A carrier battle group is operating in an area where it is subject to attack by enemy aircraft. It is anticipated that air raids will occur in large waves. The uncertain time between raids is available for the replenishment of supplies. We consider the problem of how best to schedule ammunition replenishment during this period. The theory of Gittins indices provides the technical background to the development of a range of models which yield a hierarchy of index‐based heuristics for replenishment. One such heuristic is assessed computationally in a more realistic scenario than is explicitly allowed for by the models.

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words.)A high-level, low-resolution (HLLR) stochastic model for evaluating the benefits of a Common Relevant Operational Picture (CROP) is described. The model focuses on the sensor-to-shooter information needed by elements of a joint force to engage time critical Targets. The model includes realistic random delays or latency caused by congestion or system unreliability, random times until Target detection and loss, and a probabilistic representation of the Services' overall capability to detect, classify and shoot at a varying set of different Target types. The model results support the following conclusions. CROP can increase the number of time-critical Targets killed, sometimes considerably; CROP can decrease the mean and variance of the number of weapons expended to kill Targets; the benefits of CROP can be degraded if the CROP process requires more time from Target detection until weapon arrival at the Target. SUBJECT TERMScommon relevant operational picture; time-critical targeting; infinite server queue; decoys and false targets; error-susceptible classification; data fusion NUMBER OF PAGES 50 PRICE CODE SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF REPORT Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF ABSTRACT Unclassified LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT CROPDUSTER:A MODEL FOR EVALUATING THE "COMMON RELEVANT OPERATIONAL PICTURE (CROP)" C C R R O O P P D D U U S S T T E E R R