ANALYSIS OF EXISTING METHODS FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SURFACE SHIPS IN COMBAT OPERATIONS TO DESTROY ENEMY SURFACE SHIPS

Abstract

The article analyzes the existing methods for assessing the effectiveness of surface ships’ combat operations to destroy enemy surface ships in the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely, the widely known among naval specialists methodology of Matviychuk F.O. and the temporary methodology for calculations in planning operations (combat operations) using cruise missiles, developed by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2020. However, the above-mentioned methods allow to obtain the results of the study of the constituent stages of naval combat statically (or discretely), but do not consider its development in dynamics and do not fully take into account the probabilistic nature of events. To simplify and make these methods and individual mathematical calculations closer to the process of combat confrontation in a real sea battle, several restrictions are imposed on them, that is, the limits of application are indicated in the form of hypotheses and assumptions. The article considers modern methods used by the armed forces of NATO member countries: the Relative Combat Power Analysis method, the model Correlation of Forces and the distribution of troops by tasks. It was noted that the processes inherent in the models relate to individual specific operational situations, so they cannot give a detailed and universal picture of the need for forces. These processes are helpful in narrowly defined contexts, mainly for planning land operations. The study determines that the Planning Considerations Method RCPA is used in planning of maritime operations in NATO countries. It is found that using this method, less attention is focused on mathematical ratios of forces and more on the subjective comparison of friendly and hostile tangible and intangible factors, identifying relevant information that must be considered when action plans will be being developed.