Counterobstacle Vehicle (COV) Utility Study. Volume 1

The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the utility of a single, multi-purpose counterobstacle system on the future battlefield. The study is accomplished by conducting a time-phased analysis of the interrelationship between counterobstacle equipment, missions, and threats over a 30 year period, extending from 20 years ago to 10 years in the future (1965-1995). The analysis involved isolating the counterobstacle mission, by identifying, in priority, the functions performed in accomplishing that mission. A data base was then established listing US Counterobstacle equipment developed and used over the time period, together with the opposing threat capability over the same period. These capabilities were then compared in light of the counterobstacle mission. Wargame analysis was used to show the utility of the counterobstacle system over the timeframe, and to evaluate the utility of a single, multicapable system, called a counterobstacle vehicle (COV) for the future. The findings of the study include the following: - The COV is able to reduce the extra losses that accrue to an attacker from a minefield by one-third. - The COV can improve the chance of successful mission accomplishment of an attacking force by ten percent. Keywords: Counterobstacle vehicle, Effectiveness evaluation, Human factors evaluation.