Multi-stage attack weapon target allocation method based on defense area analysis

For better reflecting the interactive defense between targets in practical combat scenarios, the basic weapon-target allocation (WTA) framework needs to be improved. A multi-stage attack WTA method is proposed. First, a defense area analysis is presented according to the targets' positions and the radii of the defense areas to analyze the interactive coverage and protection between targets' defense areas. Second, with the coverage status and coverage layer number, a multi-stage attack planning method is proposed and the multi-stage attack objective function model is established. Simulation is conducted with interactive defense combat scenarios, the traditional WTA method and the multi-stage WTA method are compared, and the objective function model is validated with the Monte-Carlo method. The results suggest that if the combat scenario involves interactive coverage of targets' defense areas, it is imperative to analyze the defense areas and apply the multi-stage attack method to weakening the target defense progressively for better combat effectiveness.