MINI FOIL (Fleet Optimum Inventory Level): An Alternative Linear Programming Model to Optimize the Fleet Mix.
Abstract
Fleet Optimum Inventory Level (FOIL) is a linear programming model which determines the optimum helicopter fleet mix. Its objective is to optimize a measure of operational usefulness called utiles subject to constraints involving attrition, manufacturers' production capacity, fleet operating requirements, and cost. The original FOIL incorporates both separable programming (to approximate the non-linear production cost learning curve) and integer programming (to control attrition and the phases of production). Unfortunately, the linear programming package recently installed at this command does not accommodate both integer and separable programming at the same time and therefore renders the original FOIL model inoperative. MINI-FOIL has been devised as an alternative model to determine the optimum fleet mix. MINI-FOIL retains the separable programming features to approximate learning curve costs but deletes integer programming. As a result, MINI-FOIL cannot address attrition, and it also loses much of the flexibility of the original FOIL model. The procurement quantities recommended will therefore have somewhat less validity than the quantities suggested by the original FOIL model. Despite these shortcomings, however, MINI-FOIL can still serve as a useful tool to determine an optimal procurement strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA175057
Entities
People
- Robert B. Greiner
Organizations
- United States Army Aviation and Missile Command