A GAME THEORETIC ANALYSIS OF THE CONVOY-ASW PROBLEM

The problem of allocation of ASW forces assigned to an oceanic convoy in a submarine warfare environment is postulated as a two-person game with the payoff function being based on the formula of random search. The opponents in the game are a convoy system and a submarine system. A submarine is given the option of attacking the convoy system either from afar with surface-launched missiles or near with torpedoes. The convoy system is defended by units capable of destroying submarines exercising either of their options. The optimal allocation of forces for both sides is shown to be a set of pure strategies which are dependent on the parameters of the model.