) items to increase sustainability; and (3) examination of the effects of augmenting unit prescribed load lists with certain mandatory spares. Among the conclusions supported by these AURA simulations are: ammunition material handling equipment at the Division Support Command needs to be increased; tank sustainability can be increased by having higher stocks of certain DX items; and under present stockage policies, cannibalization will be an important source of spares in wartime. Other RAND documents on AURA include RAND/R-2769-MRAL, RAND/N-1460-AF, RAND/N-1987-MRAL, and RAND/N-1988-MRAL.