Decision Support Systems:

Modern information systems on the

modern battlefield

Steven P. Frysinger, Ph.D.Integrated Science and Technology and

Computer Science Departments

What is a Decision Support System?

• A DSS integrates a variety of elements to support decision making – Data– Models– Analytical tools

What is a Decision Support System?

• A DSS integrates a variety of elements to support decision making – Data, e.g.

• Location and nature of assets

• Location and nature of threats

– Models– Analytical tools

What is a Decision Support System?

• A DSS integrates a variety of elements to support decision making – Data– Models, e.g.

• Airborne plume dispersion models

• Radio communication models

– Analytical tools

What is a Decision Support System?

• A DSS integrates a variety of elements to support decision making – Data– Models– Analytical tools, e.g.

• Monte Carlo Simulation• Geographical Information Systems• Expert Systems• Optimization• Visualization and audification

Focused Design

• A DSS is focused on– a particular decision problem– a particular decision maker

• One size does not fit all!

DSS in National Defense

• Computer-supported DSS has been used in the defense arena for decades, e.g.– Fire control systems– RADAR/Sonar detection systems

• Battlefield applications have become appropriate as the availability of highly portable and reliable computing increases

Battlefield Applications

• Risk assessment– e.g., weapon choice to minimize collateral damage

• Asset management– e.g. optimal placement of depots

• Intelligence gathering– e.g. data worth analysis

Three Specific Contributors to DSS

• Data mining – Dr. Julia Couto

• Artificial Intelligence – Dr. Joseph Marchal

• Spatial data analysis – Dr. Michael Deaton