An Antisubmarine Warfare Model for Convoy Protection

Abstract

A scheme for using helicopters to protect convoys of merchant ships against attack by enemy submarines has been modeled to study the equipment characteristics and tactics. The model handles multiple convoys, helicopters, enemy submarines, and false targets and deals with the detailed interactions and geometric relationships among them. The model contains a complete situation: convoys leave port at intervals to cross an ocean area; submarines leave their port and navigate to a patrol area; sonar detections are made, weapons are launched, survivors continue in the model until port is reached or supplies run low; etc. The conflict can continue for any number of convoy crossings as predetermined by the modeler.