Incorporation of physical fitness in a tactical infantry simulation

Abstract

While physical fitness is generally accepted to influence the outcome on the battlefield, it is currently not incorporated into tactical infantry simulations. Infantry soldiers are modeled with equal physical capabilities representing the average of soldiers on the field. However, humans have varying physical capabilities. This research asked the question ‘Does modeling human physical capabilities have an impact upon the tactical success of operations in a simulation?’ Physical fitness data and rushing times were collected, as rushing is a battlefield task influenced by physical fitness. Two scenarios, a helicopter extraction of a squad and rushing for cover in an attempt to throw a grenade, were implemented in agent-based simulations to demonstrate the effect of rushing speed upon the outcome of a tactical infantry scenario. These scenarios used experimentally obtained rushing velocities as input and were compared to real world scenarios to ensure plausibility. In both simulations rushing speed significantly affected the probability of survival of the individual soldier and the probability of success for the mission (i.e. scenario). Therefore, individual rushing speed should be included as a viable input parameter for infantry simulations, as it can affect the outcome of tactical simulation scenarios.