Modelling the Manoeuvres of Ground Reconnaissance Elements in Urban Areas

The urban area is a hallmark of most present-day ground operations. It concentrates up to 85 percent of the population, which may need help and protection, or provide support to the enemy, which must be eliminated. It provides suitable conditions for mounting a defence while offering very limited possibilities to perform offensive manoeuvres on a larger scale. Conducting military operations in a built-up area that is not totally under the control of one’s own forces is very challenging. Commanders find it difficult to keep track of the situation in the area of their unit’s combat task and the immediate vicinity. The enemy’s attack can come from any direction. Freedom of movement with the use of streets, bridges and tunnels can be very quickly and unexpectedly restricted or completely prevented. This article describes the possibilities of using mathematical-algorithmic models and digital terrain and relief models in planning the manoeuvre of units in built-up areas. The case study demonstrates the use of the Manoeuvre Control System CZ in planning the manoeuvres of reconnaissance unmanned ground vehicles in a large village before an attack by one’s own forces. The manoeuvre of a group of autonomously controlled vehicles is planned to reconnoitre the area of approach to the village, the possibilities of entering it, and the conditions of passability through its built-up area to the target object.