Modelling a Markov Attrition Process

Abstract

This study proposes another computational approach to solve a stochastic attrition model. The initial contact forces for both sides can be treated as a random variable. The approach is manipulated in a matrix form, and on account of the special form of its infinitesimal generator, some recursive algorithms are derived to compute the intended results. Numerical results to illustrate the differences between the proposed model and the stochastic model with known initial contact forces are presented.T3 order to understand more about the combat' dynamics, several authors such as ~ennings'~, hat^, Weale4, Karmeshu and Jaiswa15. and Jaiswa16 have paid attention to the developing of a stochastic combat model recently. Although the stochastic attrition is better in representing the reality of combat attrition phenomena, it is considerably less convenient to handle and compute.In this study, we pkopose another computational approach to solve the stochastic attrition model. The approach is based upon defining a Markov attrition process and applying the concept of matrix-geometric computational algorithms by ~euts'. Since the stochastic model is manipulated in the matrix form and on account of the special form of its infinitesimal generator, some efficient recursive algorithms can be derived. Numerical results by taking the example from ~a i s w a l~ are presented.