Analysing the resilience of military supply network and simulation against disruptions. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Qingzhong; Xiong, Biao; Li, Bixin; Huang, Jin; Lu, Sixi
• Is Part Of: International journal of engineering systems modelling and simulation. Volume 8:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: military supply networks -- supply growth modelling -- network resilience -- network disruptions -- logistics defence forces -- simulation -- key units priority -- cost minimisation priority -- taxonomy -- resilience metrics -- targeted disruptions -- supply efficiency -- adaptability -- random disruptions -- military supply chains -- supply chain management -- SCM; Engineering systems -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Engineering systems -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 620.0042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-9758

Abstract

In this paper, we study the effectiveness of military supply systems in complex and uncertain environment from the perspective of complex network topologies. Our goal is to provide insights on how to explore military supply networks and analyse the networks' resilience against different disruptions. We first propose an analysis process of the resilience for military supply networks. Then, we present two military supply growth models - key units priority (KUP) growth model and cost minimisation priority (CMP) growth model based on real military supply activities, which can be used to generate two military supply networks. We also present a new taxonomy of resilience metrics for military supply networks. Through computer simulation, we find that KUP supply network has poorer resilience against targeted disruptions but higher supply efficiency compared with other networks. While the connectivity of demand nodes in CMP supply network has better adaptability, it is of lower supply efficiency against both random and targeted disruptions. Through analysis, we can provide decision-makers with references when they choose supply patterns and deploy logistics defence forces.