electronic warfare self-protection of battlefield helicopters - Aaltodoc

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expressed in Hughes-Wilson [Hug99 p.196] and Hoeber [Hoe81 p.205]. More
generally Platt [Pla64] affirms: “Many—perhaps most—of the great issues of science
are qualitative, not quantitative, even in physics and chemistry. Equations and
measurements are useful when and only when they are related to proof; but proof or
disproof comes first and is in fact strongest when it is absolutely convincing without
quantitative measurement”.
2.3.2 Modeling vs. simulation
A part of the systems school sees qualitative modeling as a satisfactory way to
approach problems; while others see (quantitative) simulation necessary to achieve
the rigorousness of scientific work. One view is that modeling can be useful in its
own right and that quantification may be unwise if it is pushed beyond reasonable
limits [Coy00a]. A more restraining view on modeling warns of the possibility that
the attractiveness of qualitative approaches will lead toward their overuse; but at the
same time writer accepts their increasing use: “It is clear that the growing trend to
use qualitative mapping without quantitative modeling to back up the analyses is
here to stay” [Ric99]. Meredith [Mer67 p.225] points to the difference between static
and dynamic phenomena: “(…) the static phenomenon is simply an effect (….) The
dynamic phenomenon, on the other hand, is actively producing changes and is
therefore a cause” (original emphasis). According to this view dynamic simulation
therefore should provide more information than static models. A problem arises with
simulation if no quantitative data exist. It has been claimed that qualitative factors
such as motivation, commitment, confidence, and perceptions can be included in
simulation models [Cau02]. Claims on successful quantification of such factors as
morale, shock and surprise in military modeling are called “absurd” by its opponents
[Coy00a]. 32 For the present work the following assertion will function as a guideline:
“Even when there is too little information to reach firm conclusions from a
simulation model, it is still not more misleading to simulate than to map without
simulation” (original emphasis) [Hom01]. 33
2.3.3 Alternatives for further study
It is claimed that the debate within the OR community on various problem solving
methods is rooted on which method is best rather than the best use of methods
[Flo95]. In the present work methodological issues are involved only in one objective
out of four (cf. page 22). Intricacies of relative OR methodologies should therefore
not be given superiority over EWSP problems. The undertaking of identifying
suitable methodologies is therefore limited to two tasks: First, identifying methods
that are best from the EWSP perspective and, second, identifying how to make best
use of the method(s). Several methods were selected for a more thorough evaluation
production was minimal. The real influences are revealed only by analyzing direct and indirect effects,
as well as first-order and second-order consequences. [Roc91]
32 Despite this statement the same author, in a paper titled A system dynamics model of aircraft
carrier survivability [Coy92], circumvents the problem of unquantifiable variables by naming them
“factor X” and “factor Y” and investigating the behavior of the model for different values of these
variables.
33 The verbs “to map” and “to model” are used interchangeably in the present work.