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COSTS AND EFFICIENCY EVALUATION MODEL OF TRAINING METHODS
Martin HUBÁČEK, Vladimír VRÁB
Abstract: This article results from the efforts of the authors to discover an objectified evaluation process of both necessary
costs and costs incurred for training as a means of comparison and evaluation of the efficiency of the training conducted in
the most conventional manner in the field training and of the training of military professionals employing the simulation and
training technologies. The derived model is not finalized and cannot ever be. However, it may significantly influence the
decision-making process about the proportionality of preferences of using individual training methods with regard to the
available source framework. The model does not evaluate the efficiency of the training method itself because that is affected
by available training resources, equipment, ammunition, fuel etc., and especially by the quality of training preparation,
quality of the chief or the head of the training and many other factors.
Keywords: CAX, constructive simulation, training,
1 INTRODUCTION
The Center of Simulation and Training
Technologies (CSTT) has played a significant role in
the preparation of military professionals in the
Czech army for more than eleven years using the
simulation and training technologies. These
technologies represented, mainly at the beginning of
their deployment, a considerably expensive
component in the category of investment costs. In
general, the widespread opinion prevails that
training using simulators is significantly cheaper
than field training using real machinery and
equipment. Literature and other available sources
concerned with training and simulations do not
provide enough evidence for this claim or
instructions for comparing the costs of comparable
field training and training using solely simulation
technologies. One can readily agree with many
conclusions about the benefits of training with
simulation technologies [1] [2] [3] [4], which mainly
apply to:
‒possibility of repeating the same training
session;
‒training staff in safe conditions;
‒saving costs for fuel and ammunition;
‒causing no damage to the environment and
countryside;
‒reduction of the impact on the environment (no
disturbance of everyday life of the population);
‒identifying weaknesses in the decision-making
process.
Even though these benefits are undeniable, and
many of them would also offset any potential
increased costs of training using simulation
technologies because the possible losses of life and
damage to the environment are hard to quantify; it is
appropriate to prepare the methodology for the
future which would serve as the basis for
establishing the costs of comparison of these forms
of training. As stated above, CSTT has provided
training for several years and extended the range of
operations from the primary capability to conduct
primarily combat operations to training units for
missions abroad, training in the deployment of army
units in favor of the Integrated Rescue System (IRS)
and the preparation of specific units such as military
engineers, military police etc.
From a practical perspective, however, CSTT has
no methodology by which it would be possible to
make comparisons between the costs of the training
using simulation technologies and the costs of
similar exercises carried out in the field. The
established methodologies, internal documents and
other related papers address only the issues of the
actual preparation, execution and evaluation of
computer-aided exercise [4] [5] [6]. The model and
the methodology of calculations described below
may be the very first step for the introduction of
exact calculations of the costs of training using
simulation and training technologies as well as the
costs of the "common" field exercises. It would be
possible to clearly confirm the general assumption of
the economic benefits of the training using
simulators and training technologies.
2 EVALUATION MODEL OF THE
TRAINING EFFICIENCY
The use of constructive simulation for members
of staff and commanders training will expand only if
its use is efficient (particularly financially profitable)
when compared with other training methods that the
Czech army employs for preparation of its members
to fulfil their tasks.
There exists no exact methodology for
calculating the costs of a live simulation exercise
(actual exercise under real conditions) or the costs of
constructive and virtual simulations. However, under
certain circumstances, a simplified model may be
created and employed for the comparative analysis.
The basis of the model for calculating the
efficiency (or rather costs) of an exercise stems from
the premise that in an analytic formula for
calculating the costs, identical variables are accepted
that characterize given phenomenon, process and
behavior as a process of constructive, virtual, and
live simulations (training in a real environment). The
relationship for calculating the costs associated with
exercise Ncv can be expressed by the following
equation:
∑
⋅=
i
icv
NkN
(1)
where
Na refers to the costs of machinery employment
during the exercise;
Nb refers to the rental costs of the area for the
exercise;
Nt refers to the costs of technical equipment;
Np refers to the costs of support of the exercise;
Nm refers to the costs of consumed ammunition;
Ns refers to the costs of boarding of the participants
of the exercise;
Nh refers to the costs of accommodation of the
participants of the exercise;
Nu refers to the costs related to maintenance of the
equipment, depreciation;
Nn refers to the costs that have not been specified yet
k is a tolerance coefficient.
The variable Na represents the cost of using all
types of machinery during the exercise (passenger
cars, transport vehicles, trucks, special vehicles,
aircrafts, reconnaissance aircraft etc.). Its value can
be expressed as:
jj
n
jja
claN
⋅⋅
∑
=
=
1
(2)
where
aj refers to the number of pieces of j-th piece of
machinery employed in the exercise,
lj refers to the average kilometrage covered by j-th
piece of machinery during the exercise in [km],
cj refers to the costs of j-th piece of machinery
spending on 1 km ride in [CZK/km].
In the case of the exact kilometrage covered by
given type of machinery, equation 2 can be modified
into such a form in which the product of the number
of pieces of j-th piece of machinery and the average
kilometrage covered by the type of machinery can
be replaced by the actual kilometrage of the piece of
machinery throughout the whole exercise.
This precise calculation can be used for exercises
with real machinery in the field, or else in
performing a similar exercise on virtual simulators
and in constructive simulations with a small degree
of aggregation, where this value can be easily
obtained. With aggregated systems one can
accurately determine the exact distance travelled
only by the whole unit, not by individual pieces of
machinery.
It is also important to point out that in the
aggregate simulation during the conduct of combat
operations, the known data is usually only the depth
of the combat task and not the distance actually
travelled. According to [2], based on the experience
of the real conflicts it is possible to multiply the
depth of the task in offensive operations by the
factor Km, which takes values of 1,4 - 3 depending
on the readiness of defense. Thus the actual
kilometrage may be obtained. CSTT uses the OTB
system or its successor OneSAF for constructive
simulation during the exercises. They both have a
small degree of aggregation so that the actual
kilometrage of individual pieces of machinery may
be gained using the AAR tools.
Live simulation (real exercise in the field) can
take place in areas whose use is a subject to payment
for the rental. Quantifying its value is based on
prices per m2 of j-th area (cj) multiplied by the
overall use of the j-th area (Pj) or the total invoiced
cost for rental may be put into equation 1.
Calculation of Nb can be performed as follows:
j
n
j
jb
cPN
⋅=
∑
=
1
(3)
where
Pj refers to the area of j-th sector used during the
exercise in [m2];
cj refers to the costs of 1 m2 of j-th sector in
[CZK/m2].
In the case of training using virtual or
constructive simulation, the costs for renting space
equal zero. Exercise may in fact take place in any
area. The spatial location of the exercise is possible
in any territory which is mapped in a terrain
database (TDB) or data can be provided from which
the terrain database may be produced for the
simulation. The cost of TDB is not insignificant,
ranging in the hundreds of thousands of crowns,
depending on the area and its details. The costs can
be potentially increased by the cost of collecting
digital geographic data required for the creation of
TDB. Because of possible multiple repetitive use of
given TDB, the potential increased costs are
considerably reduced with each conducted exercise;
unlike with the exercise in real terrain, where it is
necessary that new resources are devoted to every
other exercise again. Conducting exercises on
simulators also allows training in areas that are not
available for traditional training for various reasons
(territory of another state, different climate area,
considerable distance, region with ongoing combat
operations, national park or otherwise valuable
territory etc.). TDBs of these areas can be created
from various data sources (national, allied,
international) [6] [8] [9] or it is feasible to use
contactless methods of data collection for creating
geographic data [10] [11] which ought to be
supplemented by information obtained through
GEOINT, IMINT methods and geographic analysis
[12] [13].
The costs of the use of technical equipment Nt
represent the sum of money to be spent on their
employment during the exercise. The category of
technical resources involves for example chain saws,
power cutters, hydraulic shears, and also generators
that supply them and other equipment with power
(communication equipment, computers etc.). The
following formula constitutes the equation for
calculating the costs of the use of technical
equipment:
i
n
i
it
ctN
⋅=
∑
=
1
(4)
where
ti refers to the time period of using the i-th piece of
technical equipment during the exercise in [h];
ci refers to the costs of using i-th piece of technical
equipment (operating expenses) per 1 hour [CZK/h].
The costs of support of the exercise Np in
equation 1 represent the expected or incurred
expenses necessary to support the exercise. This
category includes fees for hiring auxiliary staff such
as figurants in the exercise, operators of the
simulation systems etc., i.e. persons who are not
trainees, but whose performance is essential for the
conduct of the exercise.
i
n
i
ip
ctN
⋅=
∑
=
1
(5)
where
ti refers to the total time of engagement of i-th
person in the support the exercise in [h],
ci refers to an hourly wage of i-th person in [CZK/h].
The costs of the fees do not include salaries of
permanent staff of the training facilities, operators of
shooting ranges and simulation centers, or members
of other units playing the role of the enemy forces in
the exercises, participating in the high command and
the referee service etc. Salaries of these employees
are paid regardless of the running training.
The funds needed to ensure the effects and
impacts of „firing destruction“ of used ammunition
represent the costs of estimated (or actual)
consumption of ammunition. These costs present
consumption of all types of ammunition for all
weapons deployed in the exercise. In the case of live
training the live ammunition is replaced with blank
and training ammunition. The costs of consumed
ammunition can be expressed as follows:
i
n
i
im
cmN
⋅=
∑
=
1
(6)
where
mi refers to the amount of consumed i-th
ammunition during the given exercise in [pcs];
ci refers to the price of i-th ammunition in
[CZK/pcs].
The costs associated with boarding of participants
of the exercise are included in the formula
calculating the total costs of training, even though
the participants are provided with free catering and
defined extra pay during the training. The unit or
facility that provides food service for participants of
the exercise, nonetheless, always settles the costs.
The calculation of costs associated with catering
of participants of the exercise can be performed as
follows:
dpcpN
n
iiddos
⋅+⋅=
∑
=
)(
1
(7)
where
po refers to number of persons provided with
boarding service during the given exercise [-];
cdd refers to the price of daily diet for the given type
of exercise (occupation) in [CZK];
pi refers to the price of i-th extra pay defined for the
given type of exercise (occupation) in [CZK],
d refers to number of days during the exercise when
the free catering is provided to the participants [-].
Similarly, the costs related to accommodation of
participants of the exercise are covered in the
equation for calculating the total costs of the
exercise; eventhough the participants are generally
provided with free accommodation during the
training (exercises in the field). The accommodation
in the field or in the military facilities is provided for
free; however, it may happen in practice that the
army is not able to provide accommodation free of
charge for the participants of the training. The
resulting costs can be obtained from the following
equation:
dcpN
hoh
⋅⋅=
(8)
where
po refers to the number of persons provided with free
accommodation [-];
ch refers to the price of accommodation per person
per night in [CZK];
d refers to the number of nights of accommodation.
The costs of maintenance of the machinery relate
to the need to bring the vehicles and equipment into
the default condition for their further use. These
costs are generally involved in the item Nu in the
equation 1. In the current state of knowledge, one
cannot create an explicit formula for their
calculation. Based on the real conducted exercises in
the past, it is possible to put the real costs of the
repair and maintenance of the equipment into the
formula, or replace it in the future with the average
expenses spent during the conducted exercises in a
certain period of time.
The costs Nn represent unforeseen, unpredictable
and additional costs that may occur during the
exercise. This category of costs can include costs
dealing with damage in materials, equipment,
civilian property etc. in a direct or indirect
connection with the exercise.
The total costs of the exercise Ncv can be
increased by a factor k (k is the tolerance coefficient
ranging [
1
≥
k
]). The coefficient k is
dimensionless and the value of 1 means that the
exercise is not perceived negatively among the
population that does not participate in the exercise.
Population involved in the exercise is included in the
variable Np (the category of figurants, for instance).
If the population is not tolerant to the exercise (due
to limitations caused to the population etc.), the
value of the coefficient is greater than 1. The upper
limit of the coefficient is not precisely determined
yet and, in general, its value will be competently
estimated.
2.1 APPLICATION OF THE
METHODOLOGY FOR CONSTRUCTIVE
SIMULATION
When using the simulation and training
technologies (especially constructive simulation), it
is possible to use the data used for presenting entities
(models) in the simulator. These data are stated in
the Protocol Data Units (PDU). The total number of
kilometres covered by combat and other vehicles,
amount and the type of ammunition are parameters
that can be quite easily obtained from the simulator.
As all of the objects, effects, movements, and
activities are simulated only, it does not have any
influence on the costs of the exercise. The costs of
the exercise with constructive simulation can be
computed from the equation 1. During the training
with constructive simulation only some of the
expense issues arise:
‒service for data processing (partial
edits in data files);
‒operators of the simulator;
‒consumption of electricity by the
simulator;
‒boarding and diet of the participants
of the training.
The list of the costs connected to the training with
constructive simulation shows that items in the
category “operation and employment of combat and
other vehicles and equipment” and “consumed
ammunition” are not included for the training with
constructive simulation and thus the costs are
reduced in comparison with training in the field. For
the calculation of the expenses it is necessary to be
familiar with the values of the variables to be
inserted into the equations described above. The
empirical data obtained in the course of conducting
exercises using simulation and training technologies
show that employment of the simulation
technologies for training can reach up to 10-25% of
the costs of the training in the field. It is necessary to
state here that this number cannot be seen as
decisive and it is obvious that it cannot be used as an
argument because it is not based on the real data but
only on experience and estimations of the
participants who have taken part in both kinds of
training.
2.2 COMPARISON OF THE COSTS OF
THE TRAINING
In order to compare the costs of the two types of
training – one with constructive simulation and the
other conducted in the field, the exercise of the 73rd
tank battalion under the command of the brigade
headquarters taking place in CSTT in 2010 was
selected. The subject and aim of this CPX was to
launch an attack of a task force on the basis of tank
battalion within the bounds of peacemaking
operation. Although the exercise took place in the
area of fictional states, geographically it was located
in the Military training area of Libavá (MTA) and its
surroundings. The whole operation was divided into
several phases; the two following phases were
simulated:
‒movement from the assembly area
to the FEBA;
‒actual offensive operation divided
into four stages.
Other phases of the operation (securing the
passage for the follow-up echelon brigade and
restoration of the fighting capacity) were not carried
out during this exercise because of the time shortage.
Therefore, when comparing the costs of similar
training in the field, only two initial phases will be
counted.
Currently, it is not possible to calculate and
quantify all the items according to the methodology
described above. For this reason, only the familiar
costs and the costs of each item that can be
computed from available information are stated.
Tab.1 Numbers of persons and vehicles in the exercise
according to the type of chassis
TYPE OF
CHASSIS
TANK
BMP + APC
APC (wheels)
TRUCK (heavy)
LORRY (middle)
PASSENGER
CAR (offroad)
persons
BATALLION 36 35 0 62 19 20 457
HICON 4 26 0 41 6 4 416
OPFOR 15 0 44 42 13 8 638
Table 1 contains numbers of all vehicles in the
exercise summarized according to the type of
chassis. There are of course more types of vehicles
in the operations than those 6 stated in the table. For
the sake of the calculation, more kinds of vehicles
were included in the category of tanks, mainly battle
and recovery tanks, bridge-laying tanks; and in case
of the enemy forces, also the tracked self-propelled
howitzers. Similarly, the category of heavy trucks
assigned to the superordinate unit includes self-
propelled howitzers DANA. All the categories of the
chassis were created identically.
As one can see in the table 2, the total number of
kilometres covered by all vehicles during the first
two phases of the operation is 15 612. When
recalculated to the average consumption during the
movement in terrain and on roads depending on the
type of chassis, the new consumption for the covered
distance represents 18 029 litres of fuel. If the price
of fuel in the time of the exercise reached 33 CZK
per litre, then the overall costs of 18 029 litres is
almost 595 000 CZK. To the contrary, the cost of
fuel consumed during the exercise using the
simulator equals 5 650 CZK. This represents 856
kilometres (i.e. 171 litres of fuel) covered by two
buses and two cars for the transfer to the simulation
centre.
The costs of the flight support can be added to the
costs for the fuel. Four attacks of the combat
aviation took place during the operation. Four
subsonic aircraft L-159 ALCA participated in all of
them. Each of the attacks lasted about one hour
including the time in the staging area. The
information about the costs of a flight hour of this
aircraft could not be obtained from the accessible
sources. Therefore, on the basis of information
obtained [14], the costs were substituted by the costs
of commercial price for a flight hour of the aircraft
L-39C which makes approximately 1 000 000 CZK.
Similarly, the costs of support of the attack
helicopters were set using [15]. For one planned and
three required attacks on the trainees’ side and one
on the enemy side the cost for one flight hour is
600 000 CZK.
Tab.2 Total number of covered kilometres sorted by the
type of chassis in individual phases of operation
operation
phase
task force
TANK
BMP +APC
TRUCK
LORRY
PASS. CAR
movement
battalion
roads 1006 938 1725 534 541
terrain 24 31 41 18 14
attack roads 648 308 547 146 74
terrain 1409 382 93 37 13
movement
HICON
roads 98 743 940 154 94
terrain 13 22 18 2 1
attack roads 25 252 626 163 79
terrain 132 948 65 14 8
movement
OPFOR
roads 16 53 184 16 21
terrain 2 32 47 0 1
attack roads 141 180 452 156 91
terrain 58 1106 65 48 17
Other items that can be quantified and calculated
on the basis of accessible data represent the costs of
boarding and accommodation of the participants of
the training. Despite the fact that the training in the
field did not take place, it is possible to determine
the number of participants based on the number of
active members in the simulator. This number would
be increased by evaluation team, directing staff and
other participants. The total number of these people
is not known and will be neglected in the final part
of the calculation. In the overall number of
participants, which is 1511 (see Tab 1), it would
mean adding only several dozens of people.
Correspondingly, another known element is the
number of all participants in the simulator.
Altogether with the directing staff and incident
group, the number reached 55 persons. The full
boarding service would have been available for the
trainees in the field. Daily diet plus bonus for
training in the field would have come to 105 CZK.
For a five-day training the costs of boarding grows
to 793 275 CZK; in comparison, the travel
compensation with maximum daily food bonuses for
the participants of CAX amounted to only 42 625
CZK. In similar fashion, one can calculate the costs
of accommodation. In neither case is it a direct cost
as the participants sleep in the field conditions
during the field training and, thus, no more costs
arise, except for the costs of potential heating,
treatment of the tents and other supplies. During the
CAX exercise, participants are accommodated in the
barracks and the lodging is paid for from the central
sources. In case of unavailability of the
accommodation or if it is necessary to compensate
for it, the price can be determined based on the price
for commercial accommodation in the barracks [16],
which amounts to 44 000 CZK.
As stated at the beginning of this chapter, the
training took part partially in the area of military
training area and partially outside this area. This can
be conducted in the simulator without any
restrictions. Field training could have not been
conducted in this scale without costs for renting of
the affected areas. Apart from the rent, it would
probably be necessary to settle for the damages
caused during the training on vegetation, roads,
infrastructure and other property. Although it is not
possible to calculate these costs explicitly, one may
assume that they would range from hundreds of
thousands to millions of CZK. On the other hand, it
is possible to calculate the cost of creating the terrain
database of Libavá (60 x 60 km). It is feasible to
find the exact amount of money in the acquisition
documents; with consideration to the price of
individual TDBs, it is practical to substitute it with
the amount of 750 000 CZK. Since this TDB was
put into practice, 31 exercises have been conducted
in this terrain so far. The calculated price for the
database is about 25 000 CZK per training. This
number will be lessened with growing number of
exercises using this TDB.
Participants of the training do not pay for the rent
of the training areas and the equipment either in the
MTA or in CSTT. However, in the case of
involvement of CSTT, it is possible to calculate the
costs of running of the simulation and other
technical equipment. Disregarding depreciation and
potential damage on the equipment, it is the costs of
energies. In this case it is especially electricity; other
energies such as water, heating etc. will be neglected
because the rooms need to be heated whether the
exercise does take place or not. Number of
consumed resources and amount of electricity used
for machines during the whole exercise are stated in
Table 3, assuming maximum running time. With the
price being 4,80 CZK per kWh, the cost of
electricity is 1570 CZK. The price of electricity was
based on the pricelists of suppliers. The real price
depends on the individual provider, tariff rate and
other conditions. The consumption of individual
resources was set based on [17] [18] and [19]. In the
future it will be achievable to measure the exact
consumption of individual pieces of the simulator
and put these figures into the calculation. Part
of technical resources, especially the system C3I and
communications equipment would be situated on the
command post even during the real operation. The
power supplies would be provided from the network
of fighting resources or generators.
When the same running time of tactical simulator
is counted, altogether with the establishment of one
full and two partial command posts for the
exercising battalion, higher levels and enemy forces,
the costs will reach 10 560 CZK. The costs of
operating the generators are determined on the base
of real consumption of generators used in the Czech
army, their number in one location of the command
post of battalion type, and the price of fuel that was
used for calculation of the variable Na.
Tab.3 Consumption of electricity during CAX of tank
battalion
number
of
stations
average
consumption
[W]
number
of
hours
total
consumption
[kWh]
simulation
station 42 170 32 228,5
system C3I 30 30 36 32,4
simulated
radiostation 26 17 36 15,9
dataprojector 7 225 32 50,4
The Np variable determines the cost of support of
the training. In the case of field training, this
includes figurants and other persons supporting and
sustaining the training. During combat operations
such as this, no involvement of figurants and others
into potential events (incidents) are expected. In the
case of the training in CSTT (especially with
constructive simulation systems), the prerequisite is
deployment of operators (attendants) of individual
simulation stations. These operators can be
employed permanently in the simulation center or
hired only for the exercise. In the case of CSTT, the
general practice is to combine both. The amount of
money paid for this support in this exercise was
about 320 000 CZK.
The last item that can be currently quantified is
the cost of consumed ammunition. Prices of
individual pieces of live ammunition used by ground
troops are known thank to willingness of members
of logistics of the Czech army. It is obvious that
blank and training ammunition would be used during
the training as opposed to real combat operations, as
long as the live shooting is not tactically required as
a part of the training. Despite all efforts, it was not
possible to find out the price of training ammunition
apart from small-arms ammunition and the cost of
air guns ammunition. A comparison of the cost of
training and live ammunition in small arms clearly
shows that the price of one training round is
approximately 70% of the price of one live round.
Given the fact that this is not currently confirmed for
ammunition used in combat vehicles, and with
respect to the significantly higher cost of this
ammunition, this assumption cannot be used in the
calculations for the costs of ammunition consumed
during the training. Considering the above-
mentioned fact, the authors took liberty of
simplifying the calculation by the classification of
ammunition into several categories, particularly with
regard to the caliber or type of firing device.
Numbers of rounds fired in each category were then
summarized and the average price of rounds in each
category was selected as the price of ammunition.
This price was multiplied by the coefficient of 0,3 in
the case of barrel guns, and by the coefficient of 0,1
in the case of missiles. The coefficient 0,1 also
expresses the ratio between the prices of live and
training ammunition. Due to this initial phase of
addressing this problem and zero cost of ammunition
in case of CAX training, it is possible to simplify the
calculations. In the future, after obtaining the actual
data, the processes of quantifying the exact costs of
each type of ammunition and determining the
coefficients for the conversion of prices between the
training and live ammunition in the various
categories will be very straightforward based on the
earlier presented formulas and relations. Analytical
tools of constructive simulation allow us to record
every shot and, thus, it is not complicated to obtain
the exact amount of consumed ammunition. The
costs of the consumed ammunition by ground
vehicles reach up to 7 830 000 CZK with regard to
the above described simplification.
Fig. 1 graph of losses after accomplishment of the second
phase of the operation
The cost of maintenance and repair of machinery
is not currently included in the calculations.
Although Picture 1 depicts a graph of losses after
accomplishment of the second phase of operations
between the exercising battalion and the enemy units
in the area of offence, there are no grounds for the
statement that the machinery will be destroyed or
damaged after the exercise. The objective of
exercises using the simulator is to avoid potential
losses of machinery and soldiers. One can readily
claim that nowhere else than on the simulator is it
possible to get the idea of incurred losses occurring
immediately after the release of bad decisions,
wrong plans, surprising moves on the enemy side,
and wilful disobedience of command and other
mistakes. Nevertheless, losses of machinery and
damage on equipment do occur during the training.
No machinery and equipment is trouble-free and one
can assume that some damage may be caused due to
the amount of engaged machinery as certain defects,
improper operation, fatigue, and other circumstances
may occur. Because the exercises in the field did not
take place, this item cannot be quantified. A similar
situation could arise during the exercises on
simulators, when STT can be damaged for various
reasons. During this exercise no damage was
observed so in case of CAX, the value of Nu is zero.
Authors’ ten-year experience from CSTT shows that
the costs incurred for repairs of damage and defects
are usually in the order of tens of thousands per year
and are negligible compared to general engine
overhaul, for instance.
Tab.4 Prices of individual items according to the
calculations of the costs
CAX terrain
Na1 5 650 595 000
Na2 0 1 600 000
Nb25 000 0
Nt1 570 10560
Np320 000 0
Nm0 7 830 000
Ns42 625 793 275
Nh44 000 0
Nu0 0
Nn0 0
k1 1
Ncv 438 845 10 828 835
2.3 CONCLUSION
The calculation methodology, or rather its model,
was created mainly for the purposes of calculating or
competently estimating and comparing the
efficiency of various types of exercises
(constructive, virtual, live) with each other. The
model represents generalized empiricism of possible
assessment of costs of preparation (training) of
military professionals. The authors of this model are
well aware that the calculation can be used for
calculating the costs of individual exercises, and
thus can be used as a comparison of costs of
individual training methods. The model does not
evaluate the efficiency of training as such. The
original reason for the creation of the model was the
effort to find convincing arguments to justify why it
is appropriate, in a given stage of development of
the Czech army, to prefer that type of exercise in
terms of available source framework, or search the
borderline from which the given type of exercise
(using a constructive and virtual simulation) is
comparable in costs to "traditional" field
preparation; i.e. when the use of simulation and
training technologies does not bring the desired
effect of savings funds. Under certain circumstances,
this model can be also used for prediction (qualified
estimate) of the amount of money necessary for
training of military professionals in the Czech army.
The results of the first calculations confirm the
general assumptions about the financial advantages
of training with the use of simulation technology.
The ratio between the field exercise and exercise
using tactical simulator approximately rises to 25:1.
The calculated values for individual variables,
including total costs, are presented in Table 4. Based
on the calculation of one selected exercise, with
simplification of some of the assumptions and with
average values substituted in the formulas; the value
cannot be taken as final. But already now it is
possible to claim with great certainty that the costs
of training on the simulator do not exceed 10% of
the estimated costs of the same training in the field.
On the other hand, one cannot neglect the number of
participants of the exercise who gain valuable
experience during the training. During the field
training, the whole unit, including all levels of
command and control undertake training; as well as
coordination, all the principles and tactical drills are
practiced and trained. In tactical exercises on the
simulator, it is only staff and partially commanders
of subordinate units who undergo the training.
Therefore, the field training will be irreplaceable
also in future and it will be the responsibility of the
governing bodies of the army to find balance
between training in the field and training using
simulation technology.
Acknowledgement
The research results presented were supported
within the project of Security Research for the
Needs of the State “Simulation technology
utilization in emergency management staff education
and training” supported by the Ministry of Interior
of the Czech Republic and within the project for
development of Military geography and meteorology
supported by the Ministry of Defence of the Czech
Republic.
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Contact
maj. Ing. Martin HUBÁČEK, Ph.D.
Department of Military Geography and Meteorology
University of Defence, Brno
E-mail: martin.hubacek@unob.cz
doc. Ing. Vladimír VRÁB, CSc.
Center of Simulation and Training Technologies Brno
E-mail: vladimir.vrab@unob.cz
