Modeling & simulation's role as a service to military and homeland security decision makers

Abstract

Scientists, engineers, and analysts have played a key role in providing decision support to military and homeland security decision makers since World War II. This keynote addresses the role of modeling and simulation in providing this critical service to national leaders. It highlights the use of discrete event, agent-based, and continuous simulation, as well as system dynamics to support decision making in a number of areas such as military transportation planning, infectious disease modeling, airport security, and military force structure planning. The address culminates by describing the role that modeling and simulation played in supporting the recently negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), intended to ensure the peaceful use of Iran's nuclear program.