This introduction to three special issues of Naval Research Logistics places military Operational Research into a historical and a practical context. The authors discuss the material in the issues, and explain how it is related to industrial economic analysis. Seven themes are identified for military O.R.: (1) Theatre-level modelling, (2) mathematical models of conflict, (3) historical analysis, (4) weapon systems analysis, (5) command, control, communications and intelligence, (6) cost-effectiveness analysis, (7) modelling in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
