New results in tactical weapon allocation

Results and concepts for enhancing the tactical utility of existing defensive weapons are reviewed. Attention is directed to the use of high speed information processing, algorithms, and resource allocation techniques to maximize the real-time probability of survival for defenders operating in a dense and highly lethal air-to-air environment. The resultant lethal defense problem is cast in the form of a dynamic combinatorial optimization problem amenable to solution by various means. Results, computational experience, implications, and recommendations for future applied research are offered.