A Method to Validate Operational Capability Index Model of Heterogeneous Combat Networks Based on Characteristic Topology Analysis

Abstract

In high-tech informative warfare, the combat system-of-systems which become increasingly functional and complex can be abstracted as heterogeneous combat networks (HCNs). The operational capability index (OCI) formula is an important model to evaluate the performance of HCNs. To prevent the error of accepting wrong conclusions when using OCI model, the correctness and accuracy of the model should be substantiated before making critical decisions. Accordingly, this paper presents an integrated methodology of framework named operational capability index model validation based on characteristic topology analysis (OCVCT) for validating and testing the OCI model. In this framework, a concept named characteristic topology, which conforms to military rules and has the highest operational capability assessment, is put forward to replace the compact model as the validation candidate. To search for characteristic topology efficiently, we propose an improved genetic algorithm (GA) with the key-gene oriented crossover operator which considers the prior knowledge of combat networks and takes advantages of both binary and real encoding methods. A case study proves the effectiveness of OCVCT. Moreover, compared with two state-of-the-art and one classical GAs, the improved GA has superiority in convergence speed and reliability. The idea of OCVCT also has a potential application prospect for various evaluation model validations of combat networks. INDEX TERMS Operational capability index, model validation, characteristic topology, genetic algorithm, heterogeneous combat networks, operational chain.

A Genetic Algorithm-Based Methodology for Analyzing the Characteristics of High-Operational-Capability Combat Networks

“…Specifically, the combat network is heterogeneous and contains at least three types of nodes: sensors, deciders and influencers. The modeling idea of this type of combat networks is widely accepted and used in the follow-up studies [2,3,5,7,8,[15][16][17]. Thus, this work also chooses HCN model that consists of three entities: sensor, decider and influencer.…”

“…Based on this chain, a significant measure called the operational capability index is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic cooperation among combat entities and the coordination of various capabilities [3]. The operational capability index also concentrates on the significant process to generate capability and is an important model to evaluate the capability of HCNs [2]. Useful insights and suggestions for operational process were obtained by analyzing this index [2,3,[7][8][9]22].…”

“…The operational capability index also concentrates on the significant process to generate capability and is an important model to evaluate the capability of HCNs [2]. Useful insights and suggestions for operational process were obtained by analyzing this index [2,3,[7][8][9]22]. Therefore, this paper selects operational capability index to evaluate whether the combat network has a high capability.…”

“…Pv are the capabilities of the combat entities in operational chain lj, and |lj| is the length of this chain. Equation (2) suggests that shorter chains and a large number of alternative chains in an HCN lead to higher operational efficiency [2,3,7]. Therefore, to calculate the operational capability of a combat network, the operational chains contained in this combat network should be search out.…”

“…Heterogenous combat networks (HCNs) have attracted increasing interest in recent years since their study is an effective approach to understand the properties of combat systems [1,2]. The operational capability of a combat network is a critical index to evaluate the performance of HCNs to win a war [3,4].…”