Optimal Time-sequential Fire Support Strategies

The optimal time-sequential distribution of supporting fire against enemy ground units in combat against attacking friendly units is studied. Lanchester type models of warfare are combined with optimal control theory in this investigation. The optimal time-sequential fire-support policy is characterized for a specific problem. Although complete details for the determination of the optimal policy are not given, it is conjectured, on the basis of the theorems which were proved, that for this problem the optimal policy is to always concentrate all supporting fire on the same enemy unit until supporting fire must be lifted.