Multilevel simulation of force XXI fire support operations

Rapid advances in technology have greatly enhanced capabilities to acquire and attack targets. We argue that future fire support organizations will have to rapidly expand and collapse to support the increased tempo of 21st century warfare. Expert systems can be used in many places and may, at times, replace some personnel at some levels of the fire support hierarchy. New technology, an uncertain post-Cold War world and a declining force structure have made simulation a critical means for discovering and developing new doctrine. Military fire support channels are hierarchical, paralleling the maneuver units they support. In combat, these command levels operate simultaneously with varying levels of dependence and interaction. A multilevel simulation strategy is necessary to integrate different fire support echelons into the same simulation. This paper discusses how multilevel simulation can support the development of both Joint Vision 2010 and Force XXI fire support doctrine, and how expert systems may be used to facilitate the dynamic expansion and collapse of fire support organizations.