A cordon and search model and simulation using timed, stochastic, colored petri nets for robust decision-making

In the current military operating environment, cordon and search missions (village searches) are conducted daily. It is expected that this mission profile will not change in the near future. Despite the frequency of this mission type, the planning tools available to military leaders are rudimentary and tedious. Planners must rely on over-simplified data tables and personal experience when planning a cordon and search. Computer tools to facilitate faster, more accurate plans do not yet exist. This paper proposes a timed, stochastic Petri Net model for cordon and search missions that can provide planners valuable mission insight using Monte Carlo simulation methods. This model can be used by military leaders to make robust decisions during mission planning and thus improve the quality of the final plan.