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CDURS

Combat Damage Usability Rating System — a standardised usability scale for battlefield equipment

The Rating Scale

1
CL · Catastrophic Loss

Completely non-functional and irreparable. Not even salvageable parts remain.

2
NF · Non-functional

Non-functional but some salvageable parts may remain. Repairs not feasible.

3
SI · Severely Impaired

Critical functions unusable. Repairs require extensive resources — effectively a financial loss.

4
LF · Limited Functionality

Performance significantly reduced; some essential functions still operational. Repairs possible.

5
MU · Marginal Usability

Basic functions operational but performance noticeably diminished. Repairs feasible in a reasonable timeframe.

6
PU · Partial Usability

Partially usable. Includes immobilised or stuck vehicles without critical component damage. Recovery required.

7
UL · Usable with Limitations

Mostly operational; some non-critical features affected. Repairs achievable within standard maintenance.

8
FU · Fully Usable

All primary functions effective. Minor repairs may be necessary; remains highly operational.

9
RP · Resilient Performance

Minimal damage; operates near original capabilities. Only minor maintenance required.

10
UA · Unaffected

Completely unaffected by combat damage. Operates at full capacity without any degradation.

About CDURS

The Combat Damage Usability Rating System (CDURS) is a damage assessment rating developed for this website to better compare the state of battlefield losses. It rates military equipment on a scale of 1 to 10, providing clear insights into condition and functionality following battlefield encounters.

Why CDURS over BDA?

  • Holistic usability assessment — considers both the extent of damage and the overall functionality, accounting for partial usability and varying degrees of impairment.
  • Catastrophic loss recognition — explicitly acknowledges when equipment is completely non-functional and beyond repair.
  • Unique situations — addresses scenarios beyond direct combat damage, such as equipment stuck in terrain or flipped upside down.
  • Granular ten-level scale — finer-grained than a binary functional/non-functional approach, enabling nuanced understanding.
  • Ease of implementation — integrates into existing procedures and provides a standardised system across units and contexts.
  • Accessible to non-specialists — designed to be understood by reporters and the general public, not only military personnel.
  • Rapid at-a-glance assessment — enables on-the-spot decision-making and supports computational data-driven analyses.

By adopting CDURS, military personnel and conflict observers gain reliable, comparable insights into the operational capabilities of equipment — enabling informed decision-making in dynamic combat situations.

Examples

M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank6 — PU

Assessment

  1. External observation: turret operational; exterior hull shows minor dents and scratches; no visible damage to engine or fuel systems.
  2. Interior inspection: crew compartment intact; all crew safe; communication systems operational.
  3. Mobility: immobilised — stuck in a deep trench. Hull floor and suspension damaged but repairable.
  4. Primary functions: main gun and secondary weapons operational; targeting systems fully functional.
  5. Protection: composite armour effective; reactive armour partially depleted in impact areas.

Decision

Rated 6 — Partial Usability (PU). Core functions are intact and the crew is protected. Recovery is required to free the tank from the trench, after which it can be restored to full operational capacity.

BMP Infantry Fighting Vehicle4 — LF

Assessment

  • Hull damage: significant structural damage from enemy fire; compromised integrity poses crew risk and reduces protection.
  • Suspension: reduced performance affects mobility and stability; repair and maintenance required.
  • Weapon system: primary weapons operational but accuracy and firing rate slightly reduced.

Decision

Rated 4 — Limited Functionality (LF). The vehicle can fulfil some core functions but its effectiveness and survivability are significantly diminished. Immediate repairs to hull and suspension are required before further deployment in high-risk environments.

Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tank2 — NF

Assessment

  • Fire damage: ammunition fire caused extensive damage to hull, turret bustle, and external fuel tanks. Front nearly fully burned out; rear suffered only minor damage.
  • Structural integrity: critically compromised; critical components irreparably damaged.
  • Operational capability: unable to fire, manoeuvre, or protect crew. Complete loss of operability.

Decision

Rated 2 — Non-functional (NF). The tank is beyond repair. Some salvageable parts may exist but the overall operational capability is gone, making it unfit for rehabilitation.