Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / This thesis examines the reliance on air power for fire support by light forces and whether other fire support assets could perform these missions better. By studying the historical evolution of fire support, air power and small wars doctrine, patterns emerge in how these developments interrelate. These patterns have led to a system that does not take advantage of some of the capabilities of other fire support assets, mainly artillery and mortars. The case of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan, highlights how light forces have come to depend on airpower. Could other forms of fire support have provided coverage that would have been more effective than the air support received? Light forces need to be aware that they have more choices for fire support than calling in air strikes and that artillery and mortars provide capabilities that air power cannot currently duplicate. Afghanistan demonstrated that artillery remains relevant. In a very permissive environment with few competing missions, there were times when air power could not provide the needed fire support to the ground maneuver forces. / Major, United States Army

Thesis (M.S. in Defense Analysis)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Hy S. Rothstein, David C. Tucker. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-75). Also available online.

No description available.

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (M.S. in Computer Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2002. / Thesis advisor(s): Rudolph Darken, Joseph Sullivan. Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-113). Also available online.

The First World War placed enormous pressures on the home fronts of all belligerents as they sought to provide the unprecedented levels of armaments required by twentieth century warfare. France proved to be both militarily and industrially unprepared for the task and was almost defeated in the early months of the war as the army was severely constrained by shortages of shells and artillery. However, by 1918 French industry was able to produce more materiel than Britain while also supplying the arriving American Expeditionary Force. This thesis explores how this tremendous feat was achieved by examining the actions and interests of the high command, the government and the industrialists. Throughout the war, the specific needs of the French commanders would fluctuate, but the desire for quantity and speed of delivery was constant, often at the expense of quality. The Ministry of War attempted to appease both the army and the industrialists in order to mobilise industry rapidly to meet the requirements of the front line. Despite the apparent success of its efforts, the government’s response to the pressures of war was ad hoc and reactionary. It had little time to formulate a cohesive plan, nor could it ignore the short-term necessities in favour of a longer-term strategy. Thus it created and faced a number of problems that complicated the mobilisation process, which the government sought to resolve through an increasing reliance on bureaucracy and state intervention in a previously liberal economy. Ultimately, as output expanded, constraints on the army eased, and industry was able to supply armaments in both high quality and large quantities, facilitating an operational approach that became ever more reliant on materiel as manpower resources dwindled. French efforts thus demonstrated the importance of economic management in wartime and greatly influenced post-1918 planning for future wars.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / This thesis presents a Markov model, which, given an indirect fire weapon system's parameters, yields measures of the weapon's effectiveness in providing fire support to a maneuver element. These parameters may be determined for a variety of different scenarios. Any indirect fire weapon system may be a candidate for evaluation. This model may be used in comparing alternative weapon systems for the role of direct support of a Marine Corps infantry battalion. The issue of light gun vs. heavy gun was the impetus for the study. The thesis also provides insight into the tactic of frequently moving an indirect fire weapon to avoid enemy detection, and possible subsequent attack. / http://archive.org/details/markovmodelforme00guzi / Captain, United States Marine Corps

The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are developing guided munitions for cannon artillery. These munitions provide a significant increase in range and accuracy, but the tactics, techniques, and procedures used to employ them have yet to be developed. This study is intended to assist with that development by providing a method to determine when to use these munitions rather than conventional munitions in order to achieve a tactical-level commander's desired objectives. A combination of multi-attribute utility theory and simulation are used to determine the best ammunition (precision or conventional) to fire under certain battlefield conditions. The simulation, developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, provides results on the full range of artillery effects by varying the different battlefield conditions that have the greatest effect on the accuracy of artillery. The results of simulated artillery fire missions are studied to determine the combination of battlefield conditions that produce the best results for each type of ammunition. A decision model is used to account for a commander's expected preferences based on tactical considerations. The results vary greatly depending on the battlefield conditions and the commander's preferences. One type of projectile does not clearly dominate the other.

From a new perspective, this paper will examine the artillery and the pike role in the period 1700-1712 and the battalion´s battle formation in the Caroline combat tactics. Carolinian battle tactics were practiced during the period 1700-1721. The results from my study will be compared to existing research opinion regarding the selected subject areas, if the result confirms the thesis or question the existing research opinion. The source material used consists of eyewitness accounts from the period consisting of diaries, memoir, biography, general muster rolls and historical literature covering the subject. The analysis shows that the Caroline artillery took part in 12 battles during the period of 1700-1712. The analysis also shows that there was a close working between the infantry and artillery in attacks. This result contradicts the existing facility research mixture view that artillery was subordinate other weaponry because it prevented the Caroline attack tempo. In the analysis of the pike role in Caroline combat tactics, reveals nothing that confirms existing research opinion that the pike was an offensive melee weapon. Instead it seems that the pikes role was a support weapon with a defensive focus. The analysis of the battalion`s battle formation shows that the Caroline battalion battle formation did not follow the regulations of the battle formation. According to the existing research the battalion´s battle formation was as required by regulations. But according to the general muster rolls, there are differences between the battalions when it comes to the relationship of forces. So the Caroline battalion battle formation could not have been strictly required by regulations.

No description available.