Project AIR FORCE Modeling Capabilities for Support of Combat Operations in Denied Environments
Download
Download eBook for Free
| Format | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF file | 3.4 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
Purchase
Purchase Print Copy
| Format | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add to Cart | Paperback104 pages | $34.95 | $27.96 20% Web Discount |
Research Questions
- How does dispersed basing affect combat support resource requirements, and how many operating locations can be supported?
- Where should combat support resources be stored and maintained to enable rapid deployment and employment of forces in the Pacific theater?
- How vulnerable are U.S. air bases in denied environments, given current and planned capabilities?
- What is the right mix and level of investment in active and passive defense materiel solutions to ensure resilience against a range of adversary kinetic attack strategies?
This report documents the modeling framework Project AIR FORCE (PAF) developed to analyze the support of combat operations in a denied environment. The models help illuminate combat support requirements, basing posture vulnerabilities, operational resilience, and capability trade-offs. Specifically, the modeling framework addresses four questions: (1) How does dispersed basing affect combat support resource requirements, and how many operating locations can be supported? (2) Where should combat support resources be stored and maintained to enable rapid deployment and employment of forces in the Pacific theater? (3) How vulnerable are U.S. air bases in denied environments, given current and planned capabilities? (4) What is the right mix and level of investment in active and passive defense materiel solutions to ensure resilience against a range of adversary kinetic attack strategies? The PAF framework consists of four models. The Strategic Tool for the Analysis of Required Transportation (START) estimates manpower and equipment requirements to support a given basing posture in a combat scenario. The RAND Overseas Basing Optimization Tool (ROBOT) identifies the least-cost allocation of war reserve materiel. The Theater Air Base Vulnerability Assessment Model (TAB-VAM) analyzes trade-offs among basing strategies, determines the effect of adversary attacks on sortie generation, and examines the effectiveness of threat mitigation options. The Theater Air Base Resiliency Optimization Model (TAB-ROM) finds the most cost-effective way to improve sortie generation against a range of enemy attack strategies for a given scenario. Together these models can inform decisions concerning force posture, cost-asymmetric investments, and theater-shaping strategies in denied environments.
Key Findings
Project AIR FORCE's Modeling Framework Can Help Evaluate Support of Combat Operations in Denied Environments
- The Strategic Tool for the Analysis of Required Transportation (START) estimates manpower and equipment requirements to support a given basing posture in a combat scenario.
- The RAND Overseas Basing Optimization Tool (ROBOT) identifies the least-cost allocation of war reserve materiel.
- The Theater Air Base Vulnerability Assessment Model (TAB-VAM) analyzes trade-offs among basing strategies, determines the effect of adversary attacks on sortie generation, and examines the effectiveness of threat mitigation options.
- The Theater Air Base Resiliency Optimization Model (TAB-ROM) finds the most cost-effective way to improve sortie generation against a range of enemy attack strategies for a given scenario.
- Together these models can inform decisions concerning force posture, cost-asymmetric investments, and theater-shaping strategies in denied environments.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Strategic Tool for the Analysis of Required Transportation
Chapter Three
RAND Overseas Basing Optimization Tool
Chapter Four
Theater Air Base Vulnerability Assessment Model
Chapter Five
Theater Air Base Resiliency Optimization Model
Chapter Six
Conclusion
Appendix
Notional Scenario
Research conducted by
This report was sponsored by AF/A4/7 and AF/A3/5, by Air Force Materiel Command and the Policy branch of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and by the Pacific Air Forces, and was conducted within the Resource Management Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.
Permission is given to duplicate this electronic document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Copies may not be duplicated for commercial purposes. Unauthorized posting of RAND PDFs to a non-RAND Web site is prohibited. RAND PDFs are protected under copyright law. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit the RAND Permissions page.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.