Vehicle availability during a mounted combat engagement

The number of armoured vehicles reloading ammunition during a combat engagement is dependent on the characteristics of the weapon system. This article presents a case study examining the consequences for vehicle availability of two different potential weapon systems for the Canadian Army’s Light Armoured Vehicle III. Basic statistical models are first employed to determine the number of vehicles reloading. Such predictions constitute merely approximations since they require numerous simplifying assumptions. Consequently, Monte Carlo simulations are used for complementary analyses. Simulating the engagement in a virtual environment provides an opportunity to collect higher fidelity data albeit at much greater expense. A case study is provided using each of these three methods, thus providing a comparison of results and required investment of resources. OR Insight (2010) 23, 172–186. doi:10.1057/ori.2010.8