Optimizing VLS Firing Policy: An Enumeration of Heterogeneous Sequences to Inform Expenditure
Abstract
The U.S. Navy (USN) utilizes the Vertical Launch System (VLS) to store and launch both theiroffensive and defensive missiles. Since the number of VLS silos on a given ship is fixed, tomaximize offensive capability, the USN needs to minimize the number of interceptors required tocombat incoming anti-surface missiles. Current firing policies may be overly conservative and expend toomany interceptors per incoming threat, which results in a substantial fraction of VLS silos dedicated todefensive missiles. Decision makers need an analysis tool to explore the trade-off between missileconsumption and probability of raid annihilation (PRA) for various firing policies and would also benefitfrom a prescriptive algorithm to help inform missile expenditure. This thesis provides a model to optimizeVLS firing policy using a set of multiple interceptor types while accounting for range limitations, traveltime, multi-interceptor salvos, battle damage assessment, and range dependent probability of kill.Additionally, the thesis derives analytical results for the optimal, lowest-cost allocation of interceptorsin the single interceptor case, which, in turn, generates insight into how to structure sequential salvos.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1165020
Entities
People
- Steel J Templin
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School