A General Framework and Methodology for Analyzing Weapon Systems Effectiveness

Weapon systems effectiveness depends on many complex, interrelated factors, some of which are tangible, many of which are subjective and not measurable. These factors are often called Measures of Effectiveness (MoEs). However, weapons exist to perform mission-related tasks. As such, they can be characterized by Measures of Performance (MoPs), metrics that are objective and measurable. At the platform level, the MoPs are supported by the individual components from which it is constituted. However, the state of platform components and, hence its MoPs, can change through the course of a mission depending on factors both externally triggered as well as internally generated. After summarizing a taxonomy originally developed to support ballistic live-fire analysis, this paper outlines the development of a formal procedure for mapping the physical performance of components within complex system-of-systems (MoPs) to mission-based, warfighter utility in military operations (MoEs) for weapons systems analysis. This procedure seeks to unify five related approaches: the Vulnerability/Lethality Taxonomy for relating mission utility, system performance, system components, and combat interactions; the DMSO Functional Descriptions of the Mission Space (FDMS, formerly CMMS) within the overall Military Domain Representation Framework (MDRF); the ASD/C3I Operational Architecture (OA) within the overall C4ISR Architecture Framework; the NPS/TMCI Concise Theory of Combat for relating combat processes, combat interactions, and tactical deterrence; and the DMSO/AMSO/NIMA Integrated Natural Environment representation of terrain, oceanography, air and space weather.