EFFECTIVE USAGE OF FIXED AMOUNT OF SCATTERABLE MINES ON THE INFANTRY BATTLEFIELD

The basic mathematical tools are developed to determine the optimum emplacement of limited numbers of scatterable mines on the infantry battlefield. A deterministic model is developed for heterogeneous infantry battalion level battle using APL version 7.0. The Helmbold-type combat equation is applied to claculate comparative casulties, and range dependency is also considered to establish the correlation between attrition rate coefficients and the distance of opposing forces, Based on this deterministic model the effective range for employment of scatterable mines is determined. Because mines are primarily effective when employed in conjunction with direct fire weapons, it is inferred that minefield are best employed when used within the maximum effective range of infantry weapons systems such as the M16Al rifle. The model developed verifies this fact.