6. Maneuver control system

The optimal maneuver route model described in [11] represents the basis for optimizing the maneuver between the starting point and the target point of the maneuver. It can be used for dealing with different tactical situations and tasks on the battlefield including the UGV maneuver. One of them is an offensive maneuver performed by military forces and equipment; its technical term is flanking maneuver. The flanking maneuver represents an offensive maneuver of a part of the military unit, in which the detached forces attack on the flank and the rear of the enemy in the firing and tactical cooperation with the units attacking from the frontal direction. It is defined in [21].

One of the most significant benefits of this chapter is the flanking maneuver model, which represents the complement to the TDSS [11] in the form of the Maneuver Control System CZ application program. It is specified by the so-called invisible layer of the cost surface of passability in the form of an impassable (forbidden) area. This impassable area is in the form of a circle with a diameter equal to the distance "d" between the position of a friendly unit and an attacking unit of the enemy, but not more than 1 km. The attacking unit is divided into two independent elements, i.e., a firing group and an assault group. The TDSS suggests the maneuver route of the firing element to the nearest edge of the visibility area of the target enemy, but not more than 1 km from his position. The 1 km distance is specified in the model due to the expected maximum distance of the direct fire by handguns and mounted weapons. The firing group of the unit should be able to hold the enemy under fire at this maximum distance. Then, depending on the terrain, the assault group should be able to bypass this circular distance to the enemy and cover it. In the case of planning the offensive activity at a distance greater than 1 km, the TDSS will plan the movement route of the firing group to the nearest area with the direct visibility of the enemy (see Figure 8). Subsequently, it will plan the maneuver route of the assault group maintaining 1 km of the circular forbidden area. The reason is a real feasibility and success rate of the offensive maneuver in the direction of the enemy at a distance of 1 km or more while the firing group attacks on the identified enemy.

The maximum usability of the flanking maneuver in the TDSS can be considered when dealing with a response to attacking the unit by a weaker enemy, in the case of its inability to leave the attacked area completely (see Figure 9). Such a situation can occur, for example, in the case of multiple injuries of friendly forces or during the movement using combat vehicles. The solution of this situation can provide the enemy with the time, which he will probably use to change his position or to perform a direct attack without a direct pressure on his forces and equipment. The route of the flanking maneuver will be created outside the impassable circle, without including the layer of influence (the maximum effective range) of the target enemy. The reason for not including the target enemy's maximum effective range may be the absence of the fastest and safest route of movement to the area of his occurrence.

response to the attack, the unit had to provide the primary emergency treatment to

The commander of the attacked ALFA unit, using standard means to support decision-making (radio station and map), began to create an overview of the situation at the scene of the incident. He identified the position of the enemy based on the reports from his subordinates. He was well versed in the space distribution of his attacked unit, the attacking enemy, the open space in the shooting direction, the forest vegetation, and the relief of the terrain. The decision-making process to respond to the attack took him approximately 60 seconds. Its result was the approach maneuver of the assault group through a forest area to take up an advantageous fire position and to eliminate the enemy (see Figure 10). Executing the maneuver (428 m long) took 6 minutes and 50 seconds, including destroying the

Using the TDSS and its maneuver control system application, the commander of the attacked BRAVO unit defined the enemy's position and entered the calculation of the flanking maneuver approximately 30 seconds after the attack. Subsequently, the TDSS calculated the cost surface of passability in the area of the attack and proposed the fastest and safest route of the flanking maneuver to the position of the attackers with the use of mathematical algorithm. These calculations did not include visibility and the attackers' weapon range so that the system could plan the route in their position. Approximately 40 seconds after attack, the assault group started the

When comparing both variants of experiment No. 3, a significant difference can be observed in both the speed of orientation and the decision-making process of the

flanking maneuver along the route in the direction of the enemy's position. The route led to the position of the attackers through the forest vegetation passing into the open plain (see Figure 11). At the edge of the forest, the assault group took a hastily prepared firing position and almost immediately started destroying the enemy by fire. Then, it destroyed the enemy and secured his positions. The time to cover the route (369 m long) was calculated by the TDSS for 5 minutes and 3 seconds, which represented the difference of 36 seconds compared to the actual time of BRAVO unit. The delay of the real maneuver was caused by the destruction of the attackers by fire, which preceded the occupation of the target

the injured driver.

position itself.

Figure 10.

95

6.2 Evaluation of experiment No. 3

The movement route of the ALFA group (source: TDSS).

enemy and securing his positions.

Model of the Optimal Maneuver Route DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85566

Figure 8. The planned flanking maneuver route at a distance of more than 1 km (source: own).

Figure 9. The flanking maneuver route in response to the attack (source: own).
