Warfare Analysis

Core Capabilities

Requirements Analysis
Analytically deriving the needed capabilities (how good is enough) in a particular area based on an evaluation of such key factors as expected operational context and relevant metrics of success

Mission Needs Assessment
Analytically evaluating current capabilities or an opportunity to provide new capabilities (or enhance existing capabilities) through the use of technologies

Threat Analysis
Characterizing and evaluating the potential threats in a particular domain based on a variety of source materials, ranging from approved intelligence information to open literature information on technology developments

Operational Context Development
Defining a problem set relevant to a particular area at various levels, including potentially campaign scenarios, operational situations, and tactical/engagement situations

CONOPS Development
Developing an operational concept of operations that broadly reflects a commander's assumptions or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations

Capability Assessment
Analytically estimating the overall ability to accomplish a current or future mission or set of missions in the intended operational settings (including threats and environments) based on equipment readiness, operator proficiency, planned or potential organization/doctrine/tactics, and other key factors

Analyses of Alternatives
Quantitatively evaluating the operational effectiveness, operational suitability, and estimated costs of alternative systems (or sets of systems) to meet an intended set of mission capabilities (including sensitivity analyses for key assumptions/variables)

Analysis of Advanced Concepts
Analytically assessing the potential military payoff/value-added of innovative operational/technology concepts, including identification of key performance/cost/risk factors, enabling technologies, viable concepts of employment, and issues related to operational suitability

Exercise Development and Evaluation
Developing and helping to execute an exercise plan that includes the needed employment of assets and data collection techniques to satisfy the stated objectives of the exercise

Affordability and Risk Analysis
Quantitatively assessing the affordability and risk associated with advanced concepts within a given intended operational context (including the potential impact on affordability and technical risk of enhancing key performance attributes)

Modeling and Simulation (M&S)
Adapting and applying models and simulations to a variety of applications (types of analyses and domains) and, if needed, developing new models and simulations for new domains not previously analyzed/quantified; performing verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) of models and simulations; developing interoperable simulation federations

Force Structure Analysis
Quantitatively evaluating the operational effectiveness, operational suitability, and estimated costs of alternative force structures to meet an intended set of mission capabilities, including various cost versus effectiveness trade-offs/sensitivities

Vision and Roadmap Development
Developing a vision for how a system/force needs to operate in a future operational context based on certain guidelines (e.g., related to intended transformation) and developing time-phased technical approaches that is consistent with that vision

Investment Strategy ("The Way Ahead") Development
Translating a vision/roadmap for a particular system/force into alternative investment strategies (RDTEN, Procurement) for consideration by affected sponsors, based on quantified information related to operational effectiveness and estimated costs

Alternative Futures Identification/Forecasting
Forecasting alternative futures in particular domains, including potential implications to affected sponsors to assist them in their vision/roadmap/investment strategy developments

Strategic Assessments/Analyses
Conducting/facilitating/participating in various efforts designed to influence high-level policy in particular domains (e.g., high-level panels formed at the request of affected sponsors)

Capabilities Summary

Currently, more then 100 staff members are working on Warfare Analysis programs. About 75% of the professional staff hold advanced degrees. A significant portion of the staff offer many decades of military experience covering all the services and nearly all the disciplines within each service.

Warfare Analysis staff have education, skills, experience, and expertise in one or more of the following disciplines:

Warfare Analysis provides liaison officers and scientific advisors to a number of military commands, permanent field sites, and offices intended to better support our sponsors in DoD and other government organizations.