We present a generalisation of the classical Lanchester model for directed fire between two combat forces but now employing networks for the manoeuvre of Blue and Red forces, and the pattern of engagement between the two. The model therefore integrat
es fires between dispersed elements, as well as manoeuvre through an internal-to-each-side diffusive interaction. We explain the model with several simple examples, including cases where conservation laws hold. We then apply an optimisation approach where, for a fixed-in-structure adversary, we optimise the internal manoeuvre and external engagement structures where the trade-off between maximising damage on the adversary and minimising own-losses can be examined. In the space of combat outcomes this leads to a sequence of transitions from defeat to stalemate and then to victory for the force with optimised networks. Depending on the trade-off between destruction and self-preservation, the optimised networks develop a number of structures including the appearance of so-called sacrificial nodes, that may be interpreted as feints, manoeuvre hubs, and suppressive fires. We discuss these in light of Manoeuvre Warfare theory.
We consider the Cauchy problem for the Burgers hierarchy with general time dependent coefficients. The closed form for the Greens function of the corresponding linear equation of arbitrary order $N$ is shown to be a sum of generalised hypergeometric
functions. For suitably damped initial conditions we plot the time dependence of the Cauchy problem over a range of $N$ values. For $N=1$, we introduce a spatial forcing term. Using connections between the associated second order linear Schr{o}dinger and Fokker-Planck equations, we give closed form expressions for the corresponding Greens functions of the sinked Bessel process with constant drift. We then apply the Greens function to give time dependent profiles for the corresponding forced Burgers Cauchy problem.
