IBCT Simulations

The IBCT has been extensively wargamed both versions of the IBCT using two commercially available simulations: BCT Brigade Combat Team and TacOps. In order to gauge the effectiveness of the IBCT, we decided to determine if it could effectively defeat a motorized rifle regiment consisting of BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and T-80 tanks at the National Training Center. This would likely be the most difficult task the IBCT would have to accomplish, and if it can prevail against this force, less capable forces, all things being equal, should be within its capacity to defeat.

BCT is a platoon level simulation of modern combat produced by ProSim and distributed by Shrapnel Games. Designed by an active army field artillery officer, it is visually based on JANUS, but shares no data or code from that simulation. It is a fairly accurate simulation, but of course is a high fidelity commercial simulation rather than an army constructive or analytical simulation. It offers a database editor that allows the player to modify existing vehicles or build new ones. The developer has fielded an excellent set of digital maps and the simulation is used to augment training at the JRTC.

TacOps is designed by a retired Marine Corps officer and marketed through Battlefront Games. It is similar to BCT, but has a different terrain resolution and is turn based versus continuous times. It is used by the US Army, the US Marines, the Canadian Army, Australian Army, and New Zealand Army as a complimentary training system.

Both systems use similar methods to compute probability of hit, but their probability of kill differs. BCT uses values based on Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System data as used at the NTC, while TacOps uses penetrative ability of various rounds against armor strength. Both simulations adjust for aspect.

Initially, TacOps was used to study the IBCT. In that series of tests, the LAVs used 25mm cannon and other variants. A battalion equipped with LAV-25s was able to defeat a reinforced motorized rifle company in the attack and a motorized rifle regiment/brigade while defending. BCT was not used in the initial series of tests because the weapons systems were not available. Late in the initial tests, BCT did provide the appropriate vehicles, and similar tests were run using that simulation, with generally favorable results.

Since the decision was made to equip the arm the IBCT with vehicles with M2 .50 caliber machine guns and MK 19 40mm grenade launchers, we reran the tests using BCT and its released database editor to model the new versions of the vehicles. Tests were run with LAV and M113 versions of the IBCT. We were hard pressed to defeat an MRR with vehicles armed with the M2 or MK19 and did so only with heavy casualties (approaching 70%). However, when 25mm cannon were substituted for the M2s and MK 19s, the IBCT was able to defeat the MRR with relative ease (usually less than 25% casualties).

Commercial simulations²⁷ have some shortcomings for conducting analytical simulations in that they are balanced to make for an interesting game rather than for true results. BCTs kill values have been modified for this test based on my military experience as an armor officer and based on our experience. BCT provides an excellent opponent, but the enemy courses of action are selected at random and there is no real artificial intelligence behind them To randomize the results for the player, there are multiple courses of action that are chosen for each session at random by the program. The game can also be played against a human opponent, but this was not chosen for this study due to time and scheduling considerations.

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