Computer Simulation in the Acquisition Life Cycle using the WRENCH Simulation Model

Abstract

Computer simulation can be used throughout the defense acquisition life cycle in order to conduct analysis of alternatives and evaluate materiel solutions; assess risk reduction efforts; and aid in development test and evaluation activities. This use of simulation can be an innovative way for transitioning emerging technologies from research and development to defense acquisition programs of record, thereby helping the program successfully cross the valley of death. In this paper, we discuss how WRENCH, a computer simulation software developed at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Modeling Human Behavior, could be used in the acquisition life cycle to test the effectiveness of different proposed or prototype Intermediate Force Capability (IFC) weapons configurations. WRENCH simulates a security force (SF) managing a potentially hostile crowd, enabling the exploration of potential outcomes when the SF has IFC weapons of different configurations available for use. In WRENCH, different scenarios can be tested, providing outputs to inform a variety of metrics of interest. Here we demonstrate using WRENCH to explore the effectiveness of different Active Denial Device configurations on the achievement of mission objectives in a compound defense civil security scenario, discussing an experiment, and analyzing results. We then discuss implications for acquisition and future work.