Quick-response assessment of forward air control and communications using a queueing model and digital simulation

The authors analyze the potential benefits of improved communications equipment used on forward air control aircraft in tactical air-to-ground warfare environments with heavy jamming. This analysis was a quick-response task, part of a larger cost-effectiveness study designed to compare and rank several aircraft modifications in terms of their target kill effectiveness. One modification of particular interest to the sponsor was a communications enhancement to forward air control aircraft, which coordinate the strikes of attack aircraft in the conduct of close air support and battlefield air interdiction operations. The authors developed a queueing model and used digital simulation to analyze the effects of heavy jamming on target kill effectiveness, and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed improvement in communication equipment, which would greatly reduce the need to repeat and verify instructions.